Senior Technical Specialist (Protected and Conserved Areas)

ZSL is on a mission to restore wildlife and create a world where nature thrives. Protected and conserved areas – like national parks, nature reserves, and Indigenous and community conserved areas – are at the heart of that vision. We’re seeking a Senior Technical Specialist (Protected and Conserved Areas) to support our global work strengthening how these areas are monitored and managed, ensuring they deliver lasting benefits for biodiversity, ecosystems, and people.

Based within ZSL’s Monitoring & Technology Programme, this strategic and hands-on role will work with partners at site and national levels to design and implement practical monitoring systems, and to assess and improve the effectiveness of protected and conserved area management. You’ll provide training and technical support on key tools like SMART and the METT, lead the development of learning materials and best practice guidance, and support partners to improve conservation outcomes over time through the application of adaptive management frameworks. You’ll also collaborate with global networks, including the SMART Partnership and IUCN WCPA, to evaluate, integrate, and enhance area-based conservation efforts worldwide.

The position can be based at ZSL’s Head Office in Regent’s Park, London, or in any of our registered offices in Cameroon, Kenya, Nepal, the Philippines, or Thailand. Candidates must have the existing right to work in the country where they wish to be based. Salary will be aligned with ZSL’s local pay scales for that location, with the London-based salary range being £36,750 – £43,050 per annum, depending on experience.

This role offers the opportunity for international travel, up to approximately 45 days per year, depending on project requirements.

Key responsibilities:  

• Significant experience managing conservation projects, particularly in or for protected and conserved areas.
• Proven experience designing and implementing monitoring systems for conservation projects.
• Experience delivering technical training and capacity development in conservation or related fields, and authoring technical guidance materials, training guides, best practice resources, and/or peer-reviewed publications.
• Strong understanding of conservation area monitoring platforms (e.g., SMART, EarthRanger).
• Strong understanding of methods for assessing the management effectiveness of protected and conserved areas (e.g., METT, RAPPAM, IMET)
• Strong understanding of adaptive management frameworks relevant to protected and conserved areas (e.g., Conservation Standards.)
• Experience evaluating the effectiveness of conservation interventions.

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate's right to work in the UK.

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.  

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  
• Pension scheme - we offer a generous pension scheme with up to 12% contributory pension
• Flexible working – talk to us about your flexible working requirements and we will do everything we can to make sure you work in a way that suits you  
• Holidays – 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays  
• Wellbeing – access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme  
• Life assurance – eligible employees will be enrolled in ZSL’s life assurance scheme from their first day 
• Complimentary tickets – annual allocation of Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo tickets, with a 30% discount in online and retail shops  
• Cycle2Work - our cycle to work scheme enables you to lease a bicycle  
• Season ticket loan - we offer an interest free loan for eligibly London-based employees to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work 
• Family friendly policies – we offer enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption packages