Head of Forest Protection (Ghana)

About the Organisation

Rainforest Builder is a large-scale tropical forest restoration company operating in West Africa, focused on restoring degraded, biodiverse ecosystems through long-term, community-centred projects. Building a world-class protection department to protect 100,000 hectares.

With operations across multiple countries, a workforce of 2,000+ employees, and thousands of hectares already restored, the organisation is scaling towards 100,000+ hectares under management in the next three years.

Projects are long-term and aligned with leading international standards (e.g. VERRA VCS, CCB), delivering measurable climate, biodiversity, and socioeconomic outcomes in partnership with global organisations and local communities.

The Role

This is a senior project-level role reporting to the General Manager of Project Akwaaba, Rainforest Builder’s flagship restoration project based in Bibiani, Ghana, responsible for ensuring that restored and protected forest areas remain secure and viable over the long term.

Threats that need to be managed include illegal logging, mining and farming; which cause forest degradation or loss.

Forest Protection is the core focus of this role, requiring the design and leadership of large-scale, field-based protection operations.

The successful candidate will bring a strong background in land or asset protection and has experience in establishing teams of guards, intelligence networks and monitoring capabilities (i.e. drones, spatial data, security tracking systems). We currently use the SMART software system but are open to other software options subject to your experience.

You will be responsible to put in place Standard Operating Procedures, monitoring processes, Key Performance Indicators and other fundamentals of this department. Your initial focus would be Project Akwaaba but the handbook that you put in place there will then need to be rolled out across our other active projects (Project Colobus in Ghana and Project Buffalo in Sierra Leone).

Requirements

Forest Protection

• Design and scale protection systems across all project sites
• Develop SOPs, patrol strategies, zoning, and incident response frameworks
• Develop local intelligence networks and community based protection approaches that enable rapid response to threats
• Lead and grow field protection teams (~50+, expanding significantly)
• Integrate GIS, satellite, and drone data into operational decision-making
• Ensure all protection activities align with the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHR)
• Build strong working relationships with local authorities and community leaders
• Establish data-driven monitoring systems to track incidents and performance
• Continuously optimise cost-efficiency as protected areas scale

Security & Human Rights (VPSHR)

• Embed VPSHR principles across all protection operations
• Conduct risk assessments and define rules of engagement
• Oversee training, grievance mechanisms, and incident management
• Ensure transparent reporting to leadership and stakeholders

What Success Looks Like (12–18 Months)

• Zero hectares lost to encroachment and zero trees logged within the concession area; with good community relationships
• A scalable, clearly defined forest protection system operating across all sites
• Strong SOPs, patrol models, and incident response frameworks in place
• A high-performing, disciplined protection team with clear leadership structure
• Measurable reduction in encroachment and illegal activity
• Strong, trust-based relationships with local communities and authorities

Essential Experience

• 5+ years leading national park, land or asset protection at scale (1,000+ hectares), ideally in sub-Saharan Africa
• Significant field-based operational experience including developing intelligence networks to support forest protection
• Proven ability to lead and scale teams of 50+ personnel
• Experience implementing VPSHR-aligned protection approaches (or willingness to learn)
• Working knowledge of IFC Performance Standards
• Ability to use spatial tools (GIS, satellite, drones) for operational decision-making
• Strong experience engaging with rural communities and local stakeholders
• Background in conservation, land use, or natural resource management

Ideal Background

• Landscape-scale conservation (e.g. African Parks, WCS, park authorities)
• Large-scale agriculture, forestry, or plantation operations
• Extractive industries with strong ESG and community frameworks

Education

• Degree in relevant field (e.g. conservation, environmental science, security, social sciences); advanced degree preferred

Languages

• English required; French or West African languages advantageous

Personal Qualities

• Strong operator with a bias for execution
• Comfortable working in remote, challenging environments
• Able to build systems and teams from the ground up
• Credible across field teams, communities, and senior stakeholders
• High integrity and commitment to human rights
• Motivated by long-term environmental impact

Location

Can be based outside of West Africa, but must be willing to travel 50% or more to Bibiani, Ghana and to other Rainforest Builder projects.

Benefits

• Competitive salary plus benefits
• Can be full-time or a consultant

Know someone suitable for the role? Please email [email protected] to learn about our referral fee for this role.