Regional Field Programme Manager (Mainland Asia)

Permanent – 40 Hours

We are Chester Zoo, and for nearly 90 years, we have been a leading conservation and education charity, and an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction.

We’re also a team of passionate, talented, enthusiastic and expert people, doing everything we can to prevent extinction, from caring for animals to discovering new conservation ideas, and giving our visitors an inspirational day out.

We work hard because we love animals, we care about nature, we love Chester Zoo and, despite all the recent challenges thrown at us, we still want to be the best zoo in the world! If you think you can help us to achieve that, then we’d love to hear from you.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Regional Field Programme Manager, Mainland Asia, to join our team. Current activities in this region focus on mitigating conflict between people and wildlife (elephant and tigers) in India, working in partnership with the Wildlife Trust of India. Additionally the post holder will lead on developing and co-ordinating new projects in the Mainland Asia region.

The Role

Project Planning and Development

Develop new conservation projects within the Mainland Asia region that will contribute to the delivery of Chester Zoo’s Conservation Masterplan targets. The post holder will work closely with the Chester Zoo Animal and Plant, Science, Conservation Education & Engagement and other teams to ensure that appropriate opportunities are identified and developed to reach these targets.

Project Management and Delivery

Take a lead role within multi-disciplinary teams to design and deliver impactful projects with clear conservation outcomes that contribute to the targets of the Conservation Masterplan. This will includes budget management, co-ordinating project teams and tracking implementation, evaluation of impact, ensuring ethical, risk and other standards are met, and applying adaptive management approaches.

Stakeholder Management

Develop, manage and facilitate a Mainland Asia regional network of partners to enable to effective delivery of conservation impact. This will be across a wide range of potential stakeholders from in-country government departments and funders to local NGOs and community groups.

Line Management & Leadership

Where applicable, lead and manage field project staff and provide line management. The post has no current direct reports, and project delivery is usually through staff employed by project partners, however project personnel may be engaged directly through Chester Zoo for elements of project delivery. The post holder will also be expected to facilitate as necessary capacity building of individuals and/or organisations to deliver conservation impact.

Communication and Dissemination

Facilitate knowledge and media transfer from field to zoo and vice versa, including supporting Chester Zoo Communications staff to produce internal and external media; professionally representing Chester Zoo in appropriate conferences and other fora and providing material to support interpretation, education and public engagement activities.

Science

Work with the Science team to facilitate effective research that provides the evidence base to inform project development and masterplan delivery. This will includes providing advisory/supervisory training and mentoring for researchers; ensuring projects apply a robust evidence based methodology and facilitating and supporting dissemination of research outputs

Logistics

Support logistics and organisation of Chester Zoo staff and other project personnel travelling to field project sites; produce and update travel support documentation such as risk assessment and regional guides; and provide region specific expertise and knowledge as required.

Grants and funding

Make applications for grants and awards where appropriate to support, enhance and increase the delivery and development of field projects, with support from the Chester Zoo fundraising team.

The successful candidate will have:

• MSc or equivalent experience in a conservation related subject
• Knowledge of the ex-situ and in-situ conservation role of zoos
• In depth and wide ranging knowledge of biodiversity conservation and good understanding of conservation theory
• Field skills and experience (5+ years) of working on and/or managing projects in the relevant region
• Part of a well-established and effective conservation network in the relevant region
• Experience of independent travelling in tropical and developing countries
• Excellent written and oral communications skills, and public speaking experience
• Region appropriate language and cultural awareness
• Strong proof reading and editing skills
• An excellent level of computer literacy
• Experience in publishing and presenting scientific material desirable
• Strong organisational skills
• Experience of producing successful grant applications
• Excellent inter-personal and facilitation skills, with experience of management of diverse stakeholders
• Strong project management experience and skills
• Proven experience of budget and grant management with associated reporting

Although based in the UK at Chester Zoo, this position will require frequent overseas travel.

The salary is £33,373.43 per annum based on 40 hours per week.  In addition, we offer a range of amazing benefits.

To apply for this position, please provide your current CV and a covering letter stating why you believe you should be considered for the Regional Field Programme Manager, Mainland Asia role to http://www.chesterzoo.org/footer/careers.

Closing date for applications is 24th October 2021.