Job Opportunities at Kontak Recruitment

• This senior leadership role is responsible for establishing and leading a newly created canine conservation facility dedicated to advancing wildlife protection through professionally trained working dogs. Based onsite within a private game reserve in the Eastern Cape, the position offers the unique opportunity to conceptualise, design, build, and operationalise a full-scale canine training and breeding facility from inception. The Director will oversee infrastructure development, breeding and acquisition strategy, structured dog-handler training programs, animal welfare standards, staff leadership, financial oversight, and integration of canine units into broader conservation and anti-poaching operations. The role carries significant strategic autonomy within a larger conservation framework and requires strong leadership, technical K9 expertise, operational management capability, and the ability to represent the program to stakeholders, donors, and institutional partners

Minimum Requirements:

• Advanced qualifications or certifications in K9 handling and training (DH-5: military, police, detection, or protection)
• Demonstrated experience managing professional canine programs
• Comprehensive understanding of canine behaviour, psychology, and ethical training methodologies for high-drive working breeds
• Veterinary science, animal biology, or related academic/professional background (strongly preferred)
• Proven experience designing, implementing, or managing complex operational facilities or structured training programs
• Strong leadership, supervisory, and team management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience working in remote, semi-wilderness, or physically demanding environments
• High level of physical fitness and adaptability
• Background in anti-poaching, wildlife management, law enforcement, or security operations (advantageous)
• Ability to serve as a credible public spokesperson in formal and media settings
• Willingness to reside onsite in the Eastern Cape

Duties and Responsibilities:
Facility Planning and Development

• Lead the full design, construction oversight, and operational planning of the canine facility
• Define infrastructure requirements including kennels, training areas, veterinary spaces, and accommodation
• Liaise with engineers, architects, and contractors to ensure compliance with welfare, safety, and conservation standards

Breeding and Acquisition Program

• Establish and manage a sustainable breeding and acquisition strategy for tracking, detection, and protection dogs
• Identify suitable breeds and define genetic and performance criteria
• Maintain comprehensive health, lineage, and performance records

Training and Certification Framework

• Design and implement a structured, multi-level training curriculum for dogs and handlers
• Ensure dog-handler teams achieve certification standards for operational readiness and field deployment

Handler Recruitment and Development

• Oversee recruitment, selection, and training of canine handlers
• Promote local community engagement and gender inclusivity
• Implement mentorship and structured professional development programs

Canine Health and Welfare Management

• Maintain the highest standards of animal welfare
• Supervise daily care, exercise routines, and dietary management
• Establish veterinary partnerships and oversee medical record keeping
• Implement preventive healthcare protocols and emergency response procedures

Staff Supervision and Leadership

• Recruit and manage trainers, kennel technicians, and support staff
• Set performance objectives and conduct regular performance reviews
• Foster a disciplined, collaborative, and respectful work environment

Operational and Financial Oversight

• Develop and manage annual operating budgets
• Approve expenditures and ensure financial accountability
• Produce operational and financial reports for senior management and funding bodies

Coordination with Conservation Operations

• Integrate canine units into broader wildlife protection and anti-poaching strategies
• Coordinate deployment with rangers, ecologists, and law enforcement teams

External Representation and Partnership Development

• Represent the program to donors, government agencies, academic institutions, and external stakeholders
• Participate in conferences, outreach initiatives, and media engagements
• Strengthen strategic partnerships to enhance program impact

Compliance and Record Management

• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation and international best practices in animal welfare and working-dog management
• Maintain detailed records of training progress, deployments, certifications, and performance evaluations

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• An established venture capital firm founded in 2020, has grown rapidly with a diversified portfolio of investments across agriculture, banking, and financial services. Seeking a dynamic Financial Manager to act as the 2IC to the CFO and manage the financial operations of multiple entities valued at over R350 million. This is a highly entrepreneurial and client-facing role, offering exposure to diverse sectors, investment acquisitions, and NCR-licensed operations.
• The ideal candidate will bring technical excellence, commercial acumen, and the ability to engage confidently with clients across industries, particularly in agriculture. This is a role for a driven professional who thrives under pressure, is open to growth, and is excited by the opportunity to contribute to an ambitious and expanding business.

