W-A-P Landscape Manager

We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction. Through the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists and our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos, we guide and enable others in the UK and all across the world. Inspiring, informing, empowering – working for wildlife.

ZSL are seeking an individual with leadership and management experience to lead their programme in the W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) landscape The successful candidate will be ZSL’s senior representative in the WAP region and will be responsible for the management and strategic direction of the Programme. The post holder will line manage three employees and report directly to ZSL’s Head of Operations and oversee all ZSL’s operations in Benin and Niger in line with the ZSL 200 strategy (click here for more information).

ZSL’s programme in Benin and the wider W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) landscape works with governments, local communities, and the private sector and NGO/IGO partners to support effective protected area management and species focused conservation in this priority site for African conservation. An opportunity exists for a new position to join the small, dynamic ZSL Benin team to manage delivery of this expanded programme of work.

The post will be based in Cotonou with national travel to Kandi , international travel to Niamey and field sites where security allows. in Kenya and to attend meetings and workshops. The work will include extended periods in field conditions. Travel requirements fluctuate through the year, but can take up to 50% of this role. The position is to start as soon as possible.

• Responsible for making key strategic and operational decisions in consultation with the Head of Operations and the Director of Conservation and Policy;
• Ensure delivery of ongoing grants to deliver conservation in the landscape at with scientific excellence;
• Recruitment and management of staff, including performance monitoring, mentoring, and training.
• Ensuring that the landscape budget is appropriately managed, spent, documented, and reported on, both internally and externally through cooperation with staff and consultants.
• Responsible for the generation of accurate and timely financial and programmatic reports to ZSL HQ, donors, stakeholders and government.
• Track, manage and report on the performance and impact of the Programme, including monitoring and evaluation of financial and technical deliverables.
• Maintain and nurture existing, and develop new, relationships and partnerships with relevant actors in the country, including government authorities, donor agencies, national and international NGOs, private sector and research institutions.
• Identify fundraising opportunities and secure funds for the programme, including the preparation of fundraising proposals and project budgets.

This is a management level position which requires proven leadership experience and experience of managing conservation projects, teams of people and associated resources in developing countries. The successful applicant will have a track record of strategic programme development, securing and managing funds from a range of funding sources and experience of developing and managing relationships with partners and donors. Candidates should also have:

• Excellent verbal and written French essential with good English desirable.
• Extensive operations experience in an international NGO or similar non-profit, working across multiple project portfolios.
• Good knowledge of HR, finance and health and safety policies, procedures and best practice, with experience of applying them in international organisations.
• Excellent presentation, reporting and communication skills, able to distil complex information, and offer strategic insight and robust challenge to colleagues from across ZSL.
• Highly developed planning, coordination, and project management skills, able to organise a substantial workload comprised of diverse tasks and responsibilities.
• Proven ability to develop and implement impactful strategies in partnership with colleagues from various disciplines.
• Experience of living and working in developing countries, ideally in Africa.
• Proven track record of writing successful proposals to trusts, foundations and institutions.
• Experience of managing relationships with partners and donors.
• Experience of technical and financial report writing.
• Experience in designing, conducting and analysing social surveys would be an advantage
• Experience in community engagement work in a developing world, ideally African, context would be an advantage ;
• Demonstrable track-record in working with a wide range of teams – with a good understanding of diverse areas such as IT, health & safety, risk and procurement – able to apply knowledge to changing programming contexts.

For a full job description in English, please click here. 

For a full job description in French, please click here

Applicants will need to upload their CV and covering 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 on the ZSL website. 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: 23:59 BST, Sunday 28 March 2021

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