Program Manager - Fencing & Maintenance

Position

Program Manager - Fencing & Maintenance

Organisation / Department

Plantation

Reports to

Senior Vice-President, Sustainability

Location

OPG Plantations, Gabon

Mission

The purpose of this role is to lead the elephant response programme to ensure that the oil palm plantations are protected against any intrusion by destructive animals, while safeguarding the integrity and effectiveness of our conservation areas.

  Key Responsibilities

1.

Maintenance of electric fences and other mitigation measures

·         Organise and manage the teams responsible for maintaining the electric fences, whether internal to Olam or subcontracted. This includes vegetation upkeep and electrical maintenance.

·         Master the specifications and design of the electric fences in accordance with Olam's Elephant Fence Guide, and propose design improvements where possible.

·         Document, both qualitatively and quantitatively, any incident related to the electric fences, in order to help the programme improve and evolve their design and specifications over time.

2.

Coordination of surveillance patrols to detect breaches in the fences and/or any abnormal presence or behaviour of elephants

·         Build a team of patrollers in each concession and coordinate their schedule so that they cover the entire fenced area on a daily basis.

·         Develop a rapid response plan and equip the teams accordingly in order to address fence breaches as quickly as possible.

·         Develop an online reporting database, updated daily, to provide full visibility of damage, fences and trenches completed, and planned works.

·         Build a team of specialised agents to safely drive elephants back in the event of an intrusion.

3.

Coordination of research and development on the forest elephant

·         With the support of a human–elephant conflict expert, coordinate our technical and scientific partnerships with local and international institutions and NGOs.

·         Propose programmes to continue data collection and deepen knowledge of the elephant population, behaviour and habits, in order to prevent future problems and ensure effective coexistence.

·         Leverage and co-publish the results of our technical and scientific partnerships in the national and international press.

·         Adapt the design and specifications of the fences based on technical and scientific findings, in order to stay ahead of the elephants' learning abilities.

4.

Staff management and coordination:

•         Take part in the recruitment and/or assessment process for technicians.

•         Periodically assess the skills and performance of your teams.

•         Propose the training plan for your teams and have it approved by the Head of the Sustainability function, in collaboration with the Human Resources department.

•         Propose advancements, promotions and disciplinary measures.

•         Ensure the implementation of OLAM's values.

5.

Quality assurance:

•         Define and monitor the resources required to meet Quality objectives, and ensure the proper application of the strategies, plans and documents of the quality management system.

•         Ensure procedures are kept up to date and approve those relating to the Elephant Monitoring and Management Programme.

•         Provide a weekly report to senior management.

6.

Management of Health, Safety and Environmental and Social (E&S) aspects:

·         Ensure the proper application of all Olam standards relating to health, safety, social matters and the environment.

·         Take part in implementing environmental improvement initiatives, proposing new measures where necessary.

Key Challenges

1.

Being able to deliver quality work at scale, managing multiple sites and multiple teams.

2.

Ability to work effectively and impartially in a challenging environment, while remaining fair and equitable towards both employee and employer, in compliance with Olam's regulations and standards.

3.

Meeting deadlines, costs, resources and production quality, and being able to work under pressure:

·         Adhere to the programme and schedule of activities.

·         Adhere to the activity budgets.

Required Skills

·         Results-oriented, with an analytical mind and attention to detail

·         Experience working with a multicultural and diverse workforce, with proven skills in team management and cross-functional collaboration

·         Ability to manage a large and geographically dispersed team

·         English and French, with a good ability to communicate with workers and colleagues

·         Knowledge of the African working culture and environment, and Gabonese in particular, will be an asset

·         Ability to develop budgets and establish monitoring and control mechanisms

·         IT skills: Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint

·         Understanding of and openness to procedures (HR, Sustainability)

Required Education and Qualifications

·         Bachelor's degree in science or management; a postgraduate degree (master's) in management is preferred.

·         Professional certification in project/programme management, HSE/E&S considered an advantage

·         At least 12 years of relevant programme management experience, including proven experience leading large-scale programmes.