Job Title: Field Operations Manager

Organisation: Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

About Organisation:

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is the world’s largest on the ground conservation organization that has been operating in Uganda for more than 60 years. WCS works to conserve biological diversity and ecosystems through applied research, conservation education, and provision of technical assistance to the government of Ugandan while inspiring people to value nature. WCS started operating in Uganda in 1957 supporting the government of Uganda to manage and conserve wildlife.

Job Summary: The Field Operations Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operational running of Ishasha by overseeing procurement, supply chain management, field team management (including fence maintenance teams, bush clearing teams, etc.), transportation, and infrastructure development. Given the challenges of operating in a protected area in remote and challenging environments, the Field Operations Manager must have prior experience managing conservation field operations in a similar context.
This role requires the ability to plan, coordinate, and execute logistical operations under difficult conditions while ensuring all systems align with WCS SOPs and values. Depending on operational needs, the Field Operations Manager will move between the Sector Headquarters and the Country Office and will manage a team of logistics, procurement and support staff.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Operations Planning and Management

Develop and implement annual plans and budgets for all operations, aligned with the park’s five-year strategic plan and annual work plan.
Support and advise heads of department and supervisors to resolve operational challenges efficiently and in a timely manner.
Ensure full adherence to WCS Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across all activities under operational control.
Coordinate with UWA QEPA staff in planning and execution of operations.
Prepare and submit regular operational reports to the Sector Manager, including monthly KPI summaries and progress reports against the operations plan.

Procurement and Supply Chain Management

Oversee procurement processes, in line with WCS SOPs, ensuring efficiency and accountability,
Develop and maintain reliable supply chains to ensure the continuous availability of critical equipment, materials, and consumables,
Work closely with the Finance Manager to ensure all procurement aligns with financial policies and budget constraints,
Recruit and manage procurement and supply chain staff and oversee their work.

Infrastructure Development and Maintenance

Oversee the construction and maintenance of the Sector Headquarters and key park infrastructure, ensuring operational readiness.
Ensure all facilities are built to required specifications and minimum standards, integrating security and sustainability considerations.
Develop a long-term infrastructure maintenance plan to support operational continuity.
Recruit and oversee maintenance staff as necessary.

Logistics and Resource Management

Develop and implement a logistics plan, ensuring the timely supply of food, water, fuel, medical supplies, and other consumables.
Oversee equipment storage and deployment and conduct regular stock inventories.
Establish appropriate storage and stockpiling solutions to mitigate supply chain disruptions.
Ensure emergency reserves are in place for critical supplies.
Oversee arrangements for travel and accommodation for visiting WCS regional and global staff and official visitors

Conservation Field Operations Support

Oversee bush clearing teams, ensuring habitat management, visibility, and access requirements across the Protected Area are met.
Oversee fence maintenance teams, ensuring the boundary fence is maintained to required standards and breaches are promptly identified and repaired.
Coordinate logistical and operational support for ecological monitoring activities, working closely with the Ecology/Research team.
Coordinate logistics for wildlife collaring operations, including transport, equipment, and field support for collaring exercises.
Ensure field teams engaged in conservation management activities are appropriately equipped, trained, and supported.
Transport and Fleet Management
Oversee the acquisition and deployment of a vehicle fleet tailored to the operational terrain.
Implement vehicle maintenance schedules and ensure workshop facilities are established.
Ensure all vehicle operations comply with safety and operational SOPs.
Recruit and oversee drivers and maintenance staff and ensure that all drivers are appropriately trained.

Security and Risk Management

Ensure infrastructure and logistical systems are designed with security considerations in mind, according to the Ishasha Security Plan.
Ensure staff are trained as appropriate in all aspects of WCS safety and security, including first aid.
Work with the Law Enforcement Advisor and UWA counterparts to establish secure storage for equipment, firearms, and sensitive materials.
Implement risk mitigation strategies for supply chain disruptions and infrastructure vulnerabilities.
Coordinate emergency responses to incidents in the field as appropriate, according to the Ishasha Security Plan.
By the end of the start-up phase, the Field Operations Manager will have established a robust logistical framework that ensures operational sustainability, infrastructure resilience, and effective resource management for the Protected Area.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

At least 5 years of experience in logistics, construction, road maintenance, fleet management, and procurement in remote and challenging locations.
Tertiary qualification in construction, logistics, conservation management, business management or a closely related technical field — essential.
Relevant professional certifications in project management, logistics, and/or fleet/mechanical management — desirable.
Ability to work well with local teams and willingness to provide mentorship.
Excellent organizational skills with ability to multi-task and a practical can-do attitude to work.
Good knowledge and understanding of a range of operations technical areas as outlined above.
Practical skills in vehicle maintenance, construction, electrical installations, building maintenance, and other civil engineering tasks are highly desirable.
Experience in wildlife fence construction and maintenance – desirable.
Experience providing logistical or field support to ecological monitoring or wildlife research activities (e.g., collaring, telemetry) – desirable.
Experience working with international organizations, non-profits, or the private sector and proven ability to work in a multicultural environment.
Willingness to live and work in a remote location, with a high degree of resilience and problem-solving ability.
Good written and oral communications.
Fluency in English.
Interest in conservation and commitment to the mission of the Wildlife Conservation Society.