Conservation Law Enforcement Advisor job at Wildlife Conservation Society

GLOBAL CONSERVATION

Job Description

Reports to: Ishasha Sector Manager

Positions Managed: Conservation Technologist

Location: Ishasha, Queen Elizabeth Protected Area, Uganda

Position Type: Full-Time

Scope/Capacity: QEPA

Coordinates with: Warden Law Enforcement QEPA, Assistant Warden Law Enforcement, Community Conservation Department, Biodiversity Management Department, Logistics service, Uganda Country Team, APAMU and other regional or global thematic teams (e.g. Conservation Technology).

Job Purpose

The Conservation Law Enforcement Advisor will lead the development of conservation law enforcement capability in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Working alongside UWA counterparts, the Advisor will ensure that ranger forces are organised, trained, equipped, and deployed to secure the sector and enforce conservation law.

The Advisor will implement a phased build-up of capability, in line with the Protected Area Start-Up Guide and structured around the WCS 5Ps framework: Philosophy, Principles, Policies, Procedures, and Practices. This approach will establish professional standards, and effective systems before expanding operations.

The role operates in a remote and complex environment. It requires disciplined planning, practical leadership, and will be responsible for delivering an analysis-led approach to law enforcement. The objective is a capable, accountable, and sustainable law enforcement function, owned by UWA and able to endure beyond the start-up phase. The role will operate in collaboration with other departments within the protected area, ensuring law enforcement is informed by and complementary to, the work of the community conservation, social safeguards and biodiversity management departments.

Major Responsibilities

• In partnership with UWA, oversee analysis-led law enforcement operations within Ishasha Sector, QEPA, by ensuring data collected in the field is processed and analyzed effectively to support strategic and operational decision-making.
• Set up the Ishasha Operations Room as the central management and control hub for Protected Area Management and Law Enforcement activities in Ishasha Sector. Manage operational monitoring and communications with Ishasha Rangers. Manage site-based analysts in the Information Analysis Cell to effectively collect, process, analyse and disseminate insights that support strategic and operational decision-making.
• Oversee the establishment and maintenance of basic Law Enforcement infrastructure, including accommodation, training areas, and an armoury, to ensure that Ishasha Rangers are properly equipped with uniforms, field gear, and communications devices.
• Develop and implement a bespoke training curriculum for Ishasha Rangers aligned with national and WCS Law Enforcement standards to build an Initial Operating Capability (IOC), that enables independent, analysis-led patrols with minimal supervision.
• Implement relevant Conservation technologies (EarthRanger-SMART integration, Antipoaching Cameras, Drones) to support strategic and operational planning and oversee relevant technical training for Rangers and Operations Room staff.
• Participate in security and law enforcement planning meetings at the landscape level. Coordinate with NGOs involved with combating wildlife crime at the landscape level (e.g., Focused Conservation, GVTC LE landscape committee). Participate in transboundary collaboration meetings organized by GVTC
• Work in a coordinated and collaborative manner with all areas, promote cross-departmental cooperation, positioning law enforcement as an enabling function that underpins conservation outcomes in Ishasha.

Qualification Requirements

• At least ten years of experience leading, managing, and/or advising on law enforcement operations, ideally in Protected Areas, military and/or policing operations
• An analytical mind that grasps the complex social, political, legal, security and criminal issues affecting QEPA,
• Good understanding of problem-oriented and intelligence-led Conservation Law Enforcement
• Strong leadership and team building and advisory experience, including ability to motivate, set objectives, and strengthen the performance of a multidisciplinary team.
• Outstanding organizational and coordination skills
• Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining partnerships and individual relationships in a complex political environment
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English is required, including the ability to write accurate, analytical, and timely reports. Proficiency in Swahili is an asset
• Previous experience within Africa, and ability to work with and sensitivity to a diverse group of people including those of different cultures, nationalities and backgrounds. Experience in Uganda an asset.
• Strong computer skills, especially software related to Park management and information management, with additional expertise in Park technology and communications as an asset.
• Interest in wildlife conservation and commitment to the mission and values of WCS.

Additional Requirements:

• Frequent travel to the WCS Uganda program offices and sites.

• In partnership with UWA, oversee analysis-led law enforcement operations within Ishasha Sector, QEPA, by ensuring data collected in the field is processed and analyzed effectively to support strategic and operational decision-making.
• Set up the Ishasha Operations Room as the central management and control hub for Protected Area Management and Law Enforcement activities in Ishasha Sector. Manage operational monitoring and communications with Ishasha Rangers. Manage site-based analysts in the Information Analysis Cell to effectively collect, process, analyse and disseminate insights that support strategic and operational decision-making.
• Oversee the establishment and maintenance of basic Law Enforcement infrastructure, including accommodation, training areas, and an armoury, to ensure that Ishasha Rangers are properly equipped with uniforms, field gear, and communications devices.
• Develop and implement a bespoke training curriculum for Ishasha Rangers aligned with national and WCS Law Enforcement standards to build an Initial Operating Capability (IOC), that enables independent, analysis-led patrols with minimal supervision.
• Implement relevant Conservation technologies (EarthRanger-SMART integration, Antipoaching Cameras, Drones) to support strategic and operational planning and oversee relevant technical training for Rangers and Operations Room staff.
• Participate in security and law enforcement planning meetings at the landscape level. Coordinate with NGOs involved with combating wildlife crime at the landscape level (e.g., Focused Conservation, GVTC LE landscape committee). Participate in transboundary collaboration meetings organized by GVTC
• Work in a coordinated and collaborative manner with all areas, promote cross-departmental cooperation, positioning law enforcement as an enabling function that underpins conservation outcomes in Ishasha.

• Strong leadership and team building and advisory experience, including ability to motivate, set objectives, and strengthen the performance of a multidisciplinary team.
• Outstanding organizational and coordination skills
• Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining partnerships and individual relationships in a complex political environment
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English is required, including the ability to write accurate, analytical, and timely reports.
• Proficiency in Swahili is an asset
• Strong computer skills, especially software related to Park management and information management, with additional expertise in Park technology and communications as an asset.

• At least ten years of experience leading, managing, and/or advising on law enforcement operations, ideally in Protected Areas, military and/or policing operations
• An analytical mind that grasps the complex social, political, legal, security and criminal issues affecting QEPA,
• Good understanding of problem-oriented and intelligence-led Conservation Law Enforcement
• Previous experience within Africa, and ability to work with and sensitivity to a diverse group of people including those of different cultures, nationalities and backgrounds. Experience in Uganda an asset.
• Interest in wildlife conservation and commitment to the mission and values of WCS.