PILOT WAP FIXED WING (BENIN)

African Parks is a non-profit organization that takes total responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks and protected areas in partnership with governments and local communities. African Parks, through affiliated local boards, has management responsibility for the Pendjari and Park W protected areas in Benin.

Pendjari National Park and Park W form part of the transnational W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) Complex, spanning Benin, Burkina Faso, and Niger, which is the largest remaining intact ecosystem in West Africa. Covering 6 445 km, Pendjari is the last refuge for the region’s elephant and some of the remaining critically endangered West African lion population. In 2017, recognizing the link between securing protected areas and sustainable development for the country, the Government of Benin invited African Parks to sign a management agreement partnership for Pendjari and did the same in 2020 for Park W.

Since then, the landscape has improved in being a haven for stable wildlife populations; uncontrolled resource use and rampant poaching are slowly and, employment opportunities, education and health care have reached thousands of people.

Despite the armed groups activities in Northern Benin, park management and a dedicated team of rangers continue to work towards achieving safety of wildlife and communities within the park. A revised security strategy to ensure protection of Pendjari, its wildlife and people has been implemented. Park management and government entities work together to ensure stability for wildlife and people.

JOB OVERVIEW:

To provide surveillances, logistics and tactical flights operations in LSA for Pendjari and W, Benin National Parks in a hostile environment where conservation is being confronted to all sort of threats and illegal poaching.

Ideally from military background, the pilot must be passionate about conservation and motivated to operate flights at lower altitude taking into consideration the security context in the parks.

MAIN ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Carry out flights as scheduled/instructed, within the prescribed legal limits and strict compliance with the African Parks SOPs, SOIs and relevant Civil Aviation Regulations and Benin aviation regulations.

Ensure that all aircraft and operator safety requirements are met as per international standards.

Ensure aircraft are operated within the legal and performance parameters.

Ensure that all scheduled surveillance flights are conducted on time and data recorded.

Ensure that all scheduled ferry flights are conducted on time and prepared accordingly.

Ensure that the impact of unscheduled support flights and scheduled ferry flights on surveillance flights is limited to the highest degree possible whilst maintaining general aviation standards and adhering to legislation.

Ensure weekly joint-flight planning with LE/Conservation/Logistics and ensure that it is closely adhered to.

Assist with or lead maintenance/servicing of aircraft as long as legally compliant.

Take a leading role in ensuring a well-kept hangar and aviation stores.

Report back on each week’s flight planning every Friday morning.

Ensure that all aircraft logbooks and paperwork are filled out and kept up to date at all times.

Provide any needed support to both parks’ Field Operations Managers and Aviation Supervisor.