Purpose of the role

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is a global conservation charity, guided by science and driven by a mission to restore wildlife both in the UK and around the world. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives, and at ZSL, every role contributes to that mission. We are all conservationists, united by our passion for protecting the natural world.

ZSL’s Sustainable Business and Finance (SBF) programme works to ensure that businesses and financial institutions play a positive role in safeguarding and enhancing biodiversity.

As a Sustainable Business Project Analyst, you will play a vital role in this mission by coordinating and delivering in-depth environmental, social, and governance (ESG) assessments. This includes evaluating corporate policies, operational disclosures, and sustainability reporting, with a particular focus on contributing to the impact and growth of the SPOTT (Sustainability Policy Transparency Toolkit) initiative.

This is a hybrid role combining office and home working, with regular travel to ZSL’s Regent’s Park site. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required, and there may be opportunities for international travel depending on project needs.

 

Key responsibilities:  

  • ESG Assessments & Coordination: Leading and supporting SPOTT assessments by evaluating ESG performance of palm oil and rubber companies using the SPOTT indicator framework, synthesising data via an online assessment platform (Probench). Coordinating and training third-party assessors, conducting quality assurance checks, and managing assessment data for website publication. Additional responsibilities include supporting research and analysis, monitoring media coverage, and identifying trends in assessment results.
  • Engagement & Outreach: Coordinate company consultations and provide feedback on SPOTT indicators and assessments, while supporting team presentations to target audiences with technical insights and key findings.
  • Internal Reporting & Support: Maintaining statistics on assessments and company feedback/consultation as part of wider donor reporting and project evaluation.
  • Communications & Press: Support communications by creating LinkedIn content, updating the SPOTT website, participating in press interviews, delivering presentations, and contributing to publications.

About You

  • Knowledge of CSR and corporate sustainability reporting best practices.
  • Understanding of sustainability issues in the palm oil and natural rubber sectors.
  • Excellent attention to detail and strong organisational skills.
  • Confident communicator with well-developed interpersonal and written skills in English.
  • Strong research abilities and data management experience.
  • Proficient in MS Office, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft Teams, and SharePoint.
  • Commitment to upholding ZSL’s values and promoting safeguarding, equality, and diversity.
  • Willingness to comply with and champion Health & Safety procedures.

Desirable Skills & Experience

  • Working proficiency in one or more relevant languages: Indonesian, Malay, Spanish, Portuguese, French or Mandarin.
  • Familiarity with databases such as Probench.
  • Understanding of sustainability certifications and auditing practices (e.g. RSPO, GPSNR).
  • Interest in the use of AI in ESG assessments. 
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.  

About Us

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 
NB: We reserve the right to close our advertisement early or extend the advertising date until a suitable candidate has been found.

What our team say...

Other jobs like this

Careers Site Advertising End Date
18 Jun 2025
All Locations
Head Office (Regents Park)
All Departments
UK conservation programmes
Advertising Salary
£36,750 - £43,050 per annum
Vacancy Type
Fixed Term
Hybrid
Global Conservation and Field Programmes
Contract length
1 year
Careers Site Advertising End Date
13 Jun 2025
All Locations
Head Office (Regents Park)
All Departments
UK conservation programmes
Advertising Salary
£31,500 per annum
Vacancy Type
Fixed Term
Hybrid
Global Conservation and Field Programmes
Contract length
1 year
Careers Site Advertising End Date
30 May 2025
All Locations
Whipsnade Zoo
All Departments
Commercial operations (including retail and admissions)
Advertising Salary
£12.60 per hour
Vacancy Type
Fixed Term
On-site
Conservation Zoos
Contract length
5 months
Careers Site Advertising End Date
01 Jun 2025
All Locations
London Zoo
All Departments
Animal operations and zookeeping
Advertising Salary
£27,111.38
Vacancy Type
Fixed Term
On-site
Conservation Zoos
Contract length
6 months
Careers Site Advertising End Date
08 Jun 2025
All Locations
Whipsnade Zoo
All Departments
Communications
Advertising Salary
£33,600 per annum
Vacancy Type
Permanent
On-site
Conservation Zoos
Careers Site Advertising End Date
29 May 2025
All Locations
London Zoo
All Departments
Grounds, horticulture, and logistics
Advertising Salary
£27,111.38 per annum
Vacancy Type
Permanent
On-site
Conservation Zoos