Zoological Society of London (ZSL)
Job Description
Job Title:
Sustainable Palm Oil Platform Project Co-ordinator
Department:
Conservation Programmes
Responsible to:
Elizabeth Clarke
Responsible for:
N/A
Approved by:
Katherine Secoy
Job Holder:
New Post
Head of Department or Director:
Jonathan Baillie
Date:
01/09/2014 – 31/02/2015
Job Description reference number:
N/A
Grade:
6.0
ZSL
The Zoological Society of London (ZSL), a charity founded in 1826, is a world-renowned centre of excellence
for conservation science and applied conservation. ZSL’s mission is to promote and achieve the worldwide
conservation of animals and their habitats. This is realised by carrying out field conservation and research in
over 50 countries across the globe and through education and awareness-raising at our two zoos, ZSL
London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, inspiring people to take conservation action.
Project background
In November 2012, at the annual meeting of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), ZSL launched
the Sustainable Palm oil Platform (SPP) as an online best practice resource centre for stakeholders in the
palm oil supply chain. Content includes over 120 links and 110 publications relevant to sustainable palm oil
and the website is regarded as one of the most comprehensive information sources available on the subject
matter. With minimal marketing, shortly after the launch the website received over 14,000 visits and 36,000
page views from visitors across the USA, Europe and South East Asia.
Following a period of consultation a strategy was drafted identifying areas of improvement for the SPP, to
include improved content and function for different supply chain stakeholders such as investors, additional
user-groups such as zoos and academics, increased and updated content, translation in to additional
languages, and stronger marketing and promotion of the website. A key outcome of this process was the
creation of the Transparency Toolkit (TT) project.
Since October 2013, the TT project has consulted with various stakeholders, including the UN Principles for
Responsible Investment (UN PRI), Heads of Responsible Investment for several major investors and banks,
the World Resources Institute (WRI), Bloomberg, the Natural Capital Protocol, Global Canopy Programme,
Carbon Disclosure Project, Trucost, WWF, Friends of the Earth, and the RSPO and its Financial Institutions
Taskforce. This has resulted in the development of a prototype online toolkit. Embedded in the SPP, the TT
will provide guidance for the Environmental and Social Governance (ESG) process undertaken by investors,
financers and manufacturers, by clarifying the framework of expectations for grower best practice and the
performance of the world’s biggest oil palm growers against this framework. The initial focus for the first
launch of this Toolkit in November 2014 will be asset managers as a user-group, featuring the 25 biggest oil
palm companies publically listed by market capitalisation (including non- oil palm revenue), and a
performance score that focuses on grower disclosure of information necessary to assess best practice. It
also includes a live newsfeed from Thomson Reuters and incorporates a Google mapping tool showing oil
palm companies’ concession site boundaries and other variables relevant to the indicators such as mills, fire
and forest loss. The Toolkit and associated concept was publically presented at RSPO Europe in June 2014,
in a session co-presented with WRI and the RSPO Secretariat, as part of an ongoing collaboration to
promote transparency for RSPO members.
ZSL now needs to prepare the content of the SPP and the embedded TT in time for a November 2014
launch. It is important that the overall content of the website is renewed and improved, with updated links,
new sources of information, design alterations, and content to support and direct traffic to the TT to include
specific alterations to the investors and manufacturers pages. This ‘second launch’ of the SPP and the
newly created TT needs to achieve a high impact on the target audience and there needs to be a clear
strategy in place for the SPP for 2015 and the aftermath of the launch.
Position required
This position will work closely with the Business and Biodiversity Programme Manager, the Global Palm Oil
Technical Advisor and the Transparency Toolkit Project Coordinator, to ensure that the SPP – and the
embedded TT - is ready for launch in November 2014, and that this launch is a success with a clear strategy
for 2015. The role is critical to delivering the expectations of the Packard Foundation grant. The position is
based in the London office.
Main responsibilities
1.
Logistics
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Establishment and careful management of a system for SPP content review and regular updates with
stakeholders as required.
Coordination with relevant staff to ensure that the SPP and TT are in synergy and ready for launch.
Organisation of project-related meetings and workshops, preparation of materials and taking and
production of minutes/meeting reports.
Sourcing, procurement, cataloguing and tracking of equipment and materials to support the
development and publicising of the SPP.
Coordination of the launch and outreach strategy and the review of its impact with the Press team, the
TT Project Coordinator and others as necessary.
Support travel and logistical arrangements for ZSL staff engaged on projects within the programme,
following ZSL procedures for approval of travel and insurance cover. This is particularly important for
the launch and presentation of the Toolkit and meetings with partners.
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2.
Data management
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A large amount of data on the current SPP needs to be reviewed to ensure that existing links are
functional and up-to date.
A process needs to be established for the research of new content, its storage in a suitable location on
ZSL servers, and its upload to – and maintenance on – the SPP.
Modifications to the SPP design, function and maintenance procedure may be required, which will
require careful coordination with colleagues and a good understanding of websites.
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3.
Research and monitoring
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A large amount of data will need to be uploaded to the website within a specific timeframe. Data
collection and presentation will require good research, time management and writing skills.
The content of the SPP needs to be presented in a logical and well-written format targeted to different
user groups and in keeping with the style of the website.
Assessments undertaken for the TT will need a Quality Assurance check, as will the balance and
suitability of other content on the SPP.
Target audience groups, data contributors and potential partners will need to be identified to support the
SPP content, 2014 launch and the SPP strategy for 2015 and onwards. Good interpersonal skills will
be needed for any interviews, email and telephone exchanges, meetings and workshops.
