PROGRAM OFFICER – WILDLIFE CRIME

OVERVIEW

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is a global organisation working to improve the lives of animals and people. Through its conservation programmes, IFAW supports wildlife protection, habitat conservation, animal welfare, and efforts to combat wildlife crime.

IFAW invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced professionals for the position of Program Officer – Wildlife Crime, based in Lilongwe, Malawi.

The successful candidate will lead the delivery of IFAW's Wildlife Crime Program (WCP) in Malawi, with a primary focus on the Kasungu–Lukusuzi MAZALA Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) landscape. The role will strengthen wildlife law enforcement capacity, support ranger operations, coordinate conservation partners, and contribute to efforts to combat wildlife crime.

JOB TYPE: Full Time

Date Posted: Monday, 26th October 2026

Application Deadline: Wednesday, 18th November 2026

Hiring Range: MWK 23,074,000 – MWK 28,000,000

Reports to: Country Director

Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with two (2) days per week in the office

POSITION: PROGRAM OFFICER – WILDLIFE CRIME

JOB SUMMARY

The Program Officer – Wildlife Crime will provide technical and managerial leadership in implementing IFAW's Wildlife Crime Program in Malawi, particularly within the Kasungu National Park and the wider MAZALA landscape.

The role will support ranger training and mentoring, provide technical and operational resources, strengthen law enforcement systems, and coordinate with government agencies and conservation partners. The successful candidate will also manage project budgets, work plans, monitoring, reporting, and stakeholder engagement while supporting the development of funding proposals.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Programme Leadership and Implementation

Provide technical and managerial leadership for Wildlife Crime Program activities in Kasungu National Park, ensuring that objectives are achieved within agreed timelines.

Lead the implementation of IFAW's Combating Wildlife Crime (CWC) Strategy in the landscape.

Support the operationalisation of the Kasungu Law Enforcement Strategy as part of the Kasungu National Park General Management Plan.

Ensure effective delivery of programme activities in line with IFAW's Institutional Strategic Plan (ISP).

Coordinate activities with the Park Manager, Law Enforcement Officer, Investigation and Intelligence Unit Team Leader, and other relevant personnel.

2. Wildlife Law Enforcement and Ranger Support

Provide tactical law enforcement support to the ranger force in Kasungu National Park.

Support ranger training, mentoring, and capacity development.

Oversee the delivery and effective use of financial and technical resources, including equipment, logistics, and operational support.

Work with relevant law enforcement partners to strengthen the capacity to tackle wildlife crime across the landscape.

Support improvements in wildlife security and protected-area management.

3. Planning, Budgeting and Financial Management

Lead the development and implementation of annual work plans and budgets.

Routinely review and update work plans and budgets to respond to changing operational needs.

Manage programme activity budgets, ensuring resources are appropriately allocated, monitored, and reported.

Coordinate the payment of grants, invoices, and other approved programme expenses.

Support accurate budgeting and forecasting in collaboration with colleagues.

4. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

Work with IFAW's Impact, Evaluation and Learning Team to ensure robust assessment and monitoring of programme effectiveness.

Review activity performance and recommend resource adjustments to maximise programme results.

Coordinate the preparation of technical and financial progress reports for IFAW and potential funding partners.

Work with partner organisations to obtain timely information for reporting.

Ensure compliance with IFAW project management systems, procedures, and relevant standards.

5. Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships

Lead coordination with the core Wildlife Crime Program team and other conservation partners in the MAZALA landscape.

Engage with other NGOs working in Kasungu National Park on wildlife security matters.

Build and maintain positive relationships with government officials, politicians, businesses, NGOs, and other stakeholders.

Represent IFAW's Wildlife Crime Program in Malawi, as agreed with line management.

Collaborate with the Country Director, Program Director – Wildlife Crime, Field Operations Manager, and Community Engagement colleagues.

Occasionally support colleagues in Zambia in implementing the MAZALA Room to Roam Strategy.

6. Procurement and Resource Management

Lead the procurement of equipment funded through the Wildlife Crime Program, with support from relevant colleagues.

Ensure procurement activities comply with IFAW and funder requirements.

Oversee the effective use of equipment and operational resources.

Ensure compliance with relevant organisational systems and standards.

7. Resource Mobilisation and Programme Growth

Support the development of restricted funding proposals for conservation activities in the landscape.

Contribute to the growth and expansion of IFAW's Wildlife Crime Program in Malawi.

Support the implementation of funded projects and maintain effective relationships with funding partners.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

Academic Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Biological Sciences, Environmental Science, Wildlife Management, Natural Resources Management, or a related discipline.

An advanced degree will be an added advantage.

Professional Experience

Applicants must demonstrate:

At least five (5) years of experience leading wildlife conservation or animal welfare projects in Malawi or the Southern African region.

Experience managing and successfully implementing projects supported by different funding partners.

Experience preparing technical and financial reports.

Demonstrable experience in conservation law enforcement.

A detailed understanding of the roles and responsibilities of state agencies, community members, and the wider criminal justice system.

Proven experience managing complex budgets.

Experience mentoring and supporting geographically dispersed colleagues and project recipients.

Experience influencing activities and stakeholders without direct management authority.

A professional network or evidence of collaborative work with NGOs and other organisations involved in wildlife conservation and animal welfare.

TECHNICAL SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

The ideal candidate should demonstrate:

Strong project management skills and the ability to manage a large workload and prioritise effectively.

Excellent budgeting, financial management, and reporting skills.

Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities.

Ability to develop practical solutions in challenging and fast-changing environments.

Excellent organisational and team-building skills.

Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-management skills.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to communicate effectively with people from different educational, social, and cultural backgrounds.

Ability to engage with the public through media and other communication platforms.

Ability to work with minimum supervision while making effective use of available team skills.

Ability to maintain confidentiality.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES AND VALUES

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

A strong commitment to animal welfare and IFAW's mission.

High levels of professionalism, dependability, initiative, and integrity.

Sound judgement and the ability to work within agreed guidelines.

Adaptability and resilience when working in fast-moving, high-pressure environments.

Ability to manage high or chronic stress situations.

Willingness and ability to travel regularly within Malawi and Zambia when required.

WORK ARRANGEMENT AND LOCATION

Duty Station: Lilongwe, Malawi.

Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with two (2) days per week in the office.

Travel: Regular travel within Malawi and occasional travel to Zambia may be required.

REMUNERATION

The hiring salary range is MWK 23,074,000 – MWK 28,000,000.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested and suitably qualified candidates should submit their applications through IFAW's official recruitment portal.

Application Portal: Apply for Program Officer, Wildlife Crime – IFAW

Applicants should search for the Program Officer, Wildlife Crime vacancy and follow the application instructions provided on the official recruitment portal.

Closing Date: Wednesday, 18th November 2026.

IFAW encourages applications from candidates of diverse backgrounds and is committed to promoting justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.