Conservation Biologist

Project Description

The Darwin Initiative Socially and Ecologically Coherent Freshwater Protection in the Northern Philippines Project (Karayan Ket Biag – River is Life) is a three-year natural resources management and freshwater biodiversity conservation project implemented by the Zoological Society of London Philippines. The project works with the Philippine government to achieve its goals of improving natural resource security and governance, sustainably managing natural resources, and reducing environmental crime, leading to greater ecosystem stability and inclusive green growth.

A component of the project is the Biological Survey of Pared River Catchment (PRC); Freshwater Sanctuary and Network Establishment, FS network monitoring, Sustainable threat mitigation and building capacity at the community level within the PRC to increase their stewardship of freshwater resources, in collaboration with LGUs and Regional GOs. This also works towards the project aims focused on poverty alleviation, socio-economic surveys will identify key beneficiaries and allow us to tailor elements of the capacity building program to meet their needs. Technical skills training will be delivered – enforcement and paralegal training for river wardens, climate smart agriculture and riparian restoration (including invasive species removal) for farmers; and protected area management and assessment training for those supporting the FS. Training in native seedling silviculture will be carried out in collaboration with DENR who has permanent presence in the region and by gaining access to identified markets we will ensure the program is economically viable and has legacy beyond the project.

Overview of the role:  

The successful applicant will be based in ZSL-Philippines field office in Tuguegarao City with corresponding fieldwork and travel to project sites. The post-holder will work directly with ZSL - Project Manager and Senior Conservation Biologist, who will provide guidance and instructions on daily tasks, data and information to be collected and reports to be generated.

Key responsibilities:  

•    Assists in the planning and implementation of biological fieldworks, following standardized methodologies as agreed with the ZSL Philippines Project Manager and Senior Conservation Biologist;
•    Conduct primary data collection of ecological habitats, associated fauna, assessment and monitoring of FSs;
•       Assist LGUs, communities in establishing freshwater sanctuaries and FS network along Pared River catchment with the Senior Biologist;
•       Support management bodies and lobbying management plans to LGUs
•     Provides inputs to the training of relevant partner staff, enumerators and community members in data collection, entry, management, analysis, and reporting.
•       Liaises with communities, POs, LGUs, government agencies, academe, private and NGO project partners;
•        Establish and maintain good working relationships with partners – NGAs, Academe, POs and LGUs;
•    Assists in the preparations and conduct of trainings, workshops and learning sessions for partners, river wardens and stakeholders;
•     Supports in the inventory, maintenance and safekeeping of bio Team assets and other field equipment; and

• A university degree holder in biology, environmental science, conservation, freshwater science, fisheries, or natural resource management;
• Experience and strong capacity in freshwater assessment and monitoring surveys, data management and analysis, and technical report write-up and communication;
• Good understanding of community-based conservation initiatives;
• Prior experience in community-based freshwater conservation projects;
• Computer literate with good skills in operating Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and GIS programs;
• With strong communication skills both community and local government level; and
• With good command of English both oral and written.

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. 
• Maternity leave and paternity leave available as per Labor Law in the Philippines.