Ap-X Travel Designer

African Parks; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A conservation organization seeks an AP-X travel designer in Gauteng, South Africa. You will provide vital support in itinerary planning and operational tasks. Candidates must have at least five years' experience in the high-end luxury safari industry and a proactive attitude. Excellent communication and organizational skills are essential. Apply by emailing your CV and expected salary by November 21.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in luxury safari industry.
• Proven track record with suppliers and agents.
• Ability to multitask and manage various experiences.

Responsibilities

• Design and manage travel itineraries.
• Handle administrative and invoicing tasks.
• Support the AP-X project manager operationally.

Skills

Travel knowledge of Africa

Communication skills

Bookkeeping skills

Organizational skills

Independence

Education

Tertiary qualifications

Tools

ResRequest

Safari Portal

Microsoft Office

Job description

Background

African Parks is a non‑profit conservation organization that takes on responsibility for the long‑term management of protected areas in partnership with governments and local communities. African Parks manages 24 protected areas in 13 countries covering over 20 million hectares in Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, the Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Rwanda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. AP‑X is a strategic donor retention, engagement and development program within the African Parks Network. It is a full access, behind‑the‑scenes, bespoke experience that takes place in any park across our portfolio. Designed to both strengthen and create strategic funding relationships for APN – in addition to helping provide quality revenue streams into the park where the experience takes place. It is not available to the main safari or travel trade and will always be accompanied by either an AP senior staff member, fundraising account manager or an approved private guide that is a part of the AP‑X network.

Job Purpose

The AP‑X travel designer will be responsible for providing administrative and operational support to the AP‑X project manager in addition to itinerary planning, execution and delivery of the travel experience taking place in conjunction with the responsible account manager or private guide and park management teams.

Responsibilities

• Travel Design – quoting on travel at cost and building itineraries on Safari Portal; managing reservations, booking process and itineraries once confirmed; liaising with ground handlers and preferred AP‑X suppliers; updating parks with detailed guest information.
• Administration – guest invoicing and payment allocations (ResRequest); supplier invoices and payments to secure services for travel; financial reconciliations (guest invoices, supplier invoices, proof of payments, credit notes and other documentation related to the final reconciliation to the finance team); following up with suppliers and ground handlers; monthly reporting on experiences and revenue; research and assistance on guest profiles; updating Salesforce (CRM platform); updating Safari Portal content pages in conjunction with Marketing and Comms; assisting with implementing and maintaining standard operating procedures; managing supplier SLAs and NDAs.
• Operational – support the AP‑X project manager as and when required with experiences, operational requirements or ad‑hoc requirements; communication on travel WhatsApp groups; assistance and management of the work phone and being on standby during the week and over weekends when travel takes place; travel to the parks may be required.

Requirements for the role

• Tertiary qualifications (proof will be required once shortlisted).
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in the high‑end luxury safari industry with a proven track record – both in operations and reservations (will require three contactable references once shortlisted).
• Proven track record with suppliers and agents (will require two contactable references once shortlisted).
• Experience in using ResRequest and Safari Portal – or similar reservation and itinerary building tools (proof will be required once shortlisted).
• Basic bookkeeping skills, financial acumen and business management.
• Travel knowledge of Angola, Rwanda, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique advantageous.
• Professional, fun, creative, team player who is willing to share ideas and learnings with others.
• Ability to work independently and be self‑motivated.
• Ability to take initiative, with excellent planning and organisational skills.
• Attention to detail with a high level of accuracy.
• Comfortable with multitasking on executing various experiences simultaneously.
• Formidable communication skills, both written and verbal (non‑negotiable).
• Computer literate with Microsoft Office (Outlook, SharePoint, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to build and manage relationships with a wide variety of people and cultures.

How to Apply

To apply, please email your salary expectation, CV and cover letter by 21st of November.

Should you not hear back from us within 2 weeks after the closing date, please take that your application was unsuccessful.