African Parks
Position title: Liuwa Camp – Head Chef
Location: Liuwa Plain National Park, Zambia
Starting date: 1 Oct 2023
Duration : Initial 1 Year Contract
Overview:
Liuwa Camp will be a newly built camp in Liuwa Plain National Park. Zambia and will be managed by the non-profit organization African Parks, on a long-term basis, to protect its wildlife and uplift the surrounding local communities for the ecological, financial and social sustainability of the park. Under African Parks’ management since 2003, Liuwa Plain has one of the oldest conservation histories in Africa, dating back to the 19th century when the King of Barotseland, Lubosi Lewanika, appointed his people as custodians of the landscape. However, by the early 2000s, decades of unsustainable land use, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict resulted in a steep decline of wildebeest and zebra; the grasslands were threatened by agriculture, and just one lioness remained. In 2003, African Parks was invited by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) and the Barotse Royal Establishment to join them in helping ensure the King’s legacy. In 2008, African Parks began a series of lion reintroductions, followed by eland and buffalo to provide a healthy prey base for the growing predator populations. As a result of effective law enforcement, poaching levels subsided and community land use plans were implemented, along with sustainable fish harvesting and other community projects, providing alternative livelihoods for local people. Today, the park hosts the second-largest wildebeest migration in Africa, serves as a stronghold for hyaena, cheetah, lions and wild dogs, and is designated as an Important Bird Area. Liuwa Plain is the largest employer in the region and provides critical educational and health benefits to its approximately 12,000 community members – demonstrating a unique synergy between people and wildlife.
The camp would be designed on an seven-unit concept with main area tent and back of house kitchen, storage and staff accommodation.
6 single units en suite
1 Family unit en suite
It will be a total of 16 adult beds. The camp will be semi permanent and employ within budget, the latest technology in light touch infrastructure, power, refrigeration and alternative energy where possible. This camp will be designed to be installed in 3 months.
Role and Responsibilities:
The role and responsibilities are wide and varying due to the location and environment. They include but are not limited to the following:
- Ordering kitchen supplies and ensuring that ingredients are fresh from main stores
- Controlling kitchen costs according to the number of guests in camp
- Helping management with menu planning considering all guests special dietary requirement
- Preparing good quality dishes with creativity and good presentation
- Ensure there is proper coordination between Kitchen and Dining
- Delegating and managing kitchen staff to ensure meals are prepared in a timely manner
- Meeting and introducing menus to guest
- Ensuring cleanliness, health, food safety and sanitary practices are adhered to in the kitchen
- Ensuring the kitchen is kept clean before and after meal preparations
- Your duties may differ from time to time or be reasonably modified as necessary to meet the needs of the company. These will be delegated from time to time and will be formally communicated to you.
4. Reporting Lines
a. Operational execution and Logistics:
1. Camp Manager
2. Assistant Manager
A comfortable but basic tented accommodation will be provided.
Role requirements:
- A skilled chef demonstrating a combination of efficiency, creativity, multitasking and commitment to preparing the highest quality meals
- Passionate about food and cooking
- Quick decision making
- At least 5 years’ experienc
- Living and operating in remote safari location
- Team player
- Ability to handle criticism
- Fluent in English and Lozi
Key relationships
1. Camp Manager of Liuwa Camp
2. Assistant Camp Manager Liuwa Camp
3. Commercial Development Manager
4. Park Management Team in Liuwa Plain National Park
Summary
This is a unique opportunity to be part of the leading conservation organization in Africa. Liuwa Camp will be a flag ship product of African Parks. The aim is that we can drive much needed revenue for the park operations and ultimately significant funding can be raised to help drive conservation at scale in Africa.
Method of Application
If interested please send your CV and a covering letter to:
Namasiku Mutukwa- [email protected] – Camp manager
Closing date: 25 Aug 2023