- Inhambane, Inhambane, Moçambique
- Peace Parks Foundation
Sobre a vaga
Reporting to: Head of Operations and Development, Zinave National Park
Location: Zinave National Park, Mozambique
BACKGROUND
Peace Parks Foundation, founded by President Nelson Mandela, HRH Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands and Dr. Anton Rupert, is a leader in large-scale ecological restoration across southern Africa. Through co-management partnerships that unite governments, communities and donors, it restores vast transboundary landscapes that deliver measurable conservation and livelihood outcomes. Vision 2050 will secure 18 functional landscapes spanning 980,000 km², one of the world’s largest land-conservation initiatives.
Visit: www.peaceparks.org
JOB PROFILE
Zinave National Park is in Mozambique’s Inhambane Province — a vast 4,091 km² wilderness where wildlife has returned and the landscape remains wonderfully untouched.
Under the leadership of Mozambique’s National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC), and with support from Peace Parks Foundation (PPF), Zinave has undergone an extraordinary rewilding transformation over the past decade, successfully restoring the Big Five to the park.
Tourism in Zinave is still in its early development phase. While there are a few self-catering tents, campsites, and plans for a mobile camp, there are currently no five-star lodges. The park is remote, quiet, and far from the mainstream safari circuit, with the nearest established tourism hub in Vilanculos located approximately five hours away.
In this unique and emerging landscape, Peace Parks Foundation is seeking experienced tourism professionals to support the Zinave National Park management team in expanding tourism offerings, creating an authentic and high-quality visitor experience, and helping establish a strong tourism culture within the park.
This opportunity is ideally suited to a couple, and both positions require relevant tourism qualifications and experience.
The roles are fixed term, funded via project financing. Funding is currently confirmed for one year, with a high likelihood of extension to three years, subject to performance, progress, and project success.
Job Purpose
The Tourism Operations Manager will be based full-time in Zinave National Park and will support current tourism operations, refine and improve the visitor experience and develop future tourism products in collaboration with and supporting ANAC.
The role requires skills and experience in all aspects of making tourism work in remote places – including administration, reservations, reporting and marketing. Procurement, logistics, management, housekeeping, food and beverage and stock control. The successful candidate needs to be able to train and mentor, sharing their knowledge and skills with teams on the ground, and be passionate about embedding a tourism culture and empowering the team.
Portuguese fluency is highly desirable.
Duties And Responsibilities
Operations and Guest Experience
- RESERVATIONS & FRONT OFFICE: Support the full booking cycle for campsites and mobile camps; from enquiries to confirmations, invoicing and payments; liaising and in collaboration with ANAC team; maintain accurate occupancy records and ensure it is captured on MEL system.
- VISITOR EXPERIENCE: Support, develop and curate the visitor experience – Greet guests, brief them on park rules and safety, coordinate activities. New tourism product development for ZNP.
- FOOD & BEVERAGE: Develop and supervise simple yet high‑quality menus appropriate for a bush environment; and train staff on how to cook these menus. Ensure compliance with hygiene standards; manage ordering and storage and support kitchen staff
- HOUSEKEEPING & MAINTENANCE: Ensure all guest tents, communal facilities and public areas are cleaned and maintained to a professional standard. Plan preventive maintenance schedules and handle repairs promptly.
Staff Support and Training
Train and support a small team of local staff covering food & beverage, housekeeping, maintenance and eventually guiding. Provide ongoing mentoring and skills development to build local capacity. Training should include hospitality standards, health and safety, basic English/Portuguese language skills and environmental awareness. Recruiting as and when necessary.
- Promote a positive, inclusive working environment that respects local culture and gender diversity, while maintaining professional conduct.
Financial and Administrative Management
- Prepare annual operating budgets for tourism activities in coordination with Peace Parks HQ; monitor expenses and revenue; identify cost efficiencies and revenue-growth opportunities.
- Manage cash float, procurement and stock control. Ensure transparent, auditable financial records.
- Comply with all statutory requirements and permit conditions set by ANAC and other authorities.
Marketing and Stakeholder Engagement
- Work with Peace Parks marketing team to position Zinave as a unique wilderness destination. Assist in developing marketing materials and packages targeted at domestic and international markets.
- Build relationships with tour operators, travel agents and neighbouring lodges to encourage combination itineraries with nearby Vilanculos/Bazaruto.
- Host visiting researchers, donors and media to showcase Zinave’s conservation achievements.
Conservation and Community Integration
- Align tourism activities with the park’s ecological management plan, ensuring minimal impact on wildlife and habitats.
- Coordinate with anti-poaching and ecological teams regarding game drives and visitor movements.
- Engage constructively with adjacent communities; support community-based tourism initiatives and ensure that employment opportunities are extended to local residents.
- Facilitate training for community guides and artisans to produce authentic cultural experiences.
Conditions of Employment
- The position is based on site in Zinave National Park.
- Tented accommodation will be provided within the park.
- The successful candidate must be willing to work flexible hours, including weekends and public holidays, to accommodate guest arrivals and emergencies. Employment is subject to verification of credentials, reference checks and compliance with Peace Parks Foundation’s code of conduct.
Minimum Requirements
- Proven management experience (minimum five years) in remote lodge or mobile camp operations in Africa, including responsibility for food & beverage, housekeeping, and administration.
- Demonstrated ability to plan and execute training programmes for hospitality staff. Prior experience building local capacity and mentoring staff is essential.
- Strong interpersonal skills with a clear, direct communication style; able to provide outstanding service to internal and external stakeholders.
- Excellent organisational and financial management skills; adept at budgeting, inventory control and procurement.
- Comfortable living and working in a remote bush environment with limited infrastructure and connectivity.
- Passion for conservation and sustainable tourism; commitment to balancing visitor expectations with ecological integrity.
- Fluency in English required; proficiency in Portuguese strongly preferred due to the park’s location in Mozambique.
- Valid driver’s licence and 4×4 driving experience.
- First aid, guiding and/or firefighting certifications will be advantageous.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
If you are committed to making a positive impact and thriving in a challenging and dynamic environment, we invite you to apply. Please send a covering letter and CV (maximum two pages), including your full address, telephone number, email address and contact details of at least three references who can be contacted.
Applications must be submitted by 14 January 2026.
A competitive salary package will be negotiated based on qualifications and experience.
Apply online.
We appreciate the time and effort of all applicants. Due to the expected volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not receive a response from us within three weeks of the submission deadline, please consider your application unsuccessful. We encourage you to apply for future opportunities that match your skills and experience.
