Project Manager, Development of a new National Park, Equatorial Guinea
Katharina D'Avis
Location: Equatorial Guinea, Central Africa
Position type: full-time
Salary: €29.000 - €36.000 per year + additional benefits
Application deadline: 28 April 2025
About the role
BIOPOLIS-CIBIO, a leading Portuguese research center focused on biodiversity and genetic resources, is seeking a Project Manager for an externally funded, multi-year conservation initiative supported by Rainforest Trust. Based in Equatorial Guinea, this role will lead the establishment and sustainable management of a new 100,000-hectare protected area on the country’s mainland, as part of a five-year collaboration.
The site has been identified due to its exceptional biodiversity value, including populations of chimpanzees, lowland gorillas, and forest elephants, as well as its significant potential for research and ecotourism, given the strategic location near the planned new capital city and a recently established university. The protected area will also enhance ecological connectivity between two nearby protected areas: Altos de Nsork National Park (IUCN Category II; 70,000 ha) and Piedra Nzas Natural Monument (IUCN category; III 19,000 ha). Together, it is the vision of the EG protected areas authority and the Frankfurt Zoological Society, that the three areas will eventually be managed under a co-management framework.
This ambitious project will involve close collaboration with a wide range of national and international partners, including Equatorial Guinea’s protected areas authority, the National Institute for Forestry Development and Management of the Protected Areas System (INDEFOR-AP), the National University of Equatorial Guinea (UNGE) and the Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program (BBPP), the Afro-American University of Central Africa (AAUCA), Nature+, Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS), Wilder Institute, and other relevant government ministries, local authorities, NGOs and local communities.
This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the long-term conservation of one of the Congo Basin’s most critical biodiversity areas while supporting community engagement and sustainable development initiatives.
The successful candidate will lead a dynamic project in coordination with the Portugal-based BIOPOLIS leadership team (especially the Project Director) and other project team members and advisors, to support the creation and development of a new protected area, focusing on long-term sustainability and best-practices throughout.
Key responsibilities
Co-generate and follow project plans dynamically, and support stakeholder engagement, training, and infrastructure development.
Supervise and build the capacity of a local team, in collaboration with partner entities, initially based in the city of Bata and later based closer to the project site, with frequent travel to other locations.
Support strategic and financial planning, ensuring the alignment with project goals.
Lead the development of technical and financial reports, ensuring timely delivery of project deliverables in compliance with donor requirements.
Coordinate monitoring, evaluation and analysis to track project progress and impact.
Oversee the implementation of project deliverables, including conservation activities, biodiversity and social surveys, FPIC (Free, Prior and Informed Consent) processes, participatory mapping, conservation activities, biodiversity and social surveys, alternative income generating activities, and patrolling efforts using SMART.
Provide logistical support for researchers working in the protected area, particularly from BIOPOLIS and other partners.
Foster partnerships with local communities and organizations to address threats like unsustainable development and illegal hunting and understand/address community concerns with the project.
Represent BIOPOLIS and build partnerships to support larger institutional goals and long-term sustainability.
Communicate regularly and transparently with BIOPOLIS’ Equatorial Guinea Program Director, or other relevant parties.
Candidate profile
Desired qualifications & experience:
Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder conservation projects (ideally international donor-funded), including budgeting, planning, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting.
Technical expertise in the planning and implementation of area-based conservation initiatives, biodiversity and/or social field surveys (e.g., FPIC processes), familiarity with international protected area standards and designation processes in Africa; direct experience working with protected area authorities and local communities.
Demonstrated experience managing staff working on multiple facets of a project, including but not limited to creating schedules, payroll, performance review and management, and professional development.
Proven ability to live and work in a remote environment under challenging conditions, particularly in tropical developing countries.
Familiarity with the cultural and social-political dynamics in Central Africa.
Familiarity with SMART (https://smartconservationtools.org/en-us/).
Certificate or training in project management.
Desired skills:
Self-motivated leader with excellent interpersonal skills and experience managing dispersed and diverse/multi-cultural teams.
Collaborative and inclusive mindset, with a focus on co-designing conservation strategies with local stakeholders and balancing conservation goals with local community needs and the unique socio-political context of Equatorial Guinea.
Spanish proficiency, with additional strong English skills preferred. Portuguese and/or French skills may be taken into account if other aspects of the candidate’s application are particularly strong.
Excellent organizational and time management skills, with a keen eye for detail and the ability to prioritize tasks, delegate responsibilities, and manage multiple deadlines effectively.
Strong communication skills, with the ability to present the goals of the project effectively to diverse groups, especially local stakeholders.
Flexibility to adapt to changing project needs and challenges.
Driver’s license and the ability to drive manual transmission vehicles highly preferred.
Find the application details here: https://www.cibio.up.pt/en/jobs/project-manager-m-f-biopolis2025-18-rainforest-trust/