ZSL Mongolia Projects Coordinator – volunteer position

A volunteer position is available, starting on 1st December 2011 for an initial period of 12 months, as ZSL Mongolia Projects Coordinator based in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

ZSL set up Steppe Forward, an NGO registered in Mongolia in partnership with the National University of Mongolia in 2003. Building conservation capacity, raising public awareness about Mongolia’s significant conservation challenges in light of the country’s rapid spurt in mining and widespread development, identifying, documenting and addressing emerging conservation challenges remains the main focus of our work in Mongolia.

Steppe Forward is aimed at empowering Mongolian people to create and manage conservation programmes by providing them with the tools and skills necessary to design and implement their own ecological studies, surveys and monitoring schemes through training workshops and running a widely recognised summer field course for international and Mongolian students in Hustai National Park.

We are looking for an experienced, innovative and adaptable individual to take on the role of Projects Coordinator for the next year. This will entail development and management of projects in Mongolia (www.zsl.org/mongolia) in partnership with ZSL’s Mongolia Country Coordinator. The post-holder will report to the South and Central Asia Programme Manager at ZSL.

Main responsibilities will include programme development and grant writing, project management and administration, organization of the international summer field course held at Hustai National Park in August every year, building and maintaining relationships with project collaborators, stakeholders and donors in Mongolia, coordination of Steppe Forward activities in conjunction with ZSL’s Mongolia Coordinator, and external representation and promotion of ZSL and its conservation work in Mongolia.

The post-holder should have experience in conservation project development and management and/or a higher degree in an appropriate subject such as conservation biology, environmental economics, conservation/development policy, anthropology or a related discipline, and a good understanding of biodiversity conservation issues in Asia.  Excellent written and spoken English and strong organisational, interpersonal and presentation skills are also essential.  A track record in grant writing is desirable.

The position will be based at the Steppe Forward office in Ulaanbaatar, but significant periods of time will be spent in the field as required to develop, oversee and monitor project activities. The position will be available for at least a year and will start on 1^st December 2011.

The post holder will be paid a living expense of $700 a month, will be provided accommodation in Ulaanbaatar and be covered by ZSL’s group travel insurance policy. The post holder will also be entitled to an economy class air ticket from the UK to Ulaanbaatar at the beginning of this agreement, and a similar ticket back to the UK at the end of the agreement and an additional single return journey from the field location to the UK for each full year of the agreement.

Applicants should send their CV and a covering letter detailing relevant experience and skills, by email to ZSL’s HR Department (hr@zsl.org) by Friday 4^th November 2011. Terms of reference for the position can be found on the ZSL website (www.zsl.org/info/jobs).

We regret that we will only be able to contact applicants who have been selected for interview.

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

Closing date: Friday, November 4^th, 2011