Tsavo Technical Adviser (Full-time/ 2 year Fixed Term Contract)

About Us:

ZSL has worked in Kenya since 1989, providing technical support and training of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), and since then, has established, advised, built capacity for and supported wildlife and livestock health programmes, patrol-based and camera trap monitoring, intensive protection zones and strategic planning for protected areas (e.g. Tsavo, Boni-Dodori, Aberdare) and critically endangered species (including black rhino, elephant, hirola and roan antelope).

Overview of role:

ZSL is seeking an experienced, innovative and adaptable individual to provide technical support and training of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). In addition to ongoing protected area management to support KWS, the successful individual will develop ZSL partnerships and collaborations with the community and private conservancies which focus on issues of human-wildlife conflict (HWC), buffer zone management, conservation incentives and use of conservation technology for anti-poaching. Recently ZSL has been engaged in the development of new conservation technologies such as SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) law enforcement monitoring and ZSL’s Instant Detect anti-poaching systems.

The post holder will be report to the Kenya Country Manager and support them in the management of ZSL’s Kenya Country Programme, delivering projects in the Tsavo Conservation Area. This person will be a technical adviser and project manager, working hand-in-hand with the Kenya Wildlife Service. Main responsibilities will include:

·         Overseeing protected area support for Tsavo West National Park, and all areas of the Tsavo Conservation Area.

·         Developing training law enforcement rangers to utilise and deploy ZSL’s Instant Wild anti-poaching systems.

·         Progressing existing monitoring systems to fill data gaps in law enforcement coverage, threat analysis, and rhino and elephant population monitoring.

·         Working closely with KWS to identify training needs for the Manyani law enforcement training academy, before building the relevant capacity.

Person Specification:

·         Masters degree in related discipline (such as biological sciences, conservation, natural resource management etc.), or equivalent work experience.

·         Proven experience of engaging with a wide range of stakeholders: international, national, governmental and non-governmental.

·         Experience in monitoring techniques (ranger-based monitoring).

·         Good understanding of biodiversity conservation issues in East Africa.

·         Excellent written and spoken English,

·         Ability to speak Kiswahili, is a plus.

·         Strong organisational, interpersonal and presentation skills.

·         Proven success in planning, managing and implementing conservation projects (project, financial and personnel management) and strategies.

Please Note: this position will be based in Tsavo (Kenya) and will require significant travel around the wider region.

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.