Background

The Upemba National Park (PNU) is one of Africa’s oldest and largest protected areas. Beyond its conservation mandate, the Park aims to become a catalyst for sustainable economic development by creating viable economic opportunities for surrounding communities and generating long-term revenues that contribute to conservation financing.

To support this ambition, UNP seeks to engage an Expert with extensive experience in business development, agricultural value chains, social enterprises, financing mechanisms and sustainable economic models in challenging environments.

The Expert will support the Park in identifying, structuring and implementing economically viable activities capable of generating revenues while creating social and environmental benefits.

Overall Objective

To design and support the implementation of sustainable business and development models that:

• Generate revenues for the Park and contribute to its long-term financial sustainability;

• Create employment and economic opportunities for local communities;

• Structure commercially viable value chains around the Park;

• Establish governance and management systems for revenue-generating activities;

• Attract investments and strategic partnerships;

• Ensure that business growth contributes directly to conservation outcomes.

Specific Objectives

The Expert will support UNP in:

1. Business Strategy and Sustainability Models

• Assess the economic potential of existing and future revenue-generating activities;

• Develop sustainable business models adapted to the Upemba context;

• Identify investment opportunities and priority sectors;

• Develop business plans and financial models for selected activities;

• Establish pathways for revenues to contribute to conservation financing.

2. Structuring Revenue-Generating Activities

Support the development and/or scaling-up of:

• Agricultural production and mechanization schemes;

• Agro-processing industries;

• Livestock and fisheries value chains;

• Renewable energy initiatives;

• Community enterprises and SMEs;

• Tourism-related businesses;

• Other innovative businesses aligned with PNU's conservation and development objectives.

3. Corporate and Governance Structures

• Design the legal and governance framework for commercial activities;

• Establish operational and financial management systems;

• Define reporting and accountability mechanisms;

• Develop operating procedures and performance indicators;

• Support the implementation of management information systems and ERP solutions where appropriate.

4. Financial Structuring and Resource Mobilization

• Develop financial models and investment cases;

• Identify financing mechanisms and blended finance opportunities;

• Support fundraising efforts and engagement with donors, investors and commercial partners;

• Structure working capital and investment financing solutions.

5. Infrastructure and Industrial Development

Provide technical support for:

• Feasibility and prefeasibility studies;

• Industrial and agro-processing facilities;

• Storage and logistics infrastructure;

• Renewable energy installations;

• Procurement processes and tendering procedures;

• Implementation and commissioning plans.

6. Capacity Building and Mentoring

• Mentor PNU teams involved in business development;

• Strengthen internal capacities in financial analysis, business planning and operational management;

• Facilitate exchanges with external partners and relevant institutions;

• Support the development of a business-oriented culture within the Park.

Expected Deliverables

The Expert is expected to deliver:

1. A Business and Sustainability Development Strategy for PNU;

2. A portfolio of prioritized revenue-generating activities;

3. Business plans and financial models for selected ventures;

4. Legal and governance frameworks for commercial operations;

5. Investment cases and fundraising materials;

6. Implementation roadmaps and operational plans;

7. Capacity-building plans and mentoring reports;

8. Periodic progress reports and recommendations.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Master's degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Agribusiness, Engineering, Development Economics or related fields;

• Minimum 10 years of professional experience in business development and investment projects;

• Proven experience in designing and managing commercial ventures in emerging or fragile contexts;

• Demonstrated experience in agricultural value chains and agro-industrial development;

• Experience in structuring public-private partnerships and commercial entities;

• Proven track record in fundraising and mobilizing investments;

• Fluent in French and English

• Experience with donor-funded projects and international procurement procedures;

• Experience in renewable energy, financing mechanisms or ERP systems is an asset;

• Previous experience in conservation landscapes or protected areas is highly desirable.

Reporting Line

The Expert will report directly to the Park Director and will work closely with the head of the Development Department, and the Finance, Conservation and Community Departments, as well as with external partners and donors.

Key Competencies

• Strategic vision and entrepreneurship;

• Strong business acumen;

• Financial and analytical skills;

• Leadership and mentoring abilities;

• Excellent negotiation and partnership-building skills;

• Ability to work in complex and remote environments;

• Strong intercultural communication skills;

• Results-oriented mindset with a strong commitment to conservation and sustainable development.

Expected Impact

The Expert will contribute to positioning Upemba National Park as a leading model of integrated conservation and development, where sustainable businesses generate tangible benefits for local communities while strengthening the Park’s long-term financial autonomy and conservation mission.