director of conservation and policy · 2018-10-18 · zsl │ director of conservation and policy...

APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTOR OF CONSERVATION AND POLICY

CANDIDATE APPOINTMENT BRIEF OCTOBER 2018

ZSL │ Director of Conservation and Policy

CONTENTS 1. Welcome

2. About us

3. The role

4. Person specification

5. Terms of appointment

6. How to apply


Dear Candidate,

Thank you for your interest in the role of Director of Conservation and Policy at the Zoological Society of

London. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead transformational change for wildlife conservation.

ZSL’s vision is for a world where wildlife thrives; that is what we are working for and we would like you to

consider joining us in this endeavour.

Every day, we work to change the fortunes of wildlife, through our ground-breaking science, our field

conservation around the world and by engaging millions of people through our iconic zoos.

As Director of Conservation and Policy, you will be in the vanguard of global conservation. You will

be inspirational and visionary in the way you represent ZSL, shaping global debates on conservation

issues. You will be highly skilled at building external relationships, with the potential to attract the funding

we need to achieve our vision.

Working collaboratively with ZSL Executive Team colleagues, you will lead conservation across the Society as

part of ensuring ZSL’s new strategy, ZSL 200, becomes a reality. You will lead and inspire a global team to

deliver high-impact science-led conservation projects in line with ZSL’s three strategic priorities: wildlife

health, most threatened species conservation and human-wildlife coexistence. You will also bring

exceptional people management skills to the table.

We are serious at ZSL about making a difference for wildlife. If you are too, I hope you will consider applying

for this role.

Best wishes,

Dominic Jermey

Director General

INTRODUCTION


ABOUT US We’re ZSL (Zoological Society of London), an international

conservation charity, and our vision is a world where wildlife

thrives. We’re working every day to achieve this, through our

science, our field conservation around the world and

engaging millions of people through our two Zoos, ZSL

London and ZSL Whipsnade Zoos.

Zoological Society of London’s (ZSL’s) Vision and Strategy

In 2026, ZSL will be marking 200 years of discovery, pioneering work and inspiring and delighting visitors

through science, conservation and our two Zoos. To get ready for the next century we have developed a new

strategy called ZSL 200 to tackle the threats and challenges facing wild animals now and help people achieve

positive change.

Our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct and our vision is a

world where wildlife thrives. We will achieve our vision by addressing three conservation challenges, based

on our scientific research into the biggest conservation challenges facing wildlife and are areas where all

aspects of our work can contribute to achieving results:

Wildlife and People – fostering sustainable relationships between people and wildlife

Wildlife Health – improving the health of people and the environment

Wildlife back from the Brink – bringing the most threatened species back from the brink of

extinction

The Director of Conservation and Policy will lead ZSL in the Wildlife back from the Brink priority area,

inspiring ZSL’s conservation teams and partners, drawing on personal and professional networks to have real

conservation impact and leveraging relationships with institutions and donors to deliver on ZSL’s

conservation objectives.


CONSERVATION PROGRAMMES ZSL runs conservation programmes in the UK and in over 50 countries worldwide; the conservation of wild

animals and their natural habitats is fundamental to our mission. We work with local communities to

conserve their environment and promote sustainability.

For over 190 years ZSL has played an essential role in convening experts to address challenging science and

conservation issues, including hosting high-profile public meetings, symposia and national and international

workshops. Throughout the world we work with governments, civil society and the private sector to

conserve species and habitats. We contribute to building conservation capacity and skills in the UK and

abroad through educational programmes, workshops, Masters and PhD courses and awards to support

young conservationists.

ZSL is not a lobby organization –instead we advise decision makers and are often called upon by business

and government. We are scientific advisors to Globe International and produce reports for the UN and

scientific conventions.

We also work with major natural resource industries assisting in biodiversity monitoring and advising on best

practice and protocols for certification including the Forest Stewardship Council and the Marine Stewardship

Council.

INSTITUTE OF ZOOLOGY The Institute of Zoology (IoZ) is a world-renowned research centre working at the cutting edge of

conservation biology, and specialising in scientific issues relevant to preserving animal species and their

habitats. The IoZ is a member of the Athena SWAN Charter.


As the scientific research division of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), we undertake fundamental and

applied research in five thematic areas:

• Behavioural and Population Ecology

• Biodiversity and Macroecology

• Evolution and Molecular Ecology

• People, Wildlife and Ecosystems

• Wildlife Epidemiology.

We also provide educational training through MSc and PhD programmes.

We are funded by Research England, the same body that supports universities. Additional funding for

specific projects comes from the UK research councils (e.g. NERC, BBSRC etc.) and various other academic,

corporate, governmental and charitable organizations (both within the UK and overseas).

