Position Title:
Grade range:
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Rhino Impact Bond Project Manager
£30,249-£35,288 (inc. London weighting)
Senior Policy Advisor, Science to Government and Industry Unit
Based in London with international travel as required
Start Date: As soon as possible
Contract Duration: Initially 1 year
The illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife parts has reached crisis level and is having severe impacts on species around the world, which if unabated could see the extinction of some of the world’s most charismatic creatures, including rhino in the next 10 years. The international donor community has recently recognised the threats posed by this illicit trade including impacts on national security.
ZSL has recently initiated a major project, which is proposing the development of a Rhino Impact Bond with the
United Nations Development Programme and United for Wildlife, comprised of seven of the largest field based conservation organisation in the world and the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and
Prince Harry. This project is a first for conservation, using the Development Impact Bond approach to create an innovative financing mechanism that can generate funding at the scale necessary to address the poaching crisis.
With commitments of funding from the Global Environment Facility and the Royal Foundation the initial main focus of this post will be on the implementation of the project preparation phase for the development of a
Medium Sized Project, due in March 2015.
Given the gravity of the situation and the potential scale of the programme, ZSL seeks a dedicated individual, available immediately, to scale up and coordinate this important cross cutting programme across its conservation programmes and the wider society. The Post will report directly to the Senior Policy Advisor and sit within the
Science to Government and Industry Unit (SGIU) based in ZSL London’s HQ. The post holder will be required to work closely with technical specialists both within the SGIU and across all regional programmes, where relevant.
Rhino Impact Bond Project
This is a large project which is serviced by a number of different programmes within ZSL. The post’s primary responsibility will be to lead on the implementation of this project working closely with the Conservation Finance
Technical Specialist who will be leading on the design of the structure of the Bond. The post holder will required to ensure the smooth running and timely delivery of project goals by making sure co-ordination between ZSL programmes is optimized. Specifically the post holder will be required to:
Site identification and performance mechanism o Coordinate Rhino stakeholder consultation including meetings and workshops as necessary o Following consultations identify up to 5 project sites to implement MSP o Input and coordination of the development of the ‘Performance Mechanism’ / standard o Secure stakeholder ‘buy in’ to Performance mechanism o Close liaison with the Conservation Finance Specialist to ensure that the necessary site based information and relevant indicators are fed into the development of the bond structure.
Project Development
Following completion of the above activities, ensure the development of the following components of the
Medium Sized Proposal, working closely with the Conservation Finance Specialist, and bringing together sections written by other parties. o Design of detailed project strategy, including incremental cost analysis, cost-effectiveness, and risks; o Detailed project budget; o Detailed monitoring and evaluation plan;
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o Development of a sound replication strategy (Pathway to Impact); o Development of a financing plan, including working with the Senior Policy Advisor and Conservation
Finance Technical Specialist to secure co-financing commitments for all project outputs and activities. o Finalization of project results framework o Obtain relevant government commitments / letters of support for identified project countries / this may involve country visits.
Project Coordination o Project progress monitoring and reporting against agreed work-plans, deliverables and milestones. o Monitoring the progress of the project and ensure all targets and deadlines are met o Compilation of monthly and quarterly reports o Overall responsibility for project budgets and ensure donor reporting and funding requirements are met and adhered to. o Organisation of project-related meetings and workshops, preparation of materials and taking and production of minutes/meeting reports. o Sourcing, procurement, cataloguing and tracking of equipment and materials to support project. o Data storage and follow-up with Local Consultants to ensure data are supplied timeously and in coordination with consultants. o Liaison with project implementation unit finance/admin staff to ensure that project budget monitoring, personnel management and reporting of key performance indicators (KPIs) conforms to appropriate standards.
IWT Programme Development
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To develop and initiate a Wildlife Trade conservation strategy across ZSL regional programmes
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To take overall responsibility, for project development (initially with a 75% focus on the Rhino Impact Bond) and project management within the Programme
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To take overall responsibility for raising funds to support the Programme activities including the sourcing of potential donors and contributing to funding applications where relevant.
ZSL Internal
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To promote and encourage cross-ZSL information sharing, collaboration and synergy and to keep track of all
ZSL Wildlife Trade initiatives
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To coordinate internal communications for the Programme including monthly reports and compilation of monthly key performance indicators (KPIs)]
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To assist with Conservation Programmes activities outside the Programme where required
External
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To act as a ZSL representative for the Programme nationally and internationally, such as by participation in relevant conservation events, workshops and symposia and in collaboration with partners
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As appropriate, feed in ZSL expertise into relevant national and international meetings and conferences relating to Wildlife Trade.
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To represent ZSL in dealings with national and international media with a view to both promoting ZSL’s work and ensuring important conservation messages are communicated; and to work with the ZSL
Communications department to ensure that the science and conservation results generated by the
Programme are communicated to the general public and to policy makers
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To contribute material to ZSL communication channels such as WildAbout, the ZSL Annual Review, and the annual ZSL Conservation Report as appropriate
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To ensure the relevant sections on the ZSL website are updated on a regular basis
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To contribute to the work of relevant external groups, such as IUCN Specialist Groups, as appropriate
General
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Ensuring all activities and procedures follow ZSL policies, particularly with regard to health and safety, finance, human resources and communications, and dissemination of ZSL policies to project staff as necessary.
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Undertake such other duties as are commensurate with the grade of the post, as may be reasonably required at the initial place of work or at other locations.
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 Society.
The successful candidate will have significant experience and a proven trade record and comprehensive understanding, in wildlife trade matters, ideally with a focus on the illicit trade in rhino, elephant, tiger and pangolin. The individual will have good relevant contact network including the relevant IUCN specialist groups and appropriate organisations, including government and NGOs working in this area. IN particular the candidate must have:
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Experience of field conservation development, including significant experience in project management and financial reporting.
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A degree in an appropriate subject
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Excellent written and spoken English
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Strong organisational, interpersonal and presentation skills
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Proven fundraising and report-writing ability
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Good communication skills and experience with the media and public speaking
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Proven ability to work effectively with teams and senior managers
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Ensure that ZSL’s policy for equality of opportunity is adhered to and promoted in all aspects of the post holder’s work
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Ensure effective quality control and continuous improvement in all aspects of the work and responsibilities attached to this post
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Comply with and promote ZSL’s Health and Safety Policies and Procedures and undertake recommended
Health and Safety training as and when necessary.
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Be committed to professional self-development as necessary for the successful carrying out of the job
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Undertake such other duties as are commensurate with the grade of the post, as may be reasonably required at the initial place of work or at other relevant locations.
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