Minimum Requirements:

• Newly Qualified Chartered Accountant (CA(SA))
• 2–3 years post-articles experience
• Experience or background in agriculture (advantageous)
• Banking or insurance articles / banking background highly beneficial
• Fully office-based with willingness to relocate if required
• Valid driver’s licence and own transport (travel to clients required monthly or bi-monthly)

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the financial operations of 7 entities with a collective value of R350 million.
• Report directly to the CFO and act as second-in-command (2IC) in driving financial strategy and oversight.
• Oversee investment management and ensure compliance with NCR requirements.
• Prepare, review, and present financial reports, forecasts, and budgets to stakeholders.
• Engage with farming and agricultural clients, building relationships and supporting investment-related decisions.
• Travel across South Africa to meet with clients, assess opportunities, and maintain investor confidence.
• Participate in business growth initiatives, including potential client-facing presentations and investment negotiations.
• Support the CFO in strategic decision-making, financial planning, and risk management.
• Ensure effective cashflow, treasury, and asset management across entities.
• Contribute to process improvement, financial controls, and operational efficiencies.

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• A privately owned bush and coastal game reserve in the Eastern Cape is seeking a hands-on Head Chef to lead kitchen operations and deliver consistent, high-quality daily meal service for both staff and ownership. The role includes preparing hearty, practical meals for on-site staff as well as refined, fine-dining standard meals for the ownership couple, serving as ongoing preparation for future guest-facing dining
• The position offers strong long-term growth potential, with plans to establish a world-class restaurant within the next two years. The successful candidate will begin in a hands-on operational capacity and progressively expand into broader responsibilities including menu strategy, staffing, service standards, food and beverage oversight, and overall restaurant performance

Minimum Requirements:

• Proven experience as a Chef in a restaurant, lodge, hotel, or comparable hospitality environment
• Strong understanding of professional kitchen operations, food safety, hygiene, and stock control
• Experience in menu development, costing, and portion control
• Ability to lead, train, and manage kitchen staff effectively
• High personal standards with strong attention to detail
• Comfortable working in a remote or semi-remote environment within a small team
• Willingness to grow and take on increasing responsibility
• Formal culinary qualification advantageous
• Valid food safety/hygiene certification advantageous
• South African citizenship or valid work authorisation required

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepare daily meals for approximately six on-site staff, including nutritious meals and packed field lunches
• Prepare and present most daily meals for ownership to a refined, guest-level standard
• Manage day-to-day kitchen operations, ensuring efficiency, consistency, and high food quality standards
• Design, develop, and refine menus aligned with seasonal availability and long-term restaurant vision
• Control food costs through effective stock management, supplier coordination, portion control, and waste minimisation
• Ensure full compliance with food safety, hygiene, and sanitation standards
• Establish kitchen systems and operating procedures suitable for future restaurant operations
• Train, supervise, and mentor kitchen staff as the operation grows
• Work closely with ownership to develop the future restaurant concept, menus, and operational framework
• Gradually assume increased responsibility for food and beverage operations, service standards, and staff development
• Contribute to a consistently high-quality hospitality experience across the reserve

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• This senior leadership role is designed for a seasoned Professional Hunter with extensive dangerous game experience and a strong mentorship background. The position leads field operations, oversees guided hunts, trains junior hunters, and supports conservation and tourism integration. The role requires advanced risk management capability, operational oversight, and ecological collaboration to ensure professional excellence and sustainable wildlife management within a private game reserve setting

Minimum Requirements:

• Valid South African Professional Hunter License (minimum 5 years’ experience)
• Dangerous Game Certification with proven field experience
• Strong knowledge of Eastern Cape wildlife and terrain
• Demonstrated leadership and mentoring experience
• Advanced risk assessment and operational planning capability
• Strong guest handling and safety management experience
• Advantageous: Afrikaans, German, or Xhosa
• Advantageous: Anti-poaching or tactical security training
• Advantageous: Formal qualification in wildlife management, conservation, or eco-tourism

Duties and Responsibilities:

Hunting & Guest Services

• Lead guided plains and dangerous game hunts
• Conduct pre-hunt briefings and post-hunt debriefings
• Manage risk planning and guest safety protocols
• Oversee trophy documentation and legal/export compliance

Staff Mentorship & Team Development

• Mentor and coach junior hunters and apprentices
• Foster professional, ethical, and disciplined team culture
• Conduct performance assessments
• Support structured development programs

Reserve Conservation Support

• Contribute to ecological planning and quota setting
• Monitor species health, veld condition, and predator-prey balance
• Support conservation partnerships and regulatory engagement

Operational Oversight

• Manage firearms, vehicles, and field equipment
• Design field schedules and hunting blocks
• Oversee equipment logistics
• Contribute to budget planning and procurement
• Support operational reporting