From August 2011, the Institute has been affiliated with University College London (UCL), specifically with

the UCL Research Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment. Previous affiliations have been with

the University of Cambridge (2000-2011) and the University of London (1988-2000).

ZSL LONDON ZOO ZSL London Zoo was founded in 1826 by Thomas Stamford Raffles. It originally opened exclusively to Fellows

of the Society in 1828 but was later opened to the public in 1847. It now houses a collection of 698 species

of animals, with 20,166 individuals, making it one of the largest collections in the UK.

ZSL WHIPSNADE ZOO ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is the UK’s largest zoo and is home to 3,873 animals. The first animals arrived at the park

in 1928 after the ZSL secretary at the time, Sir Peter Chalmers Mitchell, was inspired by a visit to the Bronx

Zoological Park. It opened on 23 May 1931 and houses some of ZSL’s larger animals such as elephants and

rhinos.


THE ROLE

Conservation is a core priority in the ZSL 200 Strategy where we aim to protect the most endangered species by bringing wildlife back from brink. The Director will lead ZSL in this area, inspiring ZSL’s conservation teams and partners, drawing on personal and professional networks to have real conservation impact and leveraging relationships with institutions and donors to deliver on ZSL’s conservation objectives.

Purpose of Role

The main purpose of this role is to deliver the Conservation and Policy components of ZSL 200 strategy

across the whole society and the key strategic priorities in collaboration with other leaders across the

organisation.

This is a key leadership position within ZSL and leads c65 staff in the UK within the Conservation and Policy

(C&P) Directorate and 200 overseas to deliver high-impact conservation-science projects around the world.

The Director of Conservation and Policy is responsible for leading this work through a strategic focus on key

landscapes and evolutionarily distinct and globally endangered species, as well as iconic species threatened

by illegal wildlife trade and other pressures. C&P geographic priorities are Asia, Africa, and targeted marine


environments including the UK Overseas Territories and the Coral Triangle, and it delivers a range of cross-

cutting global programmes.

Reporting to the Director General, the Director of Conservation and Policy makes a substantial contribution

to the achievement of ZSL’s mission to conserve animals and their habitats. The Director:

Leads on the development, impact and implementation of ZSL’s global conservation strategy;

Holds direct responsibility for field conservation around the world through the provision of strategic leadership and management;

In collaboration with other directors, oversees conservation activities and policy engagement across the Society;

Represents ZSL as a global conservation leader at home and abroad, building relationships with a broad range of stakeholders;

Continues to build profile and support for ZSL’s conservation work through strategic collaborations and fundraising activities with a variety of donors.

Main duties and responsibilities

Strategy and programme implementation

Leads the Society’s strategic priority of bringing wildlife back from the brink

Working with other ZSL directors, develop, review and implement a coherent, technically sound, effectively resourced and financially sustainable science-led ZSL conservation strategy with clear performance indicators and metrics, in support of ZSL’s mission.

Leading a strong conservation team enabling and empowering the team to develop.

Lead on strategic conservation issues at Council meetings, Directors’ meetings and relevant internal committees, including a regular review of conservation priorities for ZSL and operational issues such as safe international programme delivery. This includes representing ZSL at key international fora.

Collaborate with the Director of Science and other directors to maximise synergies between the Society’s science, engagement and conservation work.

In coordination with the Director General and other directors, lead on creation and oversight of a new ZSL conservation policy unit for external policy engagement in support of ZSL institutional goals and policy coordination between departments.

Strategically oversee all C&P budgets and other resources, working closely with the Head of Overseas Operations to ensure they are used effectively and responsibly in support of our mission targets and to ensure the Society’s three strategic priorities are delivered effectively.

Director of Conservation &

Policy

Head of AsiaHead of Marine

& Freshwater

Senior Programme

Manager, Africa

Head of Overseas Operations

Head of Policy Head of Global

PA


Represent C&P and ZSL in various fora as required, including at key external meetings, conferences, workshops, and in the media.

Visible outward leader and advocate of outstanding conservation delivered through ZSL and its partnerships.

Leadership and management

Live the values of ZSL. These are to be inspiring, innovative, impactful, collaborative and ethical.

Contribute to the overall leadership of the Society as a member of the Directors Group, ensuring it is delivering our mission effectively and sustainably.

Provide inspirational leadership and effective management to C&P staff – both direct reports, and 250 colleagues across the division – through high-level representation, robust strategic and technical input, clear communications, and ongoing support, challenge and feedback.

Ensure effective leadership and oversight of ZSL overseas operations, including through regularly visiting, reviewing and supporting ZSL country offices in Asia and Africa.

