Project Manager

Position: Project Manager  (Conservation and Policy, Fixed-term contract for 7 years, full time)

Salary: £35,833 - £38,663 Inclusive of London weighting 

Location: ZSL London Zoo, hybrid working 2 days per week from home.

The purpose of this role is to support the effective management, delivery and reporting of the BLF project and associated co-financing. This is an exciting and demanding role for a driven project manager who has a passion for biodiversity conservation focussed on the Congo Basin. Based in the UK, the post holder will work closely with central ZSL teams as well as the Regional Lead for West and Central Africa and the BLF Team Leader, both based in Cameroon.  

• Ensuring that programme delivery meets all donor compliance requirements.  
• Representing the Programme,  particularly to a UK audience.  
• Coordinating budget planning, tracking and financial reporting for the BLF and associated co-financing, to ensure that donor standards are reached in the implementation of the project and that the implementation of the project aligns with ZSL’s global standards for conservation, project management 
• Acting as the Conservation & Policy focal person for donor communications and liaison with field teams to ensure effective donor/partner communication.  

• Leading and coordinating all donor reporting (BLF and secured co-financing)  
• Working with the MEL manager, support the development of and coordinate the reporting of the impact framework for projects within the BLF through continuous performance monitoring and reporting of project activities. 
• Supporting Component Leads to secure co-financing for the programme  
• Supporting appropriate procurement planning and guiding associated compliance paperwork  
• Acting as an HQ internal focal person for communications and press relating to BLF activities 
• Supporting country team staff to develop annual workplans and budgets for project activities.  

Please find a complete job description here 

• Extensive experience of working within conservation development and / or internationally funded programmes, including a proven track record in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation processes.  
• Working experience in managing large bi-lateral, multi-stakeholder grants e.g. USAID, KfW, Defra.A commitment to ensuring that all African citizens in the project, including women, the poorest and other marginalised groups, are able to have equal voice and participate 
• Experience of working in complex political and conservation environments, with a sound knowledge ofCentral African countries  
• Excellent communication skills and ability to present to a senior audience
• Excellent programme and team facilitation skills 
• Fluent in English with excellent verbal and written communication skills  
• Ability to work to deadlines 
• Team player, with excellent interpersonal skills working in a multi-disciplinary team and with abilities in consensus-building

• Willingness and ability to travel occasionally to Cameroon, ROC and Gabon 
• Willingness and ability to travel to DEFRA and fund manager offices in London as often as required.  

We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination. ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group. 

We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. 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.

What do we offer? 

At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include:

• Our vision and purpose - you’ll work alongside colleagues who are passionate about science-led conservation, knowing that you will help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct
• Pension scheme - we offer a generous pension scheme with up to 12% contributory pension.
• Flexible working – talk to us about your flexible working requirements and we will do everything we can to make sure you work in a way that suits you
• Holidays – 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays
• Wellbeing – access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Complimentary tickets – annual allocation of Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo tickets, with a 30% discount in online and retail shops
• Cycle2Work - our cycle to work scheme enables you to lease a bicycle
• Season ticket loan - we offer an interest free loan to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work
• Family friendly policies – we offer enhanced maternity and paternity packages 

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. If you require any reasonable adjustments, please contact recruitment@zsl.org

Closing date for applications: Midnight (23:59) on 3rd December 2023

Provisional interview date: Week of the 11th December

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