Biodiversity and Oil Palm Project Developer

A position is available, starting as soon as possible, as the Project Developer of the Zoological Society of London’s Biodiversity & Oil Palm Project, initially to be based in Indonesia. Recognising that oil palm expansion is set to continue in Indonesia, this project was initiated in 2009 with the aim of finding practical solutions to mitigating the impact of palm oil production on biodiversity, primarily through working to assist in more effective implementation of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil certification scheme. This has involved developing practical guidance for identifying and managing High Conservation Value species and habitats, establishing a website to improve access to scientific research and resources to assist in this task, and convening an international symposium to review the science and practice of realising sustainable palm oil and catalyse the actions needed by each sector to achieve this.

We have also been working to identify and overcome policy related barriers that currently hinder efforts to reduce the impact of palm oil production on biodiversity inIndonesia. In order to achieve this, ZSL works closely with the RSPO through participation in the Biodiversity & High Conservation Working Group, as well as a range of palm oil stakeholders. The next phase of the project, which is set to run until November 2012, will build on this work by engaging with producers, the RSPO and both the international and Indonesian HCV Resource Networks to develop and field test a practical system for HCV monitoring. Alongside this, we will also be working to develop an online Palm Oil Environmental Resource Centre to provide stakeholders from throughout the supply chain with guidance on the actions that can be taken to reduce the impact of palm oil production on the environment.

The successful candidate will be responsible promoting and developing the Biodiversity and Oil Palm Project and the further expansion of this work inIndonesiaand inAfrica. The primary focus of this role will initially be to develop the Palm Oil Environmental Resource Centre website, which will provide up to the minute information for palm oil stakeholders throughout the supply chain, from consumers to growers. This will require liaison with both the RSPO and the Royal Society Stability of Altered Forest Ecosystems project, which will be collaborating on the development of this website. This post will also be required to work closely with the Biodiversity and Oil Palm project manager to engage with representatives from the private sector, the RSPO, HCV Resource Networks and other key stakeholders to further develop and promote the use of the HCV monitoring system.

The post will be initially based in Bogor, Indonesia but the post holder will be expected to travel within Asia and also spend some time in the UK and possibly Africa.

The post holder should have an MsC, ideally with demonstrated experience in forestry, conservation science, natural resource management or a related discipline related to policy. Experience of working with the private sector is essential, preferably with the agricultural commodities sector. A sound working knowledge of certification schemes and agricultural commodities production, ideally oil palm, is highly desirable.

The successful candidate should have excellent communication skills. Experience of living and working in a developing country is desirable, as is a good understanding of oil palm and tropical forest issues, fluency in both spoken and written English. A second language of either French or Bahasa Indonesia is highly desirable.

A base salary of £22,000 to £24,481 p.a., plus benefits including, annual return flight from Europe toIndonesia, visa, and insurance under ZSL’s group travel insurance policy will be provided. The position is to start as soon as possible.

To apply please send your CV and covering letter to Indonesia@zsl.org.

Deadline for applications is Tuesday 8^th November 2011

Interviews will be called from the 10^th November onwards