About Animal Defenders International
Animal Defenders International (ADI) is a 501(c)3 US nonprofit with offices in Los Angeles, London (ADI Foundation, a charity), and Bogota operating the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa, home to 35 rescued lions and tigers from circuses, zoos, pet trade, as well as other rescued wildlife and domestic species. When governments ban the use of animals in circuses, ADI steps up to help officials remove the animals from the circuses and we relocate them to suitable sanctuaries, according to species. Big cats are provided with a permanent home of loving kindness at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary for big cats from across the world.
Job Title: Estate Director
Organisation: Animal Defenders International South Africa, NPC (PBO).
Location: ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, Free State, South Africa
Terms: Permanent position with initial 6 month trial period; salary R65,000/month.
5.5 working days/week; 4-day weekend each month; paid sick leave; Sundays/public holidays covered on shared rota with days off to compensate; 18 days’ holiday in first year, rising to 20 days subsequent years. Accommodation and local transport (not flights) provided.
Volunteer option available (2-3 months), for volunteers with appropriate qualifications and experience. Key projects include road building, storm drains, tree planting, visitor accommodation, education centre, film theatre, etc. Accommodation and local transport included.
Reports to: Senior directors, Sanctuary Director. Member of Senior Management Team.
Position objective:
Effective, professional and dedicated management of estate and environment – directing teams in daily care of land, natural environment, trees, gardens; equipment, roads, storm drains, fencing, public areas, buildings, power, water, internet. Visitor facilities, maintenance, public safety, security (collaborates with Security Director). Control of supplies, maintenance, equipment, vehicles. Enforcement and development of working protocols, staff training and briefing, health & safety. Collaborates with senior management on planning, budgeting, reporting, staff management, security.
About You:
• You are qualified, have extensive experience in management of the practical needs of a sanctuary, farm, or other premises open to the public.
• With strong verbal and written communication skills, you have a friendly, welcoming approach – you enjoy leading your team to do their best work, as well as helping visitors, public and supporters.
• Training and Standards – you have significant experience in training staff, know how to follow and implement protocols and ADIWS polices, development of working protocols and standards to protect the physical welfare and mental health of our animal residents, as well as protection of visitors, staff and volunteers.
• You enjoy being part of a diverse management team, developing ideas, dealing with challenges, providing mutual support.
• You can prioritize and manage multiple projects, ensuring senior staff are kept abreast of developments.
• You have strong collaboration skills, helping to deliver the vision and objectives of ADI in the daily operations of the Sanctuary.
About Us:
ADI is dedicated to ending the suffering of animals and works for their rights and legal protection worldwide. As part of that work, when governments pass laws to protect animals, such as ending the use of wild animals in circuses or other entertainment, ADI steps forward to assist governments with rescuing and relocating the animals. African predators come to the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary (ADIWS).
ADI South Africa works with the Government of South Africa for animal protection measures, such as ending lion farms and other entertainment/unethical use of wild animals. Part of our educational work is to build learning, visitor and veterinary facilities at the ADIWS; provide education about animals and the environment; implement environmentally friendly policies such as solar power, recycling and re-wilding of the land. The Estate Director role is a vital part of this vision. Internationally, ADI is a Great Nonprofits Top-rated and Charity Navigator 4-star charity.
Our rescues and work are featured here: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADITV-animals/videos
About the role:
(full job description on application)
Management Duties and Responsibilities
• Part of senior management team; weekly reporting, work planning, decisions, budgeting.
• Deputizes for Sanctuary Director, management of staff and volunteer rosters.
• Ensure ADIWS working protocols followed/developed, staff training, direction.
• Development of budgets & work planning, contractors, costings, casual labour.
• Daily: control & care of equipment, vehicles, supplies, (assisted by Sanctuary Administrator).
• Works with senior directors on major projects (President, VP).
• Monitors gate activity, security (with Security Director)
• Provides an on-call support service for the night security and staff.
Estate – Buildings – Construction – Security – Environment:
• Maintenance of land, natural environment, trees, gardens, firebreaks, composting, etc.; equipment, roads, storm drains, fencing, roads.
• Management of all buildings and facilities – staff and visitor accommodation, education centre, offices – solar and Eskom power, water, pumps/geysers, internet; septic tanks/grey water recycling, waste disposal.
• Health & safety, fire, security, lighting, gates, fencing, roads, access control, ID badges, car parking (with Security Director).
• Supplies, equipment, vehicles.
• Work quality inspections, reports to Senior Management Team.
How to apply:
• Apply early – no closing date – we review applications as they arrive; interviews commence on a rolling programme.
• Send email detailing how you meet our criteria, together with your CV.
• Interviews will be online and in person.
• Formal application form will be sent if you have been selected for interview.
• Virtual interviews will be arranged once your application form has been reviewed.
• In-person interviews will be arranged following virtual interviews.
Animal Defenders International South Africa, NPC (PBO),
ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, Winburg 9420, Free State, South Africa.
Send CV to: execassist@ad-international.org
ADI Wildlife Sanctuary 