Born Free Foundation - Keep Wildlife in the Wild

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Volunteering and jobs at the Centre

Three-week to three-month opportunities are available for enthusiastic individuals who would like to help a new, exciting project in the heart of Malawi. The Lilongwe Wildlife Centre is being developed to care for the country's orphaned and injured animals; the mission being to return them to the wild wherever possible. The facility offers a unique opportunity for Malawians and international visitors to better understand and appreciate wildlife conservation, animal rehabilitation and the threats that the country’s wildlife faces and what they can do to conserve it. See the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre page for more details about the work being done by this project.

Volunteers can chose from a variety of tasks working alongside their Malawian counterparts, including feeding, cleaning, enrichment, veterinary care, research, fundraising and education. A recently developed programme also offers opportunities for volunteers to join a community outreach team that will be taking environmental, health and conservation education into rural schools and communities. The programme shall also provide veterinary care for rural community domestic animals and animal welfare education. All volunteer contributions go directly to feeding and caring for the animals.

Additional adventures in Malawi

In partnership with Land and Lake Safaris (www.landlake.net), the Wildlife Centre is able to offer its volunteers very special rates to one of Africa's finest National Parks, South Luangwa National Park (Zambia) and opportunities to dive on Lake Malawi; prices that will make your financial contribution to the project even more worthwhile. For more information visit the Volunteer Support Info page, or to apply please contact the project directly.

Job Vacancy

Job Title: Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, General Manager

Reporting to: The Board of Trustees - Lilongwe Wildlife Trust

Location: Lilongwe, Malawi

Job Objectives:

The Lilongwe Wildlife Centre is looking to employ a General manager to lead, develop and manage the activities of the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre in close collaboration with the Centre's Senior Management Team and other staff members. To move the Centre to a position of financial sustainability, to manage and deliver the Centre's business plan, to undertake fundraising, to develop and empower staff, to ensure overall adherence to the Born Free Foundation’s PAW philosophy* and to liase with the Malawi Wildlife Department, sponsors and visitor audiences on Centre activities.

Core Responsibilities:

1. Managing and developing a senior management team of full-time staff in areas including animal care & veterinary; wildlife rescue, rehabilitation & release; education & community outreach; marketing & PR; accounts and construction & maintenance. They in turn to manage their relevant teams.
2. Developing the Centre’s annual operating budgets (income & expenditure) and ensuring adherence to these by all Managers and that new income streams are secured.
3. Developing and implementing the Centre's Business Plan to ensure financial sustainability is achieved.
4. Liaison with the Malawi Wildlife Department to arrange for the confiscation and rescue of wild animals when appropriate, their rehoming at the Centre, rehabilitation and subsequent release back into the wild.
5. Ensuring all Centre activities and outputs, along with all staff members, uphold and propagate the philosophy of the People and Wildlife (PAW) Centre principles* by constantly striving for excellence in the areas of animal welfare, community support, education, marketing, finances and in delivering a responsible and appropriate visitor experience.
6. Overseeing the delivery of the monthly accounts and business plan reconciliation reporting systems and ensuring prompt delivery of audited annual accounts.
7. Regular reporting to the Board of Trustees of the Lilongwe Wildlife Trust.
8. Liaison with the Born Free Foundation, the Centre’s core sponsor and founder & owner of the PAW concept.
9. Development of new funding strategies and the attracting of international sponsors.
10. The effective management of the Centre's Senior Management team and the development, motivation and welfare of all staff members at the Centre.
11. To develop a culture of innovation, empowerment and excellence at the Centre.

Core Competencies:

• The jobholder must have experience and knowledge of working in an African environment and context.
• Entrepreneurial flair and spirit.
• Business background.
• They must have experience and an understanding of the importance of pro-active financial management, fundraising, commerciality and business planning.
• Must have a passion for the Centre’s aims and a strong ambition to move these forward both on the 'people' and 'wildlife' fronts.
• Needs to be an effective leader, a team player, and have proven experience of managing and empowering a Senior Management team, leading them to further success.
• Able to work under pressure and to deadlines.
• Have excellent written and communication skills (the work of the centre will need presenting to visitors, sponsors, collaborating partners, etc.).
• Must be flexible, adaptable, and capable of developing innovative and practical solutions to challenges, along with having attention to detail.

This is a full time role based at the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre in Malawi. The jobholder must be prepared to work evenings and weekends when needed.  Accommodation will be provided on a shared house basis with other Centre Managers. A full passport and clean driving license are required.

Salary and benefits negotiable according to relevant skills and experience.

Start Date: June 1st 2010.

Application Process: Please send a cover letter summarising your interest and relevant skills and experience for this role along with your CV including the names and contact details of 2 referees (one to be your current employer, the other someone familiar with your work) to: Mark Sprong, Chair of Trustees - Email: mark@landlake.net

Closing Date for Applications:  12 noon Friday 9^th April 2010. 

*For further information: See www.lilongwewildlife.org and http://www.bornfree.org.uk/campaigns/paw-centres/lilongwe-wildlife-centre/