Aircraft Maintenance Engineer

Background

African Parks is a non-profit conservation organisation that takes on the complete responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks in partnership with governments and local communities. Founded in 2000 in response to the dramatic decline of protected areas due to poor management and lack of funding, African Parks is currently managing 22 national parks and protected areas in 12 countries covering over 20 million hectares in: Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, the Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

African Parks utilises a clear business approach to conserving Africa’s wildlife and remaining wild areas, securing vast landscapes and carrying out the necessary activities needed to protect the parks and their wildlife. The organisation maintains a strong focus on economic development and poverty alleviation of surrounding communities to ensure that each park is ecologically, socially, and financially sustainable in the long-term.

Since 2017, Benin Government has entered into a long-term agreement with African Parks to revitalize, rehabilitate and develop both Pendjari and W National Parks. Together, these two Parks form a significant portion of the W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) Complex, a globally significant transboundary landscape representing the largest intact wild ecosystem in West Africa.

The ultimate objective is to ensure that these protected areas are managed in a holistic way, ensuring that they are ecologically, socio-politically and financially sustainable. These three elements interact with one another and impact on each other, and therefore all three need to be considered in long-term planning and in all decision making. To achieve this desired impact of long-term sustainability, African Parks implements the following five key pillars of management in all the parks that it manages: (i) Park Management and Infrastructure, (ii) Law Enforcement, (iii) Biodiversity Conservation, (iv) Community Development and (v) Tourism and Enterprise Development. If well implemented, these protected areas will not only contribute to improved ecosystem services, but will bring safety and stability to these regions and drive socio-economic growth.

As part of its operations in Benin, African Parks operates an aircraft fleet made up with one Cessna 182, one Savannah (the second Savannah is ordered and will be delivered by end of 2023) and one Foxbat ultra-light aircraft. These aircraft operate in the two parks managed by African Parks in Benin. (Pendjari and W National Parks, Benin). The maintenance base will mainly be fixed at Pendjari Park’s Ops base. African Parks is therefore seeking a highly organized, self-motivated and passionate individual with great technical skills and abilities for the role of Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.

Primary Purpose

The Aircraft Maintenance Engineer will be responsible for the management, maintenance, coordination and support of the aircraft fleet. This aims at ensuring a safe, efficient and maximum use of existing aviation’s material and human resources in Benin in order to provide effective, safe and compliant aerial support to the parks.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in the administration, management and maintenance of African Parks’ Aircraft fleet and African Parks Maintenance Facility in accordance with accredited Civil Aviation Authorities (ANAC / FAA or similar), African Parks’ Manual of Procedure (MOP) and SOPs as amended and Aircraft Manufacturer and Industry Best Practice Guidelines.
• Operate, maintain and repair in a safe and correct manner in accordance with MOP, QC, SMS, and APN SOP’s (e.g. Parts Control, Maintenance & Recording, etc,) good standard of practices and including organizational policies and procedures.
• Report any unsafe airworthiness matters to the responsible AMO and Management immediately.
• Ensure the use of documentation from which you plan and do maintenance is the latest version.
• Plan scheduled and unscheduled maintenance in consultation with the Aviation Supervisor, Park Management Units and maintenance support suppliers.
• Ensure that all maintenance is recorded (correct and complete) in the aircraft maintenance logbooks and through aircraft maintenance and status tracking programs for traceability in a timeous manner and within guidelines stipulated.
• Repair and record in the CRMA defects (snags) reported to or by the operator and Management on a monthly basis on unclosed defects.
• Ensure the life-limited parts, according to manufacturers’ recommendations, are captured correctly in the status report. Advise technical records on necessary changes to status.
• Ensure your personal file is up to date with your latest amendments at your base and with the main base.
• Keep your professional AME license current.
• Evaluate SB’s, AD’s and all other requirements issued by the manufacturer or the Authorities ensuring continuing airworthiness and reporting your recommendations to the Management
• Ensure that all tools and equipment on Pendjari maintenance base are accounted for as per register and are maintained for serviceability. Complete an inventory check every 6 months to confirm status.
• Maintain and manage the required spares, parts and supplies to ensure continued airworthiness and limit aircraft down time.

Competencies, qualifications and experience needed for the role:

• ICAO/EASA/FAA AME license,
• ROTAX engine experience on Savannah and Foxbat (as applicable to APN aircraft types)
• Experience on ICP Savannah and Aeroprakt A22 Foxbat airframes and components
• 5+ years of operational aviation maintenance experience is required
• A thorough understanding of aircraft maintenance record keeping and reporting – both routinely and on tasks.
• A professional commitment to the safety and quality of aircraft and maintenance facilities
• Strong computer literacy – Microsoft Office 365, including a good understanding of aviation-based IT software – maintenance planning, manuals, component tracking.
• Be willing to work flexible hours and on weekends from time to time.
• Good work ethics and the ability to self-manage while also working effectively within teams
• French speaking will be beneficial
• Dynamism, pugnacity, diplomacy and loyalty

How to apply

To apply, please email in a single PDF format your CV, cover letter and proof of relevant work experience explaining why you are a suitable candidate, along with three references to [email protected] copying [email protected] with subject heading: “Aircraft Maintenance Engineer position _Last Name” by 17th September 2023.