Lead an inspiring and award-winning internationally recognised Park dedicated to PNG’s wildlife through research and conservation, and to the community through interactive educational experiences and engaging recreational attractions and events.
- Fixed 3-yr term contract
- Highly Competitive salary and package (inclusive of accommodation, vehicle, medical, travel allowance & patriation/repatriation costs)
- Location: Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Port Moresby Nature Park (PMNP) is offering a rare position opportunity to an experienced profession as the General Manager – Life Sciences, responsible for leading three key teams of wildlife care & conservation, park grounds & gardens, and community conservation education.
Overview
PMNP was launched in 2012, on the site of the former National Botanical Gardens with the vision to be PNG’s leading recreational park inspiring in others the guardianship of PNG’s natural biodiversity.
PMNP is situated on 30 hectares (15 undeveloped) which includes the only rainforest tract in Port Moresby and is home to aprox 400 native animals, representing 59 PNG species. PMNP employs circ. 70 staff and is the highest visited attraction in the country with over 130,000 visitors per year, including 25,000 school children attending PNG’s only structured school excursion programs.
PMNP also operates PNG’s only wildlife rescue & rehabilitation centre and is the only site in the country to conduct multiple ex-situ based wildlife research, breeding and conservation programmes. Programs have included a focus on endangered and little-studied PNG species such as Bird of Paradise, tree kangaroos, cuscus, pig-nosed turtles and frogs to name a few. The Park also plays a key role in tourism activities, often as the official tourism partner to major international events held in the country.
PMNP is an accredited member of the Zoo and Aquarium Association of Australasia (ZAA) and prides itself as a leader in animal welfare practices and ex-situ conservation efforts in the South Pacific Islands region. PMNP is a registered charity deriving funding through on-going Provincial Government grant support, corporate, partner, AID and donor sponsorships and grants, and through the self-generation of income in its commercial activities which include retail, food & beverage, venue hire, memberships, gate takings and plant nursery operations.
The Role
About The Role
The General Manager – Life Sciences (GMLS) will focus on:
- Staff leadership and empowerment: Provide leadership, training and staff development to three core departments of wildlife, grounds and education, all led by respective managers and guide, mentor and lead each manager and their teams to deliver key objectives and activities according to workplans and schedules.
- Animal care & collection management: Ensure the highest standard of health & welfare of animals in the collection, including full collection management, oversite of surrendered wildlife for care, rehabilitation and (where possible) release, species breeding programs, research programs, supervision of animal food purchasing (both local & international) and on-site live-food production, ensuring preventative and curative health care to animals.
- Visitor experiences and engagement: Ensure the park’s grounds and gardens, public facilities, and park signage are maintained to the highest presentation standards and that engaging educational messaging and programs, both for the general public and school groups are developed to inspire conservation and behavioural changes in visitors.
About You
We are looking for candidates that have the following skills and knowledge:
- At least 10 years experience in wildlife care and management, across multiple species as an “all-rounder” including birds, marsupials, reptiles and amphibians
- Sound knowledge of Species360 and animal records management
- Understanding of animal life support systems, particularly for reptiles and amphibians
- Possess a sound knowledge of animal welfare principles, to ensure animal’s environments support their welfare needs and be committed to implementing animal training and enrichment programs
- Experience in hand-raising wildlife, particularly birds and marsupials.
- Experience in live-animal food production, including insects, rats, chickens
- Experience in zoo industry accreditation processes and ensuring the maintenance of industry welfare standards
- Experience in partnership management with Government Agencies, conservation & research partners and in promoting to partners, sponsors &/or potential donors the conservation programs of the park
- Experience in working with potentially dangerous animals (such as large pythons, cassowaries, crocodiles)
- Excellent observational skills, with the ability to problem solve, multi-task and adapt within a different cultural context and changing environment
- Have excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills with proven experience promoting a positive team culture and engaging visitors
- Manual drivers license
Highly desirable
- Tertiary qualifications in captive animal management or equivalent
- Knowledge of horticultural practices, including nursery management, general grounds maintenance and tropical plant knowledge
- Experience operating bobcats and other light-heavy vehicles (dump truck, etc)
- Knowledge in operating generators, bores & bore pumps, septic tanks.
- Experience in developing conservation-focused educational programs for schools excursions, public special events and park interpretational messaging
- Experience in conservation messaging through public interpretation and signage.
Papua New Guinea is located above Australia and is home to between 7-8% of the world’s biodiversity. As a developing country, PNG does have some challenges and may not be suitable to everyone, however, for a resilient and adventurous person, living and working in Port Moresby and working for PMNP provides many fascinating and uniquely rewarding opportunities and experiences unlikely to be gained from any other similar position. Port Moresby has active expat and local community, with plenty of social activities, sporting and other clubs to keep one busy.
To apply, please forward your covering letter and CV to [email protected].
Applications close: COB Fri 3 November, 2023
More information on Port Moresby Nature Park can be found at: