Infrastructure Development Engineer

Job Title:              Infrastructure Development Engineer
Location:              Niokolo-Koba National Park, Senegal
Duration:             1 year, renewable
Department:       Conservation Action, West and Central Africa Regional Hub
 

Summary:

Panthera Senegal is looking for a motivated and dedicated full time Infrastructure Development Engineer in our long-term program to support the Directorate of National Parks (DPN) in the protection and management of Niokolo-Koba National Park in Senegal. The program has seen a substantial expansion in recent years, which justifies the recruitment of a full time IM to support the various activities implemented in the park, including infrastructure development (roads, bridges and ranger posts) to support surveillance and ecological monitoring. The IM will be based at the Assirik field base inside the park, and will also be required to spend time in other remote parts of the park. He/she will also need to carry out occasional trips to the Niokolo-Koba NP Headquarters in the town of Tambacounda and to Dakar, to liaise with Panthera and DPN staff and to assist with the procurement, importation and maintenance of project equipment. Candidates are required to be physically fit and must be used to working in remote and challenging field conditions.

Project Background:

Since 2011, Panthera has gradually developed a partnership with the local wildlife authority, the Directorate of National Parks (DPN), to support the protection and management of Niokolo-Koba National Park. In 2017, Panthera built a permanent project base in NKNP, and has been gradually expanding its support to park protection and management since then. One of the main components of Panthera’s support is the development and maintenance of crucial park infrastructure such as roads, bridges, ranger posts, and air strips.

Position Objectives

To support and strengthen infrastructure works in the park, we seek an experienced Infrastructure Development Engineer. The position will be based at the newly built Assirik Base in the remote South-East of the park. The base is equipped with a 10-kw solar system, borehole, office space and accommodation for a team of 20 rangers and other park management and research staff. The IM will be responsible for the maintenance and well-functioning of this vital base. In the remote South-East of the park, Panthera has taken responsibility for all primary park infrastructure developments, and supports the maintenance and improvement of a network of 320 km of park roads. New roads are gradually added in this area, based on infrastructure development plans elaborated with the DPN. The IM will plan, coordinate and supervise such ongoing road works, and will lead the design and construction of new roads, bridges and low-water crossing. He will also interact with suppliers and constructors, leading acquisitions and preparing draft contracts with support from Panthera administration team.

Principal Responsibilities

• Manage the joint Panthera/DPN Assirik Base, including the maintenance of base infrastructure such as buildings, solar installation, communications, borehole, airstrip and hangar. This work will be supported by qualified enterprises if and where needed, yet coordination of maintenance remains with the IM;
• Coordinate the regular maintenance and repairs of the area’s road network, in coordination with the DPN’s infrastructure team;
• Lead the design and development of new park roads and water crossings, based on the infrastructure development plan elaborated with the DPN;
• Lead the design and building of new light ranger bases in remote parts of the park, based on strategic needs developed with the DPN;
• Identify and manage suppliers and constructors, execute purchases of materials and equipment and prepare the relevant draft contracts with support from Panthera administration team.

Qualification Requirements

• Advanced training in the fields of road construction, construction and/or logistics and field operations, and proven experience in these fields of 5 years or more;
• Proven, long-term experience project and team management in Africa;
• A good understanding of electric installation such as solar installations as well as vehicle mechanics, and full driving licence with documented off-road driving experience;
• Knowledge of stock and asset management and procurement procedures;
• A physical ability and willingness to work and live in a demanding field environment. The position will be based inside the national park, in a field camp with limited comfort;
• Fluent in English and French;
• Good organizational skills and a high degree of self-motivation, resistance to frustration and dedication to project objectives;
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team, and lead and develop it where required;
• A strong identification with Panthera’s mission and core values to support conservation efforts in Senegal