LAW ENFORCEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY CO-ORDINATOR

LAW ENFORCEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY CO-ORDINATOR – LETEC JOB PROFILE

Department: Conservation Landscapes

Location: Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, Uganda

Contract Type: Full-time two-year contract, renewable dependent on performance

Direct Reports: UWA Law Enforcement Staff

Reporting to: Pian Upe Reserve Manager

Rotation: 10 weeks on/3 weeks off

About Us

Space for Giants is an international conservation organization, based in Africa, founded in 2011. Our mission is to protect the natural ecosystems on which Africa’s large wild animals depend, ensuring they are valued by local people. We currently work in 11 countries across Central, East, and Southern Africa, focusing on some of the most pressing challenges facing the conservation of megafauna today. We have three thematic pillars of work to achieve our mission which are: 1) The protection and management of natural ecosystems and associated value creation for local citizens; 2) Combating the illegal wildlife trade; and 3) Promoting Human-Wildlife Coexistence. We pride ourselves on our highly collaborative approach with national governments, recognizing the importance of being relevant to elected leaders and their constituents, and striving to ensure that our conservation work is aligned with their priorities. Grounded in world-class science, we bring high-quality technical expertise and experience to inform and deliver our conservation programmes, wherever we work. We also pride ourselves on being adaptable and nimble to respond quickly to emerging opportunities and evolving challenges in a very dynamic space. To read more visit: www.spaceforgiants.org

Role Summary

This position will oversee Law Enforcement Technical Development and Implementation together with managing the logistics in the Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve (PUWR) as detailed below. The position falls under the overall joint leadership of the Government appointed Uganda Wildlife Authority Senior Warden in Charge and the SFG Reserve Manager for PUWR, with reporting through the latter. The position will ensure that the Reserve LE technical operations and associated physical infrastructure and logistics run smoothly to ensure that the other Departments are supported, monitored, and trained to make optimal use of the available technology to implement the Reserve management plan and fulfill the conservation objectives.

Job Description

1. Scope of Work

This position requires an individual with the ability to develop strong relationships at all levels and commitment to ensuring the cohesion and success of the PUWR teams through the development of technical capacity to support operations, and training on and monitoring their implementation. With solid protected area technologies and associated logistics experience, the individual has the discipline to use and embed best practice management tools and systems and to confidently lead a diverse team. This position requires a proven background in protected area management in Africa, and a commitment to transfer skills and knowledge to national staff.

Liaison: Heads of the Departments of Administration and Finance, Law Enforcement Warden, Community Conservation Manager and Warden, Tourism Warden, and various other PUWR functional Units.

Supervision: Ranger commander and Rangers, Earthranger technicians, Earthranger

controllers, Conservation Pilot, Infrastructure Development Manager, Fleet & Workshop Manager, and other positions relating to Reserve technology and logistics.

Expected travel: The position is expected to travel as necessary within Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, as well as to undertake some national and international travel, as required.

Executive Role: Senior member of the PUWR management team (with the PUWR Senior Warden in Charge, Reserve Manager, and other Department heads)

2. Key Responsibilities

This position is ultimately responsible for effectively and successfully:

General

• Managing all the LE technological aspects of Reserve operations including the implementation of Earthranger, Trail Guard or equivalent, VHF radio systems, ITC support, vehicle and patrol tracking systems, wildlife satellite tracking, weather stations, GIS, etc., and conducting training using all methods of instruction including practical field-based exercises and monitoring of the systems to ensure that all data sources are used to their maximum to enhance the PUWR law enforcement (LE) and conservation presence within the Reserve.
• Overseeing Reserve logistics systems and arrangements as per agreed plans and strategies for PUWR.
• Managing Law Enforcement Control room planning and logistics, including PUWR Firearm and Ranger Equipment Maintenance.
• Building and leading a strong, cohesive LE team In conjunction with the LE Warden to achieve quarterly and annual targets, whilst still responding and adapting to changing situations on the ground.
• Maintaining productive communications with all parties, including internal communications with the Project Manager for PUWR, team members, other Department and Unit heads, and external communications with all Reserve partners and concessions operators to leverage synergies and maximize effectiveness, and to reduce conflicts.
• Strengthening policies, procedures, and systems and ensuring compliance to optimize the use of technologies in PUWR.

