- Pilot in Command of African Parks aircraft within the country, including Cessna 206, Cessna 182 and ICP Savannah aircraft.
- Safe and compliant flights supporting the following aerial support missions, including but not limited to logistic support flights, passenger flights, surveillance / reconnaissance flights, survey flights, research flights and general aerial support.
- Ensure all aerial support flights within the region are within the prescribed legal limitations, aircraft performance limits and aircrew experience limitations.
- Manage and ensure all aircraft, aircrew and infrastructure in country are in compliance with the legal prescripts and African Parks SOPs.
- Manage and ensure all relevant operating permits are valid and in place, take the lead in organizing national clearances and flight permits.
- Manage and ensure efficient and effective fleet aircraft maintenance, fuel management, spare parts management, and aviation stock and consumables in country.
- Active safety and risk management for aerial and ground support operations.
- Organize and coordinate any work that needs to be done on aircraft.
- Ensure all aviation support structures, infrastructure and maintenance facilities including hangars, refueling systems and hangars are maintained and complies with the legal prescripts and the African Parks SOPs and technical standards.
- Duties to include the daily cleaning and continued care of all aircraft and aviation facilities / infrastructure.
- Procurement and sourcing of equipment or parts that might be needed through the official procurement channels.
- Assist with annual budget calculations and assure operations are within agreed budgets. Continuous evaluation of operations and expenditure to ensure cost effective operations and budget compliance.
- Assist in evaluation and implementation of new and planned aviation platforms and how these are to be used in order to function as force multipliers, this may include manned and unmanned aircraft.
- Assure that all paperwork is filed properly, completed, archived, and stored digitally.
- Assure that all metrics related to business processes, data-driven management, and namely AP Reporter, are completed and delivered by their deadlines.
- Perform other duties as assigned and contribute to the success of the park’s operations in the region.
- Take the lead with recruitment and management of pilots and relief pilots.
- Required licenses issued by the applicable Civil Aviation authority, with ratings/certification on Cessna 206, Cessna 182 and ICP Savannah aircraft.
- SACAA Commercial Pilots Licence.
- Valid and current instructors rating with demonstrable experience as instructor will be advantageous.
- Minimum 1500 hrs. Total fixed wing flight, incl. min. 500 hrs. Bush experience.
- Valid and current instrument flight rating.
- Valid and current Class 1 medical certificate.
- Minimum 3 years aviation oversight / management experience.
- Willing to be based in a remote area with minimal infrastructure and support.
- Experienced doing routine maintenance of aircraft, Rotax, Continental and Lycoming engines (as allowed for in the applicable Civil Aviation Regulations and the African Parks Aviation SOPs) would be an asset.
- Excellent organizational, analytical, oral and written communications skills in English and if not at the time of employment fluent in french, proving the capacity to learn French within 12 months of taking up duty.
- Strong initiative, perseverance, and resilience.
- Good team player with experience working with multicultural teams.
- Strong personal integrity and dependability.
- Knowledge and passion for conservation and wildlife.
- Strong commitment to safe, efficient and compliant remote aerial operations