ZSL Sustainable Palm Oil Transparency 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 60 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 assisting the Transparency Toolkit Project Coordinator with the maintenance and development of the Sustainable Palm Oil Transparency Toolkit (SPOTT), in addition to other tasks relevant to the palm oil transparency project.

Candidates should have an undergraduate level degree in a conservation related subject, as well as some understanding of business and biodiversity conservation issues and familiarity with the palm oil industry. Candidates should be self-motivated and have outstanding attention to detail and strong research skills.

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 of the principles of conservation
• Gaining 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
• Research skills in assessments of oil palm growers and the palm oil industry
• Experience in stakeholder engagement, through interactions with key user groups 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 james.horne@zsl.org  by 16th July 2015. Interviews will be held from 22nd to 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.