ZSL is Hiring a Sustainable Revenues Manager

Overview of the role

ZSL’s Western Congo Basin Programme

ZSL’s Western Congo Basin programme aims to tackle biodiversity loss across a transboundary area spanning Gabon, Cameroon and Republic of Congo over the next 7 years. The programme will deliver against three main objectives: 1) to develop economic opportunities through investment in nature in support of climate adaptation and resilience and poverty reduction; 2) to slow, halt or reverse biodiversity loss; and 3) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and safeguard natural carbon sinks.

Purpose of the role

The Sustainable Revenue Manager will coordinate and deliver ZSL’s programme of work to deliver activities that contribute to sustainable financing of conservation within the West Congo Basin landscape. This role will work intensively with a number of ‘pioneer projects’ to provide technical and financial support, cultivating a pipeline of nature-based solutions initiatives, to develop sustainable revenue streams and attract investment. ZSL will focus on three economic sectors: (i) forest-positive commodities, (ii) natural carbon projects, and (iii) philanthropy, including philanthropic tourism. You may be working on sustainable cocoa supply chains, IPLC-led carbon projects, ecotourism and other sustainable financing approaches. This role will work closely with the Sustainable Revenues Lead and Sustainable Revenues Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Coordinator, as well as the wider BLF team.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure effective and efficient management of ZSL activities to address sustainable financing of conservation activities, including work planning, delivery of outputs, budgeting and technical and financial reporting.
• Deliver project activities on behalf of ZSL across the Western Congo Basin, including;
  • Undertake policy, regulation and land tenure research and analysis
  • Develop quantitative models for projects to estimate project/business outputs, including carbon credits, biodiversity credits and commodity production volumes and revenues
  • Prepare project feasibility studies and design documents
  • Develop business models and project plans
• Maintain positive working relationships with project partners, ensure project deliverables are met and share capacity and learning on sustainable financing of nature-based solutions projects in the Western Congo Basin.
• Feed in and adaptively manage ZSL’s strategy for sustainably financing conservation activities in the Western Congo Basin under the leadership of the Sustainable Revenues Lead.
• Work closely with the MEL coordinators to ensure data collection and analysis to help ZSL assess effectiveness towards our impact goals and aid adaptive project management.
• Ensure that all activities and personal conduct is delivered to the highest ethical standards, in line with ZSL policies and procedures.

The ideal candidate will:

• A relevant academic qualification to Masters degree level (level 7) or equivalent professional experience, in the field of business, finance, ecology, biodiversity, forestry, agriculture, law, etc.
• Experience developing quantitative models of project outputs related to carbon, forest and agricultural commodities and/or biodiversity, based on field data.
• Experience with developing long-term project budgets, preferably within the field of biodiversity conservation and restoration
• Experience in business model design
• Experience undertaking enabling environment research including the identification and application of legislation, policy and regulation relevant to land use and management.
• Good network of relationships with private-sector and NGOs.
• Track record of project implementation in the Congo Basin, specifically Cameroon, Gabon and/or Republic of Congo.
• Demonstrated experience in project and budget management.
• Experience in implementing thorough safeguarding and health and safety practises and protection principles across a diverse number of stakeholders to ensure our duty of care is adhered to.
• Experience of applying donor policies and procedures including procurement, management, monitoring and risk management.
• Fluent English and French (spoken and written)
• An understanding of the range of sustainable finance mechanisms related to forest and agricultural landscapes.
• A basic understanding of the principles of carbon projects and the role of carbon standards and methodologies e.g. Verra
• Ability to present research findings in a coherent manner in presentations and reports
• An understanding of the components of financial statements
• An understanding of what makes projects ‘investment ready’
• Able to demonstrate high accuracy and attention to detail
• Familiarity with R or other statistical analysis software
• Advanced skills in using MS office packages, specifically Excel and PowerPoint (or equivalent software packages will be acceptable).
• Familiarity with managing competing priorities
• Strong organisational, interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and problem-solve
• Highly collaborative with an ability to foster lasting partnerships

We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination. ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group.

About ZSL

We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction.

To Apply

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 require any reasonable adjustments, please contact recruitment@zsl.org

Closing date for applications: Midnight (23:59) WAT on Sunday 10th December 2023

Provisional interview date: Circa w/c 17th December 2023

We reserve the right to close the advert early or extend it beyond the closing date until a suitable candidate is found so we would advise to submit your application as soon as possible.