About Us:
The Zoological Society of London (ZSL), a charity founded in 1826, is a world-renowned centre of excellence for conservation science and applied conservation. ZSL’s mission is to promote and achieve the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats. This is realised by carrying out field conservation and research in over 50 countries across the globe and through education and awareness-raising at our two zoos, ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, inspiring people to take conservation action.
Overview of role:
We are offering an exciting opportunity for an experienced, innovative and adaptable individual with a keen interest in conservation to manage and develop our EDGE of Existence Conservation Programme (www.edgeofexistence.org), which aims to conserve the world’s most Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) species through raising awareness, building capacity and initiating targeted conservation projects in countries in which they occur.
The role will entail overseeing and securing funding to deliver EDGE’s capacity-building Fellowship programme, and the strategic development and management of larger-scale conservation projects focusing on EDGE species in Africa, Asia and Latin America, working closely with relevant regional and thematic programme staff. The post holder will also lead the development of new EDGE priority lists and identification of EDGE zones (areas of the world containing a disproportionate amount of unique evolutionary history), and communicate EDGE conservation priorities to a range of stakeholder groups. Current focal taxa include mammals, amphibians, birds and reef-building corals but the programme will expand to incorporate additional taxa (e.g. sharks, reptiles) and zones over the next two years.
The post-holder will report to the Director of Conservation Programmes and will manage a team of staff and volunteers based in the UK as well as overseeing EDGE Fellows based overseas.
Main responsibilities will include:
- Managing the production of strategies for programme development and grant writing
- Overseeing project and staff management and administration
- Developing and maintaining relationships with project collaborators, stakeholders and donors
- Liaising with the programme team to coordinate cross-Society programme activities
- Promoting EDGE conservation priorities and ZSL’s conservation work to various stakeholder groups via the EDGE website, conferences, the media and other fora
Person Specification:
The post-holder should have a proven track record in project development, particularly in developing countries and relevant experience and/or a higher degree in an appropriate subject such as conservation biology, conservation/development policy, science communication, anthropology or a related discipline. Candidates should also have:
- Current or previous staff management experience
- A good understanding of global biodiversity conservation issues
- Experience in planning and implementing conservation projects in developing countries
- Excellent written and spoken English
- Strong organisational, interpersonal and presentation skills
- Proven grant-writing and report-writing ability
- Proven effective communication skills
Please Note: The position will be based at ZSL’s offices in London. Some international travel will be required.
To Apply:
Applicants should send their completed Equality of Opportunity Monitoring Form, CV, and a covering letter detailing relevant experience and skills and stating why they want the position, by email to ZSL’s HR Department (hr@zsl.org). We regret that we will only be able to contact applicants who have been selected for interview.
Closing Date: Midnight Wednesday 24th June 2015.
The Zoological Society of London is a charity registered in England and Wales: no. 208728.
