ZSL Sustainable Palm Oil Communications Intern

About us:

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.

Opportunity Overview:

We are offering an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and competent individual to support ZSL’s Business and Biodiversity Programme, working closely with the London-based sustainable palm oil team. This will involve supporting the team in the development and promotion of the Sustainable Palm Oil Platform (www.sustainablepalmoil.org), its Transparency Toolkit (SPOTT) and ZSL’s wider work on palm oil. The position will be based at the ZSL London office.

Candidates should have an undergraduate level degree in a conservation related subject or in communications with a strong interest and understanding of conservation issues, as well as some understanding of business and biodiversity conservation issues and familiarity with the palm oil industry. Candidates should have some experience using and developing websites and social media and be self-motivated with excellent communication skills and an eye for detail.

The volunteering opportunity is for six months, starting in August 2015. The role is ideally for three to four days per week and is based within ZSL’s Conservation Programmes department in Regent’s Park, London. Candidates should ideally live within easy daily reach of ZSL London Zoo. Applicants must be able to show that they have permission to work in the UK.

Please note that this is a voluntary position. However, ZSL will reimburse travel costs from within the Greater London area (up to equivalent of a weekly zone 1-6 travel card) and up to £5 per volunteering day for lunch (receipts required).

 In this role, the volunteer will benefit from:

• Gaining knowledge on the principles of conservation
• Developing a strong understanding of business and biodiversity conservation issues, in particular related to sustainable palm oil and environmental risk and transparency of the palm oil industry
• Gaining communications skills and experience in developing websites and promoting conservation via different outlets
• Experience in outreach and communications to a variety of different audiences of the sustainable palm oil project
• Experience of how a conservation NGO operates
• Interaction with staff in CP and ZSL’s wider programmes

Please note that this is a voluntary position and there should be no expectation that any paid position will arise out of this internship. 

To Apply and Closing Date:

Please complete the Volunteer Intern Application form and return to Alexis.Hatto@zsl.org by 16th July 2015. Interviews will be held between 22nd and 24th July 2015. We regret 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.