Summary
Date Posted: Wednesday, February 02, 2022 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Key Purpose of the Job
Provide operational leadership to ZSL’s Kenya Programme in line with its existing projects and strategic aims. The post holder will develop deep understanding of the operational support requirements of the programme and develop and collaborate closely with the Operations team and key cross-society functions at ZSL’s London HQ to design and embed tools, processes and principles that build capacity and effectiveness in operations and project delivery.
The postholder will be a key representative in Kenya and will need to build and maintain positive and strategic working relations with partners.
Gross Salary: £35,000

Responsibility for Resources
People
Direct line management of five employees reporting directly to the post-holder. Responsibility for a further seven staff, volunteers/interns and additional contractors, as required. Where appropriate, this will include conducting performance appraisals, setting objectives and providing support for both professional and personal development. Recruitment of new staff is likely to be necessary.
Financial resources
Oversee programme budgets, accounts and the keeping of accurate financial records, checking and monitoring of spend, and submission of monthly reconciliations to ZSL HQ, financial reports to programme staff and preparation of donor reports.
Confidentiality
The post-holder has access to information about employees in the relevant country, about funding agreement budgets, terms and conditions, confidential wildlife security information and occasionally confidential corporate information and is expected to treat all such information in strict confidence.
Main duties and key responsibilities
• Provide technical oversight and support for the programme’s activities particularly on area-based conservation and rhino management.
• Support programme fundraising activities through development of funding applications and budgets in collaboration with ZSL’s Fundraising department;
• Assist with identification of funding sources to support programme activities.
• Support production of monthly technical and financial reports to project donors as required.
• Work with ZSL’s Field leadership team to provide operational support and contribute to successful implementation of workplan.
• Implement effective operating procedures, including work planning and budget planning and management to facilitate project delivery, grant management and administration.
• Liaise with donors as required.
• Manage local operations staff, planning of work schedules, organisation, and oversight of travel logistics.
• Manage the office, including oversight of staff responsible for all registrations and associated paperwork for the operation of ZSL in Kenya, including insurances, taxes etc.
• Ensure ZSL’s assets – vehicles, equipment, materials – are managed, maintained and inventoried.
• Comply with and promote ZSL’s Health and Safety Policies and Procedures, ensuring staff adherence.
• Ensure ZSL Kenya medical insurance is kept up-to-date and liaise with personnel and the insurers on any claims.
• Ensure all risk-assessments and emergency response plans are kept up-to-date and are implemented.
Building relationships
• The post holder is expected to nurture and maintain good working relationships with staff in the country programme, and to develop good relationships with other staff in ZSL, using tact, sensitivity, and diplomacy as appropriate.
• In liaison with other appropriate staff at ZSL HQ and within the country programme, the post holder develops and maintains effective working relationships with international and national donors.
• The post holder will be one of ZSL’s key representative in Kenya and must therefore ensure a professional representation of the Society and its work.
• Ensure that working relations with local partners are positive, strategic, addressing issues that arise in a timely manner.
Mental Demands
The post holder is responsible for making key operational decisions. The post-holder will often have to use their initiative and experience to make judgement calls and solve challenging problems to ensure the smooth running of the programme. Self-motivation, the ability to work on one’s own initiative and to solve problems are critical.
Working Conditions
This post is based in Nairobi, Kenya. However, there is a requirement to travel to field sites, particularly in the Tsavo Conservation Area. The postholder must have existing legal right to work in Kenya.

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 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
All criteria in this person specification are essential unless otherwise stated as desirable.

Qualifications & Experience
• 3 – 5 years or more working in a relevant sector or role;
• Degree level qualification in Conservation, Environment, Project Management, or other relevant discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience in strategic operational management in complex international programming organisations, preferably in the non-profit sector
• Prior experience in staff management and development.
• Extensive experience in the design, planning, implementation and management of conservation projects.
• Understanding and strong experience of working for or with NGOs is desirable.
• Experience of managing the administration, delivery, and reporting of large grants, with strict compliance conditions;
• Proven experience in developing and managing budgets.
• Proven track record of writing successful fundraising proposals and securing funds from trusts, foundations and/or institutions.
• Proven experience of engaging and managing relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including international, national, governmental and non-governmental organisations and donors.
• Experience of technical and financial report writing.
• Extensive experience in Kenya area-based conservation or species management, or experience relevant to the region.
• Demonstrable track-record in working with a wide range of functional teams – with a good understanding of diverse areas such as Finance, HR, IT, Health & Safety, Risk and Procurement able to apply knowledge to complex and changing programming contexts.
Knowledge
• A working knowledge of the project cycle and project management tools.
• An understanding of current international and Africa specific biodiversity conservation issues.
• A good knowledge of and contacts in funding bodies and conservation organisations relevant to the work in the country.
• A basic knowledge of Kiswahili desirable.
• Good knowledge of HR, Finance and Health and Safety policies, procedures and best practice, with experience of applying them in international organisations.

Skills & Abilities
• Excellent presentation, reporting and communication skills, able to distil complex information, and offer strategic insight and robust challenge to colleagues from across ZSL.
• Someone focused on problem solving and willing to take initiative.
• Highly developed planning, coordination, and project management skills, able to organise a substantial workload comprised of diverse tasks and responsibilities.
• Excellent team management skills, able to motivate a diverse team based in different locations.
Other Requirements
• The post holder will work normal office hours when in Nairobi but there will sometimes be a requirement to work out of office hours or over weekends to meet deadlines, and to travel over weekends. Conservation demands flexibility by its very nature. This role will not be a 9-5 job, but will consist of occasional days where long hours are required. The post-holder will be expected to manage their time in a mature manner to ensure that the job is achieved within a reasonable time frame.


Education Requirement: No Requirements

Job Experience: No Requirements

Work Hours: 8

Job application procedure
Interested and qualified? Go to Zoological Society of London on careers-zsl.icims.com to apply

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