Supporting Operations

1. Oversee the implementation of coordinated LE monitoring and evaluation systems (Earthranger) and assist LE Management with the preparation and briefing of patrol deployments including the development of SOPs and to conduct training with the relevant staff. Ensure compliance with SOPs is being monitored to ensure effective operations, with particular reference to the optimization of the use of technologies.
2. Oversee the implementation of coordinated management reserve-wide field use of technology with staff, tourism operators, local authorities, and communities as per the Reserve management plan, or as per annual plans, such as LE, fire management, and infrastructure.
3. Oversee aviation operations (fixed-wing and helicopter as available) to ensure appropriate use, logistical support, and effective risk management, i.e., full implementation of PUWR policies and procedures, and related strategies and plans for PUWR and ensure that data collection technology is fed into the LE and conservation planning processes.
4. Oversee fleet management so that these effectively and efficiently serve the logistical requirements of the PUWR staff and visitors according to agreed standards and operating procedures.
5. Oversee infrastructure development to optimize the use of technology to support the purpose for which they exist. Contribute to providing technological, logistical support, and training to LE activities implemented in the broader conservation context relevant to PUWR, including areas outside PUWR.
6. Contribute to providing technical and logistical support to conservation, community development, and tourism activities implemented by PUWR staff and partners.
7. Oversee and conduct training of Rangers, including medical, physical, weapons, and other related skills relevant to the Rangers being able to effectively perform their duties.
8. Assist the Law Enforcement Warden with coordinating intelligence-driven patrol management.
9. Accompany Rangers and Senior LE officials in the field to evaluate effectiveness and provide real-time support

Management

1. Oversee the management and HR development of all PUWR, LE, Technical, and Logistics staff that use technological tools in their daily work (including mentoring, supervision, performance management, and staff development).
2. Ensure a positive working environment to maintain PUWR staff motivation and commitment.
3. Ensure all staff members in field operations are equipped with the appropriate tools equipment and clothing to perform their job.
4. To train Nationals to perform these duties to develop Ugandan National capacity.

Collaboration

1. Maintain excellent communications and coordination with the PUWR Senior Warden in Charge, PUWR Reserve Manager, and LE Warden to ensure that all overall management of all PUWR LE and logistical operations are functioning efficiently.
2. Build relationships, coordination, and communication mechanisms, with the tourism operators and relevant local authorities and communities, working in close liaison with the Reserve Manager and PUWR Senior Warden in Charge, of Reserve-wide technological developments, communication systems, and logistics.

Risk Management

1. Support the development and maintenance of technological solutions related to risk management

Compliance Management

1. Implement and uphold Reserve management policies, procedures, and internal regulations.
2. Assist the Reserve manager in attaining PUWR compliance with SFG LE protocols with regard to LE operations and activities
3. Operate in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Uganda, the Reserve internal regulations, and the policies and procedures of Space for Giants.

Planning and Reporting

1. Assist in the Development of the PUWR annual operations plan and budget that is submitted to the Reserve Management Committee for approval.
2. Prepare and/or contribute to reports as per the agreed reporting schedule.

Strategy

1. Participate in the development, implementation, and monitoring of all PUWR strategies and contribute actively to continuous improvement to achieve better results.

7. Additional Responsibilities

• Cultural Sensitivity: Adapt approaches to local conditions, understanding Uganda’s unique wildlife dynamics and community needs.

This TOR will be reviewed and updated as necessary to reflect changes in operational needs or organizational priorities.

Culture and Values

1. Drive the Organisational Culture to internal and external Stakeholders
2. Conduct oneself and encourage team behavior to create awareness and reinforce Organisational Vision, Values, and Culture Contract

Any other relevant tasks related to the role as directed by the Supervisor

Person Specification

Key Skills: Experienced in project management impact measurement, Efficient, hard-working, Driven, Innovative, and Organized.

Uphold the cultural values and code of conduct of Space for Giants: Passion, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability, and Innovation.

Experience, Knowledge & Competencies

• Educational Background: A university degree in Wildlife Management or Military experience is an advantage.
• Experience:
• More than seven years of experience leading, developing, and managing programs / large-scale projects.
• More than seven years in practical protected area development and management of technical operations with proven results in installation, data recovery, implementation, training, and mapping to provide accurate assessment of information and capability to optimize the use of field resources
• Skills and Competencies:
  • Demonstrated experience in MS Office (particularly Word and Excel), QGIS, SMART, Earthranger, Garmin, and VHF Management software. Ability to manipulate, analyze and interpret data.
  • Strong supervisory and team management experience, including the ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, and manage the performance of a multidisciplinary team.
  • Demonstrated experience in successfully building the skills and knowledge of others.
  • Knowledge of and experience with evaluation and governance processes for programs/projects.
  • Skilled at building consensus with conservation partners and other stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated ability to independently initiate, structure, negotiate and manage complex agreements, and to resolve complex issues that involve multiple program areas.
  • Willingness to rapidly gain an understanding of the institutional and legal framework of the environment and conservation in Uganda, as well as of relevant policy issues.
  • Knowledge or demonstrated interest in current trends in conservation and natural resource protection, experience, and proven ability in applying this knowledge to set and achieve conservation priorities.
  • Fluency in English. Swahili has an advantage—willingness to learn if not.
  • Excellent presentation and written/oral communication skills.
  • Ability to foster an environment of creativity and professional growth, commitment to working collegially with staff, conservation groups, and governmental organizations professionally and diplomatically.
  • Flexibility, optimism, good humour, passion for excellence, self-motivated to achieve a collective purpose.
  • Ability to work in remote locations.