Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) Officer

Project Description

The Philippine Rise Ocean Conservation Area (PROCA) project presents an opportunity for ZSL-Philippines to partner with the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), Fishery Management Area 1 Management Board (FMA1 MB) and Blue Nature Alliance (BNA) to catalyse the creation of approximately 150,000 km² of new large scale MPA and measurably improve management of approximately 10,000 km² of existing coastal MPAs by June 2027, through the following key interventions:

1. EBSA to MPA Transition: Upgrade the Philippine Rise Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area (EBSA) to a LSMPA through a structured stakeholder engagement process, zoning, management planning, and legal designation by June 2027.
2. MPA Governance: Stand up an FMA1 Management Office by June 2027 and develop institutional and technical capacity in governing FMA1, including management of the existing coastal MPAs and the proposed LSMPA.
3. Monitoring and Surveillance: Develop monitoring, control, and surveillance capabilities for the FMA1 Management that will benefit existing coastal MPAs and new offshore LSMPA.
4. Sustainable Financing: Assess sustainable finance options for the long-term management of the offshore LSMPA by June 2025. A potential Phase 2 engagement will be developed upon legal designation of the Philippine Rise LSMPA focusing on advancing the implementation of the selected sustainable finance model.

Purpose of the role

In coordination with the DA-BFAR, FMA 1 MB, and ZSL Philippines/UK PROCA Project Team, the post holder will deliver the responsibilities and implement activities based on agreed upon strategies and approaches, following the approved workplan and budgets to ensure accomplishment of project goals, and objectives. His/her key responsibilities will focus mainly on the operational planning, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting the ESMS ensuring environmental and social safeguards are put in place to secure the welfare of target communities and affected sectors. S/he will ensure all programmatic compliances as mandated by national government agencies (Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)), among others are followed including related internal ZSL organizational policies and procedures.

Key responsibilities

• University degree in social science, social work, community development, development studies, environmental management, management, or related fields.
• At least 3 years of experience in environmental, social, and governance safeguard systems in government and corporate settings.
• Experience in environmental and social impact assessments and mitigation measures and qualitative and quantitative research
• Demonstrated track record in technical report writing and ability to communicate effectively to general audience
• Good handle of qualitative and quantitative research and methodologies (e.g., surveys, focus group discussion, key informant interviews, etc.) and other participatory approaches
• Knowledge of national and global Environment and Social Safeguards instruments, Environmental rules and regulations
• Good working knowledge and skills in MS Office packages (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Teams), and emailing
• Good in written and spoken English and Tagalog
• Demonstrated capacity in report-writing (training, activity, meeting, field documentation, news articles, etc.) and creating equivalent presentations
• Preferably:
  • Experience in projects funded by bilateral or multilateral donor organizations (e.g., UKAid, USAID, EU, etc.) an advantage 
  • Preferably, but not necessary, has experience and general knowledge on coastal/marine conservation, marine protected areas, fisheries/fisheries management, and community resource use, among others.
  • Experience on multi-stakeholder collaboration in marine conservation and fisheries management settings, desirable

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.  

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.  

In 2010, the ZSL-Philippines Country Office was established as a duly accredited NGO registered under the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a local branch of a foreign charitable institution registered in UK and holds its primary office in Iloilo City. Over the past 15 years ZSL-Philippines has gained ground in mangrove conservation ranging from in-situ rehabilitation projects, development of science-based planting protocols, reversion of abandoned, unproductive, and underutilized (AUU) fishponds, capacity building of local and national mangrove practitioners, and national policy advocacy on mangrove reversion and restoration of coastal greenbelts. Since 2013 ZSL-Philippines bolstered its work on seahorse conservation and locally managed marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Philippines especially in Danajon Bank, Bohol. MPA work expanded to other parts of the Visayas, and most recently in Siargao islands and Masinloc, Zambales. ZSL-Philippines implements freshwater conservation in northern Luzon particularly protecting the endangered Philippine eels from overexploitation. From 2018, ZSL-Philippines played an active role in the conservation of Palawan pangolins and its habitats, alongst side improvement of communities protecting them. The conservation of the endangered Mindoro tamaraw adds to its programme portfolio in 2023. To date, ZSL-Philippines has 36 staff based in its home and field offices and hubs: Iloilo, Puerto Princesa, Tuguegarao, Siargao, and Masinloc with an annual budget of £200,000 per annum and supported with robust financial, human resources, and health and safety management systems.

What do we offer? 

At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include: 

• Our vision and purpose - you’ll work alongside colleagues who are passionate about science-led conservation, knowing that you will help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct 
• Holidays – 15 days paid annual leave during each 12-month period worked, plus regular and local holidays as per proclamation in the Philippines. 
• Benefits- we cover all government mandated benefits from Philhealth, SSS, and HDMF as well as 13th month pay. Plus over 6 weeks of paid Sick Leave. 
  
• Wellbeing –we provide HMO coverage to all staffs and three dependents as well as full accident insurance coverage c/o UK Headquarters. 
• Communication and Meal Allowances subject to the needs of the project. 
• Maternity leave, solo-parent, and paternity leave available as per Labor Law in the Philippines.