Akagera Management Company Ltd
Job Title: Assistant Conservation & Research Manager
Organization: Akagera Management Company (AMC Ltd)
Location: Akagera National Park, Rwanda
Employment Type: Full-time
Reports To: Conservation & Research Manager
Starting Date: 1 July 2026
Application Deadline: 5 June 2026 at 23:59 CAT
About Akagera Management Company
Akagera Management Company Ltd (AMC Ltd) was created as a partnership between the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and African Parks Network (APN) to manage Akagera National Park. AMC Ltd is seeking to recruit an experienced candidate for the position of Assistant Conservation & Research Manager to assist the Conservation & Research Department of Akagera National Park, contribute to ecological monitoring and conservation efforts in the park, and engage with and support research projects, both local and international.
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
About the Role
Akagera National Park (ANP) seeks to continue advancing the park’s conservation success through strong management, research, and data-driven interventions. In line with this vision, Akagera National Park seeks to hire an experienced Assistant Conservation & Research Manager to assist conservation research, data collection, and ecological monitoring, with potential to grow as manager.
The Assistant Manager will contribute to special projects and conservation initiatives and provide informed input into wildlife management decisions. They will play an active role in building the ecological and scientific understanding of the Akagera ecosystem and in supporting collaborations with external researchers and educational institutions.
Within the park, the Assistant Manager will support other departments through data sharing and collaboration. The candidate must be organized and responsible, contributing to the documentation and filing of initiatives including progress and annual reports on projects, and wildlife and ecological management plans.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the facilitation and assist with the management of conservation research, data collection, and ecological monitoring across ANP.
- Contribute to special projects, conservation initiatives, and provide data-supported input into wildlife management decisions.
- Assist in increasing the ecological and scientific understanding of the Akagera ecosystem and in supporting research collaborations with external researchers and educational institutions.
- Support other departments through data sharing and collaboration.
- Contribute to the documentation and filing of all research and monitoring initiatives, including progress and annual reports on projects, and wildlife and ecological management plans.
- Assist as a Data Focal Point by helping to gather, organize, and interpret data across departments, including core metrics.
- Contribute meaningfully to the development and implementation of ANP’s Long-Term Sustainability Strategies and associated planning spreadsheets, research frameworks, monitoring programmes, and multi-year business plans.
- Apply practical field knowledge to assess the feasibility of proposed research projects and to provide hands-on support in the field.
- Work in the field with trackers and other members of the law enforcement department as needed.
Major Areas of Responsibility and Key Targets
- Support planning, design, and implementation of data-collection activities to answer key ecological questions.
- Assist in collating data from various collection efforts, other departments, and external sources to inform management decisions.
- Ensure all assigned reports are submitted on time and correctly; compile and summarize data.
- Contribute to improving processes of data collection, compilation, and generation of outputs to serve management decisions.
- Uphold professionalism in the Conservation & Research Department and in all staff interactions.
- Participate in activities that promote understanding of ecology and instill pride in conservation in communities.
- Monitor key species and support protection of wildlife, including black rhino, lion, elephant, and giraffe.
- Support the update and implementation of management plans for key species and programmes.
- Contribute meaningfully to the development, updating, and implementation of ANP’s Long-Term Sustainability Strategies.
- Apply practical field knowledge to evaluate feasibility of proposed research projects.
- Support student interns and external researchers; help build relationships with external educational and research institutions.
- Contribute to annual budget development for conservation and research activities.
- Ensure security of all company research assets and prioritize safety in the workplace.
Qualifications Required
Education
- Minimum of a Graduate degree in Ecology, Wildlife Management, Conservation, or equivalent.
Experience
- Minimum of 2 to 3 years of relevant experience in ecology, conservation, wildlife management, and related research.
- Experience working in protected areas or National Parks.
- Demonstrated experience contributing to long-term sustainability strategies, business planning processes, or multi-year conservation planning documents.
- Demonstrated practical field knowledge to evaluate feasibility of proposed research projects and to provide hands-on field support (including support to law enforcement tracking teams).
Skills and Abilities
- Fluent in English and Kinyarwanda.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently under pressure and be flexible.
- Demonstrated ability to work in difficult conditions, including remote wilderness areas.
- Demonstrated computer literacy, including MS Office, computer-based statistical packages (RStudio or equivalent), and GIS tools (ArcGIS, QuickCapture, Survey123) with outputs to evidence competency.
- Demonstrated experience with camera traps, VHF telemetry, handheld GPS units, and other related conservation technologies.
- Outstanding and demonstrated teamwork skills and ability to form solid working relationships.
- Clean record of conduct (no convictions).
- Physically fit and able to be in the field for extended periods (to undergo fitness and medical annually).
- Between 20 and 35 years of age.
- Ability to swim.
- Driver’s license and experience driving on dirt roads or off-road.
- Rwandan national.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with wildlife health topics and experience working on veterinary interventions.
- Experience designing and managing budgets.
- Leadership skills and experience.
- A Master’s degree in Ecology, Wildlife Management, Conservation, or equivalent.
What Success Looks Like in 3 Years
- Data capturing tools and protocols are maintained; data is easily accessible and contributes to park management decisions.
- Data develops species lists and informs population estimates for species found in ANP.
- Key ecological questions are answered regarding carrying capacity, predator-prey relationships, and ecological health.
- Scientific questions are answered at a complex level to inform management decisions.
- Management plans for key species and programmes are supported and updated.
- Long-Term Sustainability Strategies and associated planning spreadsheets, research frameworks, and monitoring programmes are active and updated.
- Multiple student internships created to build capacity for future Rwandan conservationists and scientists.
- Support the Law Enforcement Department through sharing relevant data and information.
- Continue to improve and develop research capacities and facilities at ANP.
- Incorporate more conservation technologies and build capacity for Rwandan conservationists.
- Assist and support the law enforcement department in the field.
- Engage with communities through data sharing and educational programmes.
- Minimum accidents.
Who May Apply
This opportunity is ideal for conservation professionals with a strong ecological background, practical field experience in protected areas or conservation research, and strong problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
Please submit a cover letter highlighting how you fit the qualifications for this role, and a CV with names and contact information of at least two references. In your cover letter, please include your relevant achievements and a summary of your research and fieldwork experiences.
Please refrain from using AI to write cover letters; this will be checked.
Application Email: emmae@africanparks.org
Application Deadline: 5 June 2026
Important Notes
- Applicants who do not meet the criteria will not be considered.
- Only candidates with the required qualifications and relevant experience will be shortlisted.
- If you do not hear from us within one week after the submission deadline, please know that you have not been shortlisted.
- Shortlisted applicants will be contacted to complete a competency exam and interview as part of the recruitment process.
- This position requires the applicant to live in or close to the park.
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