Project Manager, Cheetah and Wild Dogs (Full-Time / 6 Months Maternity Cover Contract)

ZSL (Zoological Society of London) is an international conservation charity working to create a world where wildlife thrives. From investigating the health threats facing animals to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, ZSL is committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction. Our work is realised through our ground-breaking science, our field conservation around the world and engaging millions of people through our two zoos, ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. For more information, visit www.zsl.org.

ZSL is seeking a Project Manager to provide maternity cover for the southern Africa regional coordinator for the Range Wide Conservation Program for Cheetah and African Wild Dogs (RWCP). The RWCP is a joint initiative of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).  The RWCP team comprises a project leader, Dr Sarah Durant, based at ZSL, and three regional coordinators:  Dr Nick Mitchell for East Africa (based in Tanzania), Dr Audrey Ipavec for north, west, central Africa (based in Benin) and Dr Rosemary Groom for southern Africa (based in Zimbabwe).

The Program, initiated in 2007, works across Africa, including all countries where cheetah and wild dogs exist in the wild.  Its aim is to support, coordinate and implement projects, strategies, concepts and ideas that directly promote the conservation of wild populations of these two species, with the long-term goal of reversing population declines.  The program focuses its activities around agreed frameworks for conservation action, including, to date, three Regional Conservation Strategies and 19 National Conservation Action and Management Plans, which encompass the majority of known cheetah and wild dog range.

More information can be found at http://www.cheetahandwilddog.org/.

The position should be based in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe or the UK. Applications from South Africa, Mozambique and Malawi will also be considered, or other European countries with easy access to the UK.

The job will involve, but is not limited to:

• Fundraising - a significant proportion of your time will be spent on grant application for various ongoing projects primarily focused on the Program’s southern African Cheetah Landscape.
• Supporting ongoing projects to safeguard the KAZA cheetah landscape, including projects in Angola and Zambia.
• Grant management: As well as managing funds for the RWCP southern Africa office, this will also include the initial phase of an IUCN / SOS grant for a community conservancy project in Zambia
• Supporting the RWCP field team in Angola and, where needed, managing the finances for ongoing projects in Angola.
• Supporting governments in numerous ways to implement their national conservation strategies
• Compiling and maintaining wild dog and cheetah databases
• Managing and detailing all project expenditure against pre-existing budget lines
• Helping to keep the RWCP Facebook page active
• Assisting with project reporting requirements.

Some travel to attend meetings and workshops (usually within southern Africa) may also be required (all such expenses are covered by the project budget).

• Educated to postgraduate MSc and/or PhD degree level in a relevant subject such as wildlife management, conservation biology or equivalent qualification or have equivalent level of work experience in a relevant field.
• Prior experience in conservation research or management of large carnivores, preferably cheetah and African wild dogs.
• Working knowledge of conservation issues in the Southern Africa region. Specific knowledge related to Cheetah and African Wild Dogs is preferred.
• Knowledge of species conservation principles and an understanding of approaches to wildlife surveys and management.
• Prior experience in coordinating conservation projects, including managing budgets and work-plans for time dependent and restricted budget projects.
• Proven fundraising experience from a variety of different funding sources, including bilateral and multilateral donors.
• Proven grant management experience in an international NGO or similar non-profit, overseeing diverse funding portfolios from a range of funding sources.
• Excellent written / oral communication skills with proven experience in delivering high quality scientific and/or management reports.
• Able to operate sensitively and effectively within a multicultural, international environment
• The ability to use GIS systems to present spatial information (desirable).
• Ability to speak and write Portuguese (desirable).

Please note: The post is offered on a full-time, 6 months fixed-term (Maternity Cover) contract. The position can be based at either London Zoo or one of five Southern African countries (Angola, Botswana, Namibia Zambia or Zimbabwe). The successful candidate will need to be flexible with national travel to attend meetings and workshops and to visit field sites as and when required. The position is expected to start on Monday 26th November 2018. 

Applicants will need to upload their CV and cover letter (detailing relevant experience and skills, stating why they want the position and including details of availability) and can do this by clicking the "Apply for this job online" button. If you have any queries regarding this position or when applying through the system please contact Human Resources at hr@zsl.org.

Closing date for applications: Midnight (23:59) Sunday 7th October 2018

The Zoological Society of London is a charity registered in England and Wales: no. 208728.