SPOTT Palm Oil Manager (Full-Time / 1 Year Fixed-Term Contract)

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL), a charity founded in 1826, is a world-renowned centre of excellence for conservation science and applied conservation. ZSL’s mission is to promote and achieve the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats. This is realised by carrying out field conservation and research in over 50 countries across the globe and through education and awareness-raising at our two zoos, ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, inspiring people to take conservation action.

ZSL recognises the significant threat posed by irresponsible and unsustainable business practice to global biodiversity and the landscapes in which we work. The Business and Biodiversity programme works to address these threats and to deliver a ZSL mission target to ensure best practice is business-as-usual in at least 1 million km2 of priority production landscape. SPOTT is ZSL’s flagship initiative to deliver this, addressing the lack of corporate transparency and accountability that hinders progress towards sustainability. Our vision for SPOTT is that companies report transparently on the implementation of best practice and can be held accountable to this.

SPOTT currently monitors 50 oil palm producers representing half of oil palm landbank against a framework of best practice, and provides resources and guidance for the supply chain to monitor and manage risk. SPOTT has over 2000 subscribers, more than 300,000 website views and 6000 unique visitors per month. SPOTT is an established and proven model with a focus on engagement between financiers and producers.

ZSL’s Business and Biodiversity programme is looking for an experienced individual to join the SPOTT team. The SPOTT Palm Oil Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day management of SPOTT Palm Oil, including the research and assessment team, the assessment and engagement of SPOTT-featured companies, the development of the assessment and monitoring framework and function of the website, and responsibility for content and changes made to the website.

Working with colleagues, the role will ensure SPOTT Palm Oil supports sustainable palm oil production on-the-ground and at a landscape level. The role will provide ZSL’s Business and Biodiversity Programme with technical knowledge on environmental best practice for oil palm production and will support engagement with other relevant stakeholders to the palm oil sector as required. The position is to start as soon as possible and will be based in the ZSL London offices.

Please see job description below for further details on role requirements and expectations.

• Extensive experience in project management and delivery – ideally content platforms similar to SPOTT – to include associated budget management, staff management and stakeholder relations.
• Proven ability to work effectively with teams, with strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• A degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject or equivalent level of work experience in a relevant field.
• Prior experience working in a field relevant to business and biodiversity and/or sustainable commodities, ideally palm oil.

Please see job description for further details on person specification.

For a full job description please click here.

Applicants will need to upload their CV and covering letter (detailing relevant experience and skills, stating why they want the position and including details of availability) and can do this by clicking the "Apply for this job online" button. If you have any queries regarding these positions or when applying through the system please contact Human Resources at hr@zsl.org.

Closing Date: Midnight Wednesday 6th July 2016.

The Zoological Society of London is a charity registered in England and Wales: no. 208728.