Lead, Exploration - Tanzania

Role Objective

The Exploration Lead is accountable for orchestrating and delivering comprehensive operational, logistical, procurement, and field support to ensure the success of Greenfield exploration initiatives throughout Tanzania. Operating within a roster system in field settings, this role guarantees the provision of necessary personnel, equipment, transportation, camps, materials, and contractor support to meet exploration goals in a safe, efficient, and cost-conscious manner. Collaborating closely with the Exploration Manager, Senior Geologist, and technical teams, the position provides strategic operational direction in logistics, procurement, camp management, fleet coordination, inventory oversight, and field execution, all while strictly adhering to Health, Safety, Environment and Community (HSEC) standards, corporate governance, and legal mandates. The role primarily targets deliverables with 3-6 month operational plans with contributions to longer-term programs up to one year.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic planning, coordination, and execution of operational support for Greenfield exploration projects.
• Manage day-to-day field operations ensuring exploratory activities conform to safety protocols, efficiency standards, and approved work plans.
• Steer daily coordination meetings, allocate operational duties, and supervise activity progress against priorities.
• Integrate functions among geology, technicians, administration, logistics, and contractors to ensure smooth project delivery.
• Champion a culture of high performance, operational excellence, responsibility, and ongoing process improvement.
• Oversee logistics including transportation, flights, accommodation, camps setup, supplies, and field mobilization.
• Manage procurement processes to secure timely acquisition of equipment, materials, and services within budgets and governance norms.
• Maintain continuous availability of essentials such as fuel, water, food, sampling consumables, PPE, and other operational items.
• Evaluate supplier and contractor delivery against quality and timeline expectations.
• Identify and implement opportunities to enhance logistics, procurement efficiency, and cost management while safeguarding service quality.
• Coordinate support for drilling, sampling, site preparation, access development, and land rehabilitation activities.
• Supervise field staff including support personnel, drivers, and geotechnicians ensuring safety and efficiency.
• Assist geological teams by providing necessary infrastructure and equipment to meet exploration milestones.
• Manage emergency readiness and participate in related drills.
• Maintain exploration camps meeting safety, hygiene, environmental and operational standards.
• Oversee maintenance, servicing, security, and deployment of fleet, equipment, and assets.
• Monitor asset conditions, ensure preventive maintenance and repairs are performed timely.
• Ensure camps, equipment, and infrastructure comply with corporate and regulatory standards.
• Lead inventory management for equipment, materials, PPE, and consumables with proper tracking and stock control.
• Manage chain-of-custody procedures for samples and materials ensuring traceability.
• Supervise and develop field staff, drivers, contractors, and technical support team members.
• Ensure personnel hold required certifications, licenses, and competencies.
• Provide on-the-job training for operational, sampling, equipment handling, quality assurance, and safety procedures.
• Monitor and improve workforce performance as needed.
• Promote proactive safety leadership and adherence to HSEC standards and legislation.
• Conduct field safety inspections, risk assessments, and hazard identification consistently.
• Enforce standard operating procedures, job hazard analyses, fatal hazard controls, and fitness for work requirements.
• Investigate incidents thoroughly and oversee implementation of corrective measures.
• Encourage environmentally-conscious practices and community engagement in operations.
• Assist Exploration Manager with operational work plans, logistics scheduling, and resource allocation.
• Monitor expenditures against budgets; seek cost-saving initiatives without sacrificing safety or effectiveness.
• Prepare thorough operational reports on logistics, procurement, inventory, contractor performance, and field activities.
• Keep accurate records related to operations, permits, risk assessments, and logistics to ensure compliance and support audits.
• Ensure adherence to all relevant laws, permits, and regulatory standards governing exploration activities.
• Comply with internal company policies around procurement, financial controls, governance, and ethical standards.
• Foster transparency, responsible resource management, and uphold company values and code of conduct throughout operational processes.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Geology, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, or Material Management and Logistics.
• Relevant technical trade qualifications or complementary certifications are advantageous.
• At least seven years of experience in exploration field operations.
• Strong background in service delivery and logistics within the exploration industry.

Skills & Knowledge

• Proven leadership and management capabilities.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Sound knowledge of resource extraction and drilling industry processes.
• Good mechanical and technical understanding.
• Expertise in sampling theory, practices, and QA/QC methods.
• Strong grasp of safety and environmental management systems with practical implementation experience.
• Awareness of cultural and community sensitivities relevant to operational areas.
• Customer service-oriented approach.
• Proficient computer skills.
• Physically and medically fit for remote fieldwork; able to comply with vaccination and health requirements.