Regional Conservation Director (gn)

About The Project:

The Regional Conservation Director will by responsible for the FZS programmes in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia and Equatorial Guinea. Please visit our website to learn more about our impact, landscapes, and projects: FZS Africa

About The Position:

The Regional Conservation Director will be responsible for our programs in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, and Equatorial Guinea. The post holder will support the implementation of the FZS Africa Strategy by providing strategic oversight, management support, and quality assurance to site-based programs in the Lomami (DRC), Bale (Ethiopia), and Monte Alén (Equatorial Guinea) landscapes.

Working closely with Site Program Managers, the Regional Conservation Director will strengthen conservation performance, organizational effectiveness, and long-term sustainability across the portfolio.

The role serves as the primary link between site-based programs and the wider FZS Africa Department, ensuring that programs benefit from organizational learning, technical expertise, funding opportunities, operational support, and common standards while maintaining appropriate autonomy in day-to-day management and decision-making.

Your Tasks:

• Ensure high standards of conservation quality, organisational performance, and accountability across the programme portfolio.
• Lead and support Site Programme Managers to deliver high-performing conservation programmes and achieve agreed organisational objectives.
• Guide strategic programme development and partnership growth.
• Provide quality input into fundraising opportunities and ensure that donor requirements are met by site-based management teams.
• Ensure that FZS policies, safeguards, systems, and organisational culture are effectively embedded at programme level.
• Build the capacity of Programme Managers and leadership teams and promote organisational effectiveness across the portfolio.
• Share lessons learned and promote knowledge exchange between programmes, the Africa Department, and Headquarters.
• Maintain positive and productive relationships with key external stakeholders.
• Identify emerging risks and performance challenges and support timely corrective action where required.
• Ensure alignment between programme priorities and the broader FZS Africa Strategy.

Your Profile:

• Master’s degree (MSc) in Conservation, Natural Resource Management, or a related field, with a minimum of 10 years of practical professional experience in conservation and/or natural resource management.
• Demonstrated credibility and professional standing, with the ability to build trust and collaborate effectively with colleagues, donors, partners, government counterparts, and other stakeholders.
• Proven experience in strategic programme development, including the design, implementation, and monitoring of performance indicators and metrics.
• Experience managing programme budgets of at least USD 3 million annually.
• Demonstrated experience in project design, partnership development, donor engagement, and fundraising with private foundations, NGOs, bilateral donors, and other funding institutions.
• Proven staff management experience, including leading and supporting multinational and multicultural teams.
• Willingness and ability to undertake regular national and international travel.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and French.

• Working proficiency in one or more of the following languages would be an advantage: Kiswahili, Lingala, or Spanish.

We Offer:

• A competitive salary package commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• A full-time position, ideally based in Kinshasa, with the possibility of being hosted at another FZS duty station for the right candidate.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical and life insurance, pension contributions, housing support, and educational assistance for dependent children residing with the post holder.
• A unique opportunity to contribute to the strategic growth and expansion of the FZS Africa Programme.
• Regular travel opportunities to some of the world’s most biodiverse and remarkable conservation landscapes.
• The chance to work alongside a global team of dedicated and passionate conservation professionals committed to making a lasting impact.

Your Application:

Are you passionate and ready to take on this challenge? Please submitby clicking APPLY NOW below. Your application must include:

• A cover letter
• A detailed CV
  

In your cover letter, please address the following questions:

What motivates you to apply for this position?

Which qualifications, professional experience, and personal attributes make you a strong candidate for this role?

We look forward to receiving your application by 15th October 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.