Job Description
Job Title:
Programme Manager, Conservation Technology Unit
Department: Global
Directorate: Conservation Programmes
Responsible to: Jonathan Baillie
Current job holder: Jamie McCallum
Approved by: Jonathan Baillie
Head of Department/ Director: Jonathan Baillie
Job Evaluation Committee Reference Number:
Grade Allocated:
Date Allocated:
Job Description
Key Purpose of the Job
With global biodiversity in rapid decline and a growing number of species on the brink of
extinction, advances in technology are becoming ever more important in helping us to solve
these conservation challenges. ZSL is working with a range of expert partners to design,
develop, manufacture and deploy innovative and integrated technological tools that will
revolutionise wildlife surveillance, biodiversity monitoring and behaviour change through
digital communications. These technologies may be deployed directly by ZSL or shared/sold
with trusted third party organisations. Through using technology we can more efficiently and
effectively collect, process and analyse data at different spatial and temporal scales. This
can better enable us to measure species and habitat status, identify threats, develop
mitigation strategies and test their effectiveness.
The Conservation Technology Unit (CTU) Programme Manager, based in Regent’s Park,
London, will be required to lead a team of 3-4 people and will report directly to the Director of
Conservation. The role will involve maintaining and developing the existing lead projects
(Instant Wild citizen science App and Instant Detect, the remote camera trap and sensing
system using satellite communication) as well as providing overall support on collaborative
projects such as SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) and United for Wildlife
Technology for Conservation Initiative, aiming to bring the conservation and technology
community together to collaboratively develop and implement technology solutions to
address conservation challenges. . The Manager will also be responsible for driving
innovation and identifying funding to support this.
Responsibility for Resources
People
Full line management of, initially, three employees reporting directly to the post-holder.
Where appropriate, this will include conducting performance appraisals, setting objectives
and providing support for both professional and personal development.
The post holder will also oversee the management of approximately 5 key corporate
technology supplier/partner relationships and a further 5-10 technology user relationships.
Other
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Financial resources. The post holder has full accountability for generating and
managing the budget. This will include grant donations as well as income from
technology royalties.
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Confidentiality. The post-holder has access to information about employees in his/her
programmes, about funding agreement budgets, terms and conditions and
occasionally confidential corporate information and is expected to treat all such
information in strict confidence.
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Equipment. Where the programme includes work in the field, the post holder may be
responsible for the appropriate and safe use and maintenance of technologies
developed by or for ZSL.
Main duties and key responsibilities
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The post holder will work with the relevant Section Head and Programme Managers
to oversee the production of the relevant programme strategy. In the context of
ZSL’s overall conservation strategy, and will contribute to the production of the
overall conservation strategy. They are also expected to work with a range of other
ZSL staff to contribute to the development of other ZSL strategies as necessary.
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The post holder will work with other senior staff in the department and in other parts
of ZSL to monitor and evaluate ZSL’s conservation impacts.
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In liaison with other appropriate staff at ZSL, the post holder will be expected to
develop and maintain effective working relationships with sponsors, technical
partners and donors in order to generate and secure funding for CTU projects.
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The post holder will work closely with the relevant Section Head, Programme
Managers and other staff in a range of ZSL offices, to lead on the production of
fundraising proposals appropriate for the programmes and for ZSL’s mission.
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The post holder will oversee the production of financial and programmatic reports
from projects to donors and for ZSL’s internal purposes.
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The post holder will be responsible for ensuring that the projects are appropriately
staffed and for the recruitment, safe working, direct or indirect line management and
support of CTU staff.
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The post holder will work with programme to oversee project design, implementation
and management. Especially this includes the creation, development, delivery and
management of complex technologies for conservation.
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The post holder is expected to ensure that the programmes supply appropriate
information and images for use in ZSL’s website, annual reports, posters and other
literature as needed.
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The post holder will be expected to represent ZSL in the media as needed; this may
include television, radio and newspaper interviews.
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The post holder will ensure that all staff in the programmes follow administrative
processes as necessary. In particular they will ensure that health and safety
processes are followed, that all project records are kept up-to-date in the ZSL
Projects Database and that monthly reports are completed in a timely fashion.
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The post holder will represent ZSL at national and international conferences and
workshops and will be expected to deliver talks and presentations to a range of
audiences.
Building relationships
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The post holder will be expected to maintain good relationships with staff in their
programmes using tact and sensitivity. They must also foster good relationships with
other staff in ZSL and in relevant partner and donor organisations, communicating
the aims and achievements of the programme in an engaging fashion and laying
groundwork for future partnerships and funding.
Mental Demands
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The post holder is responsible for making key operational decisions and strategic
decisions within their programmes and more widely in consultation with other senior
ZSL staff. For example:
o
Participation in strategic planning for ZSL’s conservation work and on the
structure and organisation of the conservation directorate.
o
Working with other senior staff to develop an overall fundraising approach
and suitable fundraising materials for ZSL’s conservation work.
o
Planning how to approach a difficult government agency.
Self-motivation, mental resilience, and the ability to work on one’s own initiative are
therefore critical.
Working Conditions
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This post is office based in the UK however there is a requirement to travel to field
sites, conferences and workshops as required. The work may include periods in field
conditions.
Expectations of job holder
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To ensure that the policy for equality of opportunity is adhered to and promoted in all
aspects of the post holder’s work.
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To ensure effective quality control and continuous improvement in all aspects of the
work and responsibilities attached to this post.
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Demonstrate professionalism towards sensitive and confidential information.
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To comply with and promote health and safety policies and procedures and to undertake
recommended Health and Safety training as and when necessary.
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To be committed to professional self-development, through participation in in-service
training as necessary for the successful carrying out of the job.
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To undertake such other duties as are commensurate with the grade of the post.
NB: This job description is designed to outline a range of main duties that may be
encountered. It is not designed to be an exhaustive list of tasks and can be varied in
consultation with the post holder in order to reflect changes in the job or the organisation.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Experience
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Experience in working at a strategic level, and diplomatic skills are essential.
Commercial sales or manufacturing experience desirable.
Proficient in field of conservation technology and/or emerging technologies that
could benefit conservation including software and hardware solutions.
A proven ability to write successful fundraising proposals for well planned projects is
required.
Extensive experience overseeing the management, implementation and reporting of
large conservation projects is essential.
A MSc or higher qualification in an appropriate field is desirable.
Prior experience in staff management and development is essential.
Creative approach to problem solving
Ability to build and manage corporate relationships.
Willingness to travel abroad to remote field sites to assist in trials and
implementation of tools.
Knowledge
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A thorough and up-to-date understanding of conservation issues in the technological
sphere
Good knowledge of, and good contacts within, funding bodies relevant to
conservation technology
Skills & Abilities
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Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English are essential.
Must be highly computer literate, in particular in MS office packages, specifically
Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
An ability to manage competing priorities and delegate effectively is essential.
Other Requirements
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The post holder will work normal office hours but there will sometimes be a
requirement to work out of office hours or over weekends to meet deadlines or to
travel over weekends.