Wildlife crime program officer

OVERVIEWThe International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is a global organisation dedicated to improving the lives of animals and people. Through conservation, animal welfare, and community engagement initiatives, IFAW works with governments, partners, and communities to protect wildlife and promote sustainable coexistence between people and animals.IFAW invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced professionals for the position of Wildlife Crime Program Officer, based in Lilongwe, Malawi.The successful candidate will lead the implementation 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 the capacity of key partner agencies to tackle wildlife crime, particularly within Kasungu National Park.The position forms part of IFAW's broader conservation approach, which includes protected-area investment, landscape conservation, research, infrastructure development, ranger welfare, community engagement, and human-wildlife conflict mitigation.JOB TYPE: Full TimeDate Posted: Thursday, 22nd October 2026Application Deadline: Wednesday, 18th November 2026Duty Station: Lilongwe, MalawiWork Arrangement: Hybrid – two (2) days per week in the officeReports to: Country Director, with close collaboration with the Program Director, Wildlife CrimeHiring Range: MWK 23,074,000 – MWK 28,000,000POSITION: WILDLIFE CRIME PROGRAM OFFICERJOB SUMMARYThe Wildlife Crime Program Officer will provide tactical law enforcement support to the ranger force in Kasungu National Park through training, mentoring, and the delivery and oversight of financial and technical resources, including equipment, logistics, and operational support.The successful candidate will work closely with the Park Manager, Law Enforcement Officer, and Investigation and Intelligence Unit Team Leader to strengthen the park's law enforcement operations.The role will also be responsible for implementing IFAW's Combating Wildlife Crime (CWC) Strategy in the landscape and operationalising the Kasungu Law Enforcement Strategy as part of the Kasungu National Park General Management Plan.In addition, the officer will coordinate budgets, work plans, monitoring, reporting, stakeholder engagement, and resource mobilisation activities to support effective programme delivery.DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES1. Programme Leadership and ImplementationProvide technical and managerial leadership for Wildlife Crime Program activities in Kasungu National Park.Ensure programme activities achieve their intended objectives within agreed timelines.Lead the implementation of IFAW's Wildlife Crime Program priorities in the MAZALA landscape.Support the operationalisation of the Kasungu Law Enforcement Strategy as part of the park's General Management Plan.Provide tactical law enforcement support to the ranger force through training, mentoring, and operational guidance.2. Planning, Budgeting and Resource ManagementLead 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 planned, monitored, and reported.Ensure financial resources are allocated effectively to achieve programme objectives.Coordinate the delivery and oversight of technical and financial resources, including equipment, logistics, and operational support.3. Stakeholder Engagement and CoordinationCoordinate and maintain strong working relationships with the core Wildlife Crime Program team and conservation partners in the MAZALA landscape.Work closely with other NGOs operating in Kasungu National Park on wildlife security matters.Build positive relationships with government officials, politicians, business representatives, media platforms, and other stakeholders.Represent IFAW's Wildlife Crime Program in Malawi when agreed with line management.Maintain effective communication and coordination with colleagues across IFAW and external partners.Support collaboration with colleagues in Zambia on the implementation of the MAZALA Room to Roam Strategy when required.4. Monitoring, Evaluation and Programme EffectivenessWork with the Impact, Evaluation and Learning team to ensure robust assessments and monitoring of programme effectiveness.Review programme performance and recommend adjustments to maximise contributions to IFAW's strategic objectives.Monitor the implementation of activities and ensure that resources are used effectively.Support adaptive management and continuous improvement of programme activities.5. Financial Management and ReportingEnsure accurate budgeting and forecasting of programme activities.Coordinate payments relating to grants and other invoices as required.Lead the development of technical and financial progress reports.Work with partner organisations to obtain information required for timely reporting.Pr