Technical Lead

Project Description

Advancing Blue Carbon Policy in the Philippines: Supporting Released Public Lands Assessment and Seagrass Conservation Frameworks:  Technical Assistance Partnership with DENR and DA-BFAR for Evidence-Based Decision-Making, Capacity Building, and Sustainable Financing of Coastal Blue Carbon Ecosystems

The Philippines has a critical opportunity to advance blue carbon conservation by translating strong policy momentum into concrete action. This 18-month technical assistance partnership with DENR and DA‑BFAR to operationalize mangrove restoration policies and build foundational capacity for seagrass conservation, supporting climate commitments, coastal resilience, and sustainable livelihoods. It adopts a unified strategy that recognizes the need for immediate implementation tools for mangroves and long-term capacity building for seagrass ecosystems, aligning both with national development goals and international financing support.

The project delivers two integrated components: first, the development and pilot testing of a Joint Administrative Order (JAO) with standardized assessment tools to guide evidence‑based land use decisions across over 53,000 hectares of released public lands; and second, the establishment of technical, policy, and financing frameworks for seagrass conservation, including carbon assessment, ecosystem valuation, and a National Seagrass Strategy. Together, these efforts will strengthen institutional capacity, enable coordinated governance, and create pathways for sustainable blue carbon financing—positioning the Philippines as a leader in climate-resilient coastal management.

Purpose of the Role

Key Responsibilities

•  Lead the strategic development and continuous refinement of integrated assessment frameworks for mangrove