Accountability for the financial performance of the department and ensuring their application of financial policies

Oversee development and operations of new ZSL conservation policy unit based in C&P.

Full accountability for safeguarding, health and safety, employment policies and promotion of ZSL culture and values.

Undertake other activities as specified by the Director General.


High-level relationships, policy and communications

Bring, develop and maintain high-level strategic relationships and partnerships across the NGO sector, multilateral donors, government, scientific institutions, academia, the media and the private sector in support of C&P’s objectives and ZSL’s mission. This will include conducting regular partner/donor visits abroad.

Be a public advocate for conservation and for ZSL’s impact in this area.

Grow and maintain major donor relationships (collaborating with ZSL’s Development Team) to continue to increase the financial contribution to C&P and ZSL more widely.

Maintain positive internal and external relationships through diplomacy and influencing skills– communicating C&P’s aims and achievements an engaging manner that lays the foundations for future partnerships with a range of stakeholders.

Shape ZSL’s external policy agenda, ensuring that C&P’s mission is effectively communicated and that ZSL is seen as a global authority in influencing and engage policy-makers, donors, and the wider science and conservation community.

Responsibility for resources

People

Leadership of an international team - support of country managers.


Support C&P’s Senior Management Team and ZSL country representatives to achieve high conservation impact.

Overall responsibility for a division of over 250 people (65 UK around 200 overseas), with direct line management of 6 Heads of department, plus one support staff. Managerial responsibilities include conducting performance appraisals, setting objectives and providing support for both professional and personal development.

Other

Financial resources: the post holder has full accountability for ensuring that the C&P annual budget of approximately £15m (2018), the majority of which is comprised of grants from institutional donors, is appropriately spent and monitored, and that the C&P department is managed within its allocated ZSL core cost budget.

Confidentiality: the post holder is expected to treat employee information, funding agreements, and corporate and government information in strict confidence.

PERSON SPECIFICATION The successful candidate will have:

Strategic understanding of global conservation issues and a passion for conservation.

Inspirational leadership skills, along with a collaborative approach to colleagues.

Experience leading international conservation projects.


Demonstrable track-record of working successfully at a strategic level within a major comparable organisation, with considerable experience in leadership, strategy development, and high-level planning and representation with a wide variety of conservation stakeholders.

Excellent management skills, able to motivate, inspire and support ZSL’s shared goals, and cultural awareness and sensitivity of the needs of colleagues, international teams and partners, including through change and growth.

Knowledge of relevant conservation organisations and donor bodies, with a proven ability to attract funding for projects from a range of multilateral donors, trusts, foundations and individuals.

Experience of large scale budget development and management, and wider operational leadership, in an international organisation.

Proven ability to work collaboratively with senior colleagues and teams across various disciplines and locations, able to influence, engage and constructively challenge at the strategic level.

Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English, with the proven ability to effectively engage a range of colleagues and partners in C&P’s work. Additional languages are an advantage.

Ability to work within the financial frameworks of the organisation in terms of developing sustainable operations.

Advanced degree or equivalent qualification in a field relevant to science/conservation is preferred.

A commitment to ZSL’s mission, vision and values.


TERMS OF APPOINTMENT This is a permanent, full-time executive appointment and will attract a commensurate salary

DC pension scheme

Life Cover: 3 times annual salary

Annual Leave: 30 days

Medical insurance: BUPA membership for post holder (members of family can be added at own cost).

Subsidised staff restaurant, allocation of free zoo tickets; shop discount

This role is office based in the UK. However, the post holder is required to regularly travel to overseas field sites and country offices, donor visits, conferences and workshops

As a member of ZSL’s Board of Directors, attending directors’ meetings and playing a full part in the management and direction of ZSL, including weekend on-call and other duties as required

HOW TO APPLY Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to Zoological Society of London on this

appointment.

Candidates should apply for this role through our website at Candidates should apply for this role through our

website at www.saxbam.com/jobs using code UZSLC.

Click on the ‘apply’ button and follow the instructions to upload a CV and covering letter. Covering letters

should be no longer than 2 pages and addressed to Dominic Jermey.

The closing date for applications is noon on Monday 12th November 2018

Candidates should be available between 22nd and 30th November for a first round interview with Saxton

Bampfylde in person or via video link, if abroad.

Further interviews for shortlisted candidates will take place in the week of 3rd and 10th December.


Saxton Bampfylde

LONDON

9 Savoy Street

London WC2E 7EG

EDINBURGH

46 Melville Street

Edinburgh EH3 7HF

saxbam.com

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director of conservation and policy · 2018-10-18 · zsl │ director of conservation and policy...

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