Protected Area Manager

Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program-PNG

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Protected Area Manager, YUS Conservation Area (PNG National)

Position type: Full Time

Reports to: Executive Director, TKCP-PNG

Supervises: Community Conservation Coordinator; Research & Monitoring Coordinator; Ecological Restoration Coordinator; and 6 Conservation Liaison Officers

Location: Based in Lae, Morobe Province with regular travel to the YUS Conservation Area and other target areas throughout the Huon Peninsula

Remuneration: A competitive salary package including family medical coverage, Nasfund contributions, worker’s compensation, and professional development opportunities.

Background:

The Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program has worked with the communities and landowners in the Yopno-Uruwa-Som (YUS) landscape since 1996. Together with YUS landowners and the PNG Government, TKCP helped to establish the country’s first nationally protected Conservation Area in 2009. The YUS Conservation Area provides protection at the landscape scale, wholly owned by local people, and with the support of the PNG Government for long-term protection. The YUS landscape is an area of extremely high biodiversity value but is under pressure from a range of activities including subsistence-level habitat conversion and unsustainable rates of resource use. Today, the YUS Conservation Area and TKCP serve as a national model for community-based conservation in PNG.

Purpose:

The Protected Area Manager plays an integral role in managing conservation efforts and sustainable resource use across the YUS landscape, in partnership with the YUS communities and the PNG government. He/she will develop and maintain effective operations and processes for the effective management of the YUS Conservation Area – facilitating protected area planning and adaptive management via community/stakeholder engagement, monitoring, and research. The Protected Area Manager will serve as a primary point of contact for the YUS Conservation Area Management Committee and will be responsible for the development of workflows and processes supporting targeted management actions and accountability.

The Protected Area Manager will also guide and oversee TKCP’s efforts to facilitate development of Provincial Protected Area Networks, to provide support and coordination for the designation and management of Community Conservation Areas in accordance with the Protected Areas Policy and Act. In particular, these efforts focus on collaboration with Morobe and Madang Provinces targeting the Saruwaget and Finisterre Ranges on the Huon Peninsula.

Summary of key responsibilities

1. Oversight and management of the YUS Conservation Area’s integrated management planning cycles, including community/ward level and landscape-level plans.
2. Provide leadership and direction to TKCP team, stakeholders/partners, and community leaders/landowners in pursuit of alignment between management actions and community/ward level priorities.
3. Facilitate regular review and reflection on the YUS Conservation Area’s management effectiveness strengths, areas for improvement, and priorities. Advise and participate in resource development efforts in response to priority actions.
4. Guide and support the ongoing development and alignment of the YUS Conservation Area’s research and monitoring program, in accordance with priority conservation threats, targets, and management actions.
5. Lead the development of management reporting and decision-making processes within the YUS Conservation Area Management Committee and overall management framework, in support of adaptive management and stakeholder engagement.
6. Facilitate biannual Conservation Management Committee Meeting in consultation with CAMC members.
7. Provide training/mentoring to staff; Identify training needs and development opportunities for Protected Area Management section staff, including 3 technical staff and 30 field-based staff.
8. Provide technical guidance and operational support to technical and field-based staff in the implementation of protected area management best practices: 1) patrol planning, 2) data collection and use, 3) community engagement, and 4) adaptive management.
9. Guide and facilitate coordination and technical assistance for implementation of the YUS Conservation Area Management Plan, and for initiatives undertaken by the YUS Conservation Area Management Committee including gazettal of boundary extensions.
10. Lead stakeholder collaboration and planning for development of a Provincial Protected Area Network, spanning target areas across the Huon Peninsula.
11. Serve on TKCP’s senior management team, providing leadership and guidance regarding program priorities, approaches, and resourcing.
12. Support and facilitate development of grant proposals, project plans, and budgets.
13. Coordinate with relevant TKCP staff to ensure connectivity and coordination among program initiatives in YUS including research, conservation, and community livelihood activities.
14. Develop and maintain effective contacts with a wide range of external contacts and with organizations and individuals who can assist in conservation and biodiversity protection activities. With TKCP’s management team, develop MOUs for collaboration with appropriate organizations in PNG.
15. Undertake regular field visits to project sites to ensure that activities are carried out in accordance to work plan and technical requirements.
16. Represent TKCP and the YUS Conservation Area among local, national, and international stakeholders and partners with regard to protected area management and community conservation initiatives
17. Review existing programming and make recommendations for areas of expansion.
18. Submit monthly, quarterly, and ad hoc reports by collection of information and data from the field, data analysis, and report documentation.

Selection criteria

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, conservation, environmental studies, or related fields (Master’s degree preferred)
• Significant experience (5+ years) with protected areas conservation and/or community-based conservation
• At least 5 years of program/operations management experience, including supervision of staff
• Experience (3+ years) working with an NGO or government agency in increasing positions of reporting and responsibility.
• Competency with using the ArcGIS program, including analysis and map production.
• Confidence and ability to liaise with government officials at all levels, other NGO’s, and with community leaders/landowners
• Demonstrated leadership, supervisory, teamwork, and problem-solving skills
• Experience working with local communities and traveling to remote areas in PNG.
• Physical capabilities for remote field work and hiking in mountainous terrain
• Well- developed interpersonal and communication skills.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and able to meet deadlines. Ability to achieve deliverables and work independently.
• Proficient spoken and written English and Tok Pisin language skills required.
• A demonstrated high work ethic and ability to assume a high level of responsibility
• Commitment to the goals and philosophy of TKCP
• YUS residents are strongly encouraged to apply.

Work Environment: The role will require frequent travels into harsh rugged mountainous terrains and geographical settings and requires a person who has prior experience into very remote community settings as well as someone who is of good physical health.

TKCP is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, colour, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability

Application:

To apply, please email or mail a cover letter addressing each selection criteria, CV, university transcripts, and at least three reference names and contact information, by close-of-business on September 12th 2025. Address application and supporting materials to:

Executive Director

Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program - PNG

PO Box 360

5th Street Professionals Building

Lae, Morobe Province, PNG

Or email to: [email protected]

The position is anticipated to start in October 2025. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis until a successful applicant is identified.

All applicants are encouraged to review the TKCP-PNG website www.zoo.org/treekangaroo.