Program Officer, Wildlife Crime

Staff work a hybrid schedule with 2 days/week in the office

The Wildlife Crime Program Officer is responsible for successfully delivering the goals of IFAW’s Wildlife Crime Program (WCP) and IFAW’s Institutional Strategic Plan (ISP) in Malawi, with a primary focus on the Kasungu-Lukusuzi MAZALA TFCA landscape.

The WCP’s priorities in this landscape are to support the Kasungu National Park identified as part of the Room to Roam initiative by improving the capacity of key partner agencies to tackle wildlife crime throughout the landscape. This forms part of a holistic approach IFAW takes to conservation that includes investment in protected areas, landscape conservation and research, infrastructure, ranger welfare, community engagement and the mitigation of human wildlife conflict.

The Wildlife Crime Officer will provide tactical law enforcement support to the ranger force in Kasungu National Park in terms of providing training and mentoring and the delivery and oversight of financial and technical resources including equipment, logistical and operational support. The incumbent will work closely with Park Manager, Law Enforcement Officer and Investigation and Intelligence Unit Team Leader as part of the law enforcement infrastructure of the park. The officer will be responsible for the implementing the IFAW’s CWC Strategy in the landscape and operationalizing of the Kasungu Law Enforcement Strategy as part of the Kasungu National Park General Management Plan.

The Wildlife Crime Officer will work closely with colleagues to ensure accurate budgeting and forecasting of project activities and the payment of grants and other invoices as required. The Officer, with support from the Impact, Evaluation and Learning Team will also be responsible for developing routine technical and financial Progress Reports and updates as required by IFAW and potential funding partners.

The WCPO will report to the Country Director and will work closely with the Program Director, Wildlife Crime. A key collaborator will be Field Operations Manager and Community Engagement colleagues based in the landscape. On occasion, the WCPO will be required to support colleagues in Zambia with the implementation of the MAZALA Room to Roam Strategy. The WCPO will be expected to support the development of restricted funding proposals in the landscape, as well as its implementation.

Role and Responsibilities

• Provide technical and managerial leadership to WCP activities in Kasungu National Park ensuring they achieve their stated goals in the stipulated time frames
• Lead the development and implementation of annual budgets and workplans, ensuring that these are routinely updated and adaptively managed to ensure effective activity delivery and to maintain relevance in what is a dynamic context.
• Lead the liaison with and coordination with core WC Program Team and other conservation partners in the MAZALA landscape
• Engage closely with relevant other NGOs active in Kasungu National Park on matters relating to wildlife security in the landscape
• With support from the Impact, Evaluation and Learning team, ensure that robust assessments and monitoring of activity effectiveness are carried out, reassessing and reallocating resources to achieve the maximum contribution to IFAW’s Programmatic objectives.
• Manage activity budgets ensuring they are effectively planned, monitored and reported on, focusing resources appropriately to achieve optimum results.
• As agreed with line management, act as a spokesperson for IFAW’s WCP in Malawi representing the organization to, and building positive relationships with, NGO’s, politicians, Government officials, business representatives and media platforms.
• Adhere to IFAW’s project management systems and practices and ensure compliance with all relevant conditions and standards.
• With support from relevant colleagues, lead the procurement of equipment to be funded by the WCP, ensuring compliance with both IFAW and funder requirements.
• Coordinate and lead the development of technical and financial reports related to WCP activities, including communicating with partner organizations to ensure timely delivery of information.
• Liaise and collaborate closely with the Country Director and colleagues to ensure there is excellent communication and coordination with other activities in the MAZALA landscape, other teams throughout IFAW and externally to relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure regular and effective communication with the Country Director, Field Operations Manager and the Director, Wildlife Crime and produce regular reports and updates.
• Actively participate in efforts to grow the WCP portfolio in Malawi by supporting the development of proposals and other submissions to potential funding partners.

Qualifications and Educational Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as biological sciences, environmental science, wildlife management, natural resources management, or a related discipline preferred; an advanced degree is an advantage.
• Demonstrable experience of not less than 5 years in leading wildlife conservation or animal welfare projects in Malawi or the Southern Africa region
• Demonstrable experience of managing and leading the successful implementation of projects supported by a range of funding partners, including the development of technical and financial reports.
• Demonstrable experience in conservation law enforcement with a detailed understanding of the roles and responsibilities of state agencies, community members and the wider criminal justice system
• Proven competency with managing budgets of a complex nature.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring and supporting dispersed colleagues and recipients and influencing activities without direct management authority.
• Good project management skills with an ability to manage a large workload and prioritize appropriately.
• A demonstrable network or evidence of collaborative working with a range of organizations including other NGOs active in wildlife conservation and animal welfare.
• Strong, demonstrable commitment to animal welfare and promoting IFAW’s mission.
• High level of professionalism – the mix of dependability, initiative, industry, and ability to make sound judgments, within agreed guidelines, that will earn respect and achieve success in, fast moving, and high-pressure environments. Ability to adapt to working in varied environments and to handle high or chronic stress situations.
• Strong problem-solving skills, able to effectively analyze problems and provide creative workable solutions.
• Excellent organizational and team-building skills.
• Excellent communicator, both verbally and in writing. Ability to interact harmoniously and communicate effectively with people (both internally and externally) from varying educational, social, and cultural backgrounds. Ability to communicate with the public through the media and other platforms. Able to work with minimum supervision, optimizing the skills available within the team.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Able and willing to undertake regular travel within Malawi and Zambia if required.

At IFAW, we aim to create and foster a workforce that reflects and contributes to the diverse, global community in which we work to improve the lives of both animals and people. We are dedicated to fostering justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion so we actively encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds.

Hiring range is MWK 23,074,000 - MWK 28,000,000

Closing date for receipt of applications: 18 November 2026