Country Representative, Born Free Foundation (Sri Lanka)

Following completion of a successful tenure by the incumbent, The Born Free Foundation, the internationally renowned animal welfare and wildlife conservation organisation, is seeking to recruit a Country Representative to manage its operations and projects in Sri Lanka.

Having supported projects in Sri Lanka since 2002, the work of The Born Free Foundation expanded in 2008 when it recruited a Country Representative and established an office in country in response to a recognised need.  The Born Free Foundation’s overarching objective in Sri Lanka is to support the conservation and welfare of wild animals, with a particular focus on elephants in regard to the promotion of humane solutions to conflict with people, improvements to captive welfare, and the reduction in trade. To this end, operations incorporate policy work and field projects which reflect The Born Free Foundation’s compassionate conservation agenda, placing animal welfare at the heart of conservation interventions.

The successful applicant will work in close consultation with the UK Head Office to further expand The Born Free Foundation’s work in Sri Lanka, in full adherence to the organisation’s philosophy and mission.

Core Responsibilities

• To manage and develop The Born Free Foundation’s portfolio of projects in Sri Lanka, following a budgeted work plan, communicating regularly with relevant stakeholders and the UK Head Office
• To regularly visit field projects to evaluate progress, audit progress and liaise with relevant staff and stakeholders
• To represent The Born Free Foundation's interests, positions and philosophy in meetings, negotiations, workshops and other professional situations in Sri Lanka and, if required, elsewhere
• To complete the process for registration of The Born Free Foundation as an NGO in Sri Lanka
• To represent The Born Free Foundation in dialogue at government level
• To establish and maintain constructive communications with relevant NGOs and other institutions in Sri Lanka
• To be the line manager of all Born Free Foundation staff in Sri Lanka
• To co-ordinate campaigns as required (e.g. campaigns opposing wild elephant exports to zoos), under instruction from Head Office
• To compile a full schedule of project information for inclusion in The Born Free Foundation’s literature (website, social media, supporter magazine and updates)
• To engage with Sri Lanka’s NGO Secretariat and to produce reports as required
• To react effectively to developments and projects, often to a short deadline
• To work closely with the Conservation Team’s Programmes Officer for Asia and the Captivity / Animal Welfare Team based in the UK Head Offfice

The successful candidate is likely to have the following:

-  An undergraduate degree in a relevant field

-  Experience of working for a wildlife conservation organisation, preferably managing projects

-  Have an understanding of and commitment to animal welfare

-  Be familiar with the ecology and behaviour of elephants

-  Be available to travel to meetings and field visits at short notice

-  Be fluent in English (both written and spoken) and be able to communicate effectively with a wide range ofstakeholders (including pubic speaking)

-  Have good analytical skills

-  Be proficient in using MS Office software

-  Be able to write technical reports and popular articles to a high standard 

-  Be able to work as part of a team

-  Be highly organised, self-motivated and have a high level of attention to detail

-  Be able to work under pressure to tight deadlines and have a flexible approach to work, with a willingness to workweekends and / or around priorities as they arise

The position would ideally start in January 2015 with a one year probationary period, followed by employment as a permanent full time member of Born Free staff.  Salary and benefits are negotiable according to relevant skills and experience.  The successful candidate must be fully eligible to work in Sri Lanka and ideally, will already be resident there.

To apply send your CV with a covering letter illustrating your applicability for the role to recruitment@bornfree.org.uk 

The closing date for applications is 23^rd November 2014