Project Manager

Our vision and mission

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is an international conservation charity, driven by science, working to restore wildlife in the UK and around the world. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and every role, every person in every corner of ZSL has one thing in common – we are all conservationists, and passionate about restoring wildlife.

Contract: 3 years

Key Responsibilities

• Lead on the project delivery including, all project managing workplans, risk register, data analysis, reports, presentations and status meetings.

• Adaptively manage the project using Conservation Standards

• Manage budget actuals versus budget monthly and monitoring for project activities in accordance with ZSL procedures.

• Ensure the project is compliant with all donor requirements and leads all reports to the donor.

• Line management of one team member – the Wilddog project officer.

• Plan and facilitate meetings, trainings and workshops from conception through delivery.

• Ensure compliance to standards, both internal and external, for all projects and conservation activities

• Ensures strong communication with all stakeholders in the project both internally and externally throughout the project.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with partners to ensure activities have the greatest impact and are successful.

• Manage partner reporting to ensure any funds being sent to partners is reported upon regularly and in line with financial policies.

• Develop capacity assessment and socioeconomic surveys for diverse stakeholders (NGOs, communities, KWS), analyse against baseline for impact assessment and integrate results into adaptive project management.

• Deliver and manage community engagement workshops and surveys with support from Community Technical Manager.

• Lead systematic review (including template preparation, synthesis, and analysis) of data on carnivores, wild meat consumption and snaring activities for monitoring in the project are and compile into technical and non-technical reports for wide dissemination to diverse stakeholders Conduct species and biodiversity analyses and reports from camera trap data.

The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned from time to time that are in line with the level of the role.

Values and behaviours for people management

• Collaborative: creates an engaging environment where people feel comfortable asking for help or support

• Ethical: creates a culture which ensures everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect

• Impactful: delivers results on time and to the agreed standards

• Inclusive: makes decisions that promote transparency and inclusion

• Innovative: is forward thinking and able to see the broader picture when planning and organising work

• Inspiring: hasself-awareness and seeks feedback to better understand own style, approach and impact on team/staff motivation

Person Specification

Essential

• A bachelor’s degree in social sciences, environment/wildlife or natural resource management, development studies or related fields.

• At least 4 years of professional experience in project management, particularly in managing budgets and work planning, delivery of project activities, and reporting.

• Experience of managing a government grant funded project and reporting to a donor

• Experience of adaptive management and implementing strong project control processes

• Extensive experience in the development and implementation of conservation activities in Kenya with government and communities.

• Extensive experience working with a wide range of stakeholders including government partners.

• Demonstrated experience in convening, designing, and facilitating meetings, trainings and workshops from conception through delivery.

Desirable

• Experience of working on community livelihood and behaviour change projects.

• Leadership Skills:- Ability to lead and motivate a team toward the successful completion of a project.

• Communication Skills:- Effectively communicate with stakeholders, team members, and other project participants.

• Risk Management:- Identify and mitigate potential risks that could impact the project's success.

Knowledge and skills

• Proven ability to work effectively in partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, and private sector stakeholders in Kenya

• Strong coordination and communication skills; with demonstrated public speaking experience.

• Professional experience in building and supporting stakeholder engagement, ideally with local communities, behaviour change, or law enforcement focus.

• Knowledge of Kenya laws and strategies relevant to environmental restrictions, policies etc.

• Excellent command of both spoken and written Swahili and English.

• Advanced skills in using MS office packages, specifically Excel and PowerPoint or equivalent software packages will be acceptable.

• Familiarity with managing competing priorities and delegate effectively

Additional requirements

• A valid driving license is required for this role.

• An ability and willingness to travel and be willing to work outside of normal office hours as necessary (weekends and evenings).

• An ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team.

• An ability to work remotely but communicate effectively.

• This post is a blended role for office and Field working and so will require periods of outside working with direct exposure to the weather and animals.

• Strong commitment to creating a culture that lives ZSL values and commitment to safeguarding, equality and diversity (collaborative, inspiring, inclusive, innovative, impactful and ethical)

• To comply with and promote Health and Safety; Safeguarding and all other policies and procedures