The incumbent will be responsible for monitoring of the progress of the project and providing timely
alerts when targets are not being met.
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4.
Project coordination
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The Coordinator will be required to assist with the writing of any proposals and bringing together
sections written by other parties, ensuring that the language is uniform and of a high standard.
Develop a strategy with colleagues for the future direction of the SPP and contribute to the strategy for
the wider palm oil programme.
Assist with compilation of monthly and annual reports, and support to programme managers in
compilation of technical reports to donors and any special reports to satisfy ZSL or donor requirements.
Liaison with Conservation Programmes Administrator to ensure that project budget monitoring,
personnel management and reporting of key performance indicators (KPIs) conforms to internal ZSL
standards.
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5.
Communications
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A particularly important component of this role is coordinating the successful launch of the SPP to the
different target audiences.
Preparation and distribution of promotional and educational material for ZSL publications, newsletters,
brochures, posters, project information sheets and provision of regular updates for relevant web pages
within the ZSL website.
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Liaison with ZSL staff and with representatives of partner organisation(s) and data contributors, which
may include site visits, meetings and workshops.
Regular updating of the Programme Manager and others in ZSL regarding progress of the project and
other relevant issues, as appropriate, and in careful coordination with the TT Project Coordinator.
Updating of project information in the ZSL Projects Database.
Representation of the projects and programme across the Society through regular contact across ZSL
divisions involved in project-related initiatives, including the zoos, IoZ, Finance, Development,
Communications and Marketing
Representation of the projects and programme nationally and internationally, by participation in relevant
conservation events, workshops and symposia and in collaborations with partners.
Representation of ZSL in dealings with national and international media when required.
6.
Financial administration
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Compilation and monitoring of project expenditures and budgets and ensuring reporting and justification
of expenditure against ZSL procedures and criteria set by donors.
Liaison with the Conservation Programmes administrator and ZSL Finance Department to resolve any
anomalies found in the finance system and ensure all funds and costs are recorded in the appropriate
budgets.
Preparation and follow-up of the system invoices, international bank transfer requests, and other
financial papers in relation to all projects managed under the Programme.
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7.
General
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Support with project fundraising activities by sourcing potential donors and contributing to funding
applications.
Ensuring all activities and procedures follow ZSL policies, particularly with regard to health and safety,
finance, human resources and communications.
Ensure effective quality control and continuous improvement in all aspects of the work and
responsibilities attached to this post.
Be committed to professional self-development as necessary for the successful carrying out of the job.
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. These will be determined by the Business and
Biodiversity Programme Manager in coordination with the Global Palm Oil Technical Advisor.
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Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience Required
1. At least 2 years’ relevant experience.
2. A good understanding of biodiversity conservation issues and the issues relating to palm oil industry.
3. Whilst the website should be easy to maintain and there is a ZSL in-house technical team,
experience of designing and promoting websites and web-based content is desirable.
4. A degree in an appropriate subject.
5. Excellent written and spoken English.
6. Strong organisational, interpersonal and presentation skills.
7. Proven fundraising and report-writing ability.
8. Good communication skills and experience with social media.
9. Proven ability to work effectively with teams and senior managers.
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Annex
Programme aims
Irresponsible business practice continues to drive global deforestation and biodiversity loss at an alarming
rate. The palm oil sector has been identified as major contributor to this loss, responsible for 8% of global
deforestation between 1990-2008 with an upwards trajectory due to soaring global demand for crop
expansion,
ZSL has a Mission Target to ensure best practice for natural resource use in at least 1 million km 2 of priority
production landscape, and the Business and Biodiversity Programme supports this target by addressing the
impact of industry on species and habitats through best practice and transparency.
ZSL has engaged with the palm oil sector since 2001, working with governments, companies and standardsetting bodies to develop best practices. ZSL is now one of the leading environmental NGOs working to
provide scientifically-grounded and practical tools and advice to address the effects of unsustainable
business practice on the tropical belt, with established programmes in Indonesia and Cameroon. ZSL’s palm
oil strategy is built around four main interventions that reinforce and support the delivery of one another.
These are:
 Establishing national enabling environments that minimise negative impacts on biodiversity
 Strengthening biodiversity safeguards within international and national certification and compliance
standards
 Developing and implementing tools and best practice to protect biodiversity within oil palm
landscapes
 Improving stakeholder awareness and supply chain transparency to drive demand for best practice
Standards such as the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) set out a framework for best practice,
but in reality it is clear that best practises are not being implemented, resulting in significant risk for all
stakeholders (growers, buyers, investors and financers etc.) and unabated damage to the planet’s natural
capital and, by association, local communities and wildlife. ZSL has been developing site-level systems to
monitor and manage biodiversity in plantations, with an ultimate aim for oil palm growers to measure and
report their environmental impact, in the spirit of transparency and supply chain traceability.
In 2012, ZSL also launched the Sustainable Palm oil Platform (SPP) as a one-stop-shop resource for
awareness-raising and advice on environmental best practice for different palm oil supply chain stakeholders
(from grower to consumer). Following a period of consultation, it was identified that certain sections of the
SPP could be significantly strengthened, including the guidance for investors and financers.
The Transparency Toolkit consolidates and strengthens ZSL’s work on best practice, enhancing the SPP
and providing a clear link between the SPP and ZSL’s field-based work on best practice. The SPP is ZSL’s
key public-facing project working to improve stakeholder awareness and supply chain transparency.
In addition to supporting the Business and Biodiversity Programme, this position will also support ZSL’s
tropical commodity work in the Asia Programme and the North and West Africa Programme. All of these
programmes seek to achieve the goals of the ZSL conservation strategy.