Job Description
Job Title: Global Palm Oil Project Manager
Section: Science to Government and Industry
Department: Business & Biodiversity
Directorate: Conservation Programmes
Job Evaluation Committee Reference Number:
Grade Allocated:
Date Allocated:
Key Purpose of the Job
ZSL is seeking an individual to oversee, develop and support the implementation of ZSL’s
Oil Palm strategy, acting as ZSL’s technical expert on palm oil with external stakeholders,
and advising ZSL on its current palm oil projects to include future direction. The individual
will have responsibility for managing the Palm Oil Transparency project based in London, but
will also: provide technical support to country programmes, especially oil palm and
biodiversity project managers; facilitate knowledge transfer between relevant ZSL projects;
undertake and support project development to address identified threats and needs, in
particular supporting the development and adoption of ZSL’s Monitoring, Reporting and
Verification system and guidance within the palm oil sector; and represent ZSL on relevant
industry panels, in particular, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Palm Oil Transparency Project
 Manage the Global Palm Oil Transparency project and its London-based team to
include responsibility for the delivery of the web-based Sustainable Palm Oil Platform
(SPOP) and the Sustainable Palm Oil Transparency Toolkit (SPOTT).
 Oversight of project budgets, key financial administration and grant reporting
requirements.
 Working with the Programme Manager to secure project co-financing. Requiring
technical input into project funding proposals.
 Coordination and chair of the Palm Oil Transparency project Technical Advisory Group
with the project team, promoting the project with key stakeholders, leading on strategy
with the team, and ensuring that the content of the project is technically robust.
 Working closely with the Indonesian project team, assist in the development,
publication, and industry adoption, of monitoring protocols and a reporting framework for
the oil palm Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system to be implemented at
a concession level. This includes specific responsibility for the system at the global level
beyond Indonesia, for example, in the context of other countries and for its adoption and
endorsement by industry groups such as the RSPO.
 Provide technical input into the development and publication of guidance and training
that emerges from the palm oil landscape project, and the production of an industry
training package and industry performance analysis from this project and related palm
oil projects.
ZSL representation at Palm Oil Industry bodies
 Represent ZSL within relevant national and international stakeholder groups including
industry, technical and certification and standard-setting bodies. In particular, this
includes representation of ZSL with the RSPO and in other fora (such as the Palm Oil
Innovation Group, Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil system, Cameroon Sustainable
Palm Oil Strategy, and High Carbon Stock working groups) identified as important to the
palm oil strategy. Take forward pieces of work as required by these groups and as
relevant to ZSL’s mission and Oil Palm Strategy.
General
 Work with relevant staff to coordinate the development and implementation of the ZSL
palm oil strategy in ZSL hub countries, providing technical support to existing and new
oil palm initiatives. This includes leading regular meetings with the Indonesia-based
team, the Cameroon-based team and other localities as necessary (for example,
Philippines and Thailand).



Promote and encourage cross-ZSL information sharing, collaboration and synergy,
facilitating knowledge transfer and communication between Biodiversity and Palm Oil
projects, the Business and Biodiversity Programme, other production landscape
specialists and other relevant ZSL projects and staff. This includes acting as main
liaison point between ZSL Conservation Programmes (overseas projects) and other ZSL
departments important to delivering the strategy, including ZSL Estates (Sustainability
within the zoos), ZSL Communications (Press and Interpretation departments) and ZSL
Institute of Zoology (ensuring that ZSL’s work is scientifically rigorous and supporting
ZSL scientific research and advise on sustainable palm oil).
Assist with the management of donor relations (where appropriate) and actively search
for, develop and secure new funding opportunities.
Develop and promote ZSL as a key player in the biodiversity and palm oil field, acting as
a ZSL representative nationally and internationally, such as by participation in relevant
conservation events, workshops and symposia and in collaborations with partners. This
includes the production of ZSL promotional and educational material, coordination of
ZSL attendance at the RSPO annual conferences, representing ZSL in dealings with
national and international media.
Reporting Structure
 The post holder will report directly to the Business and Biodiversity Programme
Manager within ZSL’s Conservation Programmes department in London, with a
dotted line to relevant Regional Programme Managers for country level
implementation.
 The post holder will work closely with relevant country programmes to provide
technical advice and support to initiatives related to oil palm and biodiversity. In
particular, working with the Production Landscape team members based in
Indonesia, to include frequent meetings remotely and, when necessary and/or
possible, face-to-face.
 The post holder will line manage the Global Palm Oil team located in London,
comprising at least three members of staff, to include the Project Coordinators for
SPOTT and SPOP.
Location
 The position will be based in London but will require extensive travel, with at least
two months spent in Indonesia over the course of a year, and travel as necessary to
other oil palm producing countries and conference locations.
Expectations of job holder






