Senior Programme Manager – Africa Conservation Programmes (Full-time/ Perm)

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:

ZSL is seeking an experienced conservationist with initiative, drive, and excellent leadership and communication skills to take forward our Africa Conservation Programme. This position reports to the Head of Regional Programmes and, working collaboratively with ZSL’s technical expertise teams where appropriate, oversees and develops all of ZSL’s site-based conservation work in Africa. The post-holder will be directly responsible for the Central, East and Southern Africa country programme - currently working in Kenya, with a history of involvement in central Africa and a brief for expansion in line with ZSL’s strategic priorities - and will also oversee, via line management of the Programme Manager for the West and North Africa & Middle East programme, ZSL’s work in those regions, currently best developed in Cameroon and Saudi Arabia, with additional involvement in Benin and Chad.

Main responsibilities will include:

·         Working with the relevant Section Head and Programme Managers to oversee the production of the relevant programme and country strategies, in the context of ZSL’s overall conservation strategy, and contributing to the production of the overall conservation strategy.

·         Producing financial and programmatic reports from projects to donors and for ZSL’s internal purposes.

·         Programme development, and grant writing aligned to ZSL’s mission targets and major initiatives; project and staff management and administration.

·         Building and maintaining relationships with project collaborators, stakeholders and donors.

·         Managing the coordination of cross-Society programme activities.

·         External representation and promotion of ZSL and its conservation work at conferences.

The ideal candidate will have:

·         Proven experience in field conservation and project development and management or a higher degree in an appropriate subject such as conservation biology, conservation/development policy or a related discipline.

·         Current or previous staff management experience with the ability to critically assess and propose alternative course of action.

·         Good understanding of biodiversity conservation issues in Africa.

·         Experience working in the region.

·         Excellent written and spoken English.

·         Strong organisational, interpersonal and presentation skills.

·         Proven grant-writing and report-writing ability.

Please Note: The position will be based at ZSL’s offices in London and will involve significant travel to the relevant countries.

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 Sunday 29^th March 2015.

Anticipated Interview Date: W/c – 6^th April.

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