To ensure that the policy for equality of opportunity is adhered to and promoted in all
aspects of the post holder’s work.
To ensure effective quality control and continuous improvement in all aspects of the work
and responsibilities attached to this post.
Demonstrate professionalism towards sensitive and confidential information, to include
the signing of Codes of Conduct for meetings and agreements as set-out with
companies, donors and others.
To comply with and promote Health and Safety policies and procedures and to
undertake recommended Health and Safety training as and when necessary.
To be committed to professional self-development, through participation in in-service
training as necessary for the successful carrying out of the job.
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





Proven, extensive and relevant experience
A degree in an appropriate subject
Proven managerial experience and experience in a technical advisory position
Proven fundraising and report-writing ability
Experience collaborating and relationship building with partners and donors
Knowledge


A good understanding of biodiversity conservation issues relevant to the palm oil
industry
An in-depth knowledge of the RSPO is highly desirable
Skills & Abilities




Excellent written and spoken English. Bahasa Indonesia and French advantageous.
Proven ability to work effectively with teams and senior managers
Strong organisational, interpersonal and presentation skills
Good communication skills
Other Requirements


Able to travel internationally to attend conferences and field sites
May be required to work weekends
Job Description Analysis for Job Evaluation Process
A.
Applied Knowledge, Skills and Expertise











B.
Proven, extensive and relevant experience
A degree in an appropriate subject
Proven managerial experience and experience in a technical advisory position
Proven fundraising and report-writing ability
Experience collaborating and relationship building with partners and donors
A good understanding of biodiversity conservation issues relevant to the palm oil
industry
An in depth knowledge of the RSPO is highly desirable
Excellent written and spoken English. Bahasa Indonesia and French advantageous
Proven ability to work effectively with teams and senior managers
Strong organisational, interpersonal and presentation skills
Good communication skills
Responsibilities
i.
Human Resource Management
Line management of three staff: Project Coordinators Alexis Hatto and James Horne,
and Research Assistant (to be hired). It is probable that the team will expand in size
as and when required.
ii.
Physical Resource Management
Budgetary control and/or all forms of legal tender.
Post holder would be expected to manage budget and put together
agreements/MOUs with external companies and contractors.
Confidentiality.
Discretion would be required when dealing with sensitive data from other
stakeholders or assessing performance.
Compliance with data protection policies regarding line management.





C.
Building Relationships
i.
ii.


Interpersonal Skills
Post holder will require excellent verbal and written communication skills. They will
be expected to liaise closely with external stakeholders including company directors
and government officials.
Communication
The post holder will be required to participate in press interviews, give presentations
and contribute towards publications. Excellent communication skills are therefore
essential.
D.
Mental Demands
i.


ii.



iii.



E.
Judgment and Decision Making
The post holder will be required to make strategic decisions regarding the long term
plans for projects and ZSL’s Oil Palm Strategy.
Budgetary and grant management decisions will also need to be taken.
Original Thought and Problem Solving
Responding to external requests.
Providing pastoral care.
Concentration: participation in regular technical meetings and constructing reports. A
significant level of concentration will be required, sometimes for long periods of time.
Flexibility
The post holder will need to be flexible in their daily planning and have good
prioritisation skills.
The post holder will be expected to travel to attend meetings and progress projects.
There is a possibility that weekend working may be required during busy periods and
unusual working hours when travelling.
Working Conditions


The position is mostly office based with potential for field visits (tropical climate,
remote areas, and long-haul flights).
The post holder would be required to travel internationally to attend conferences and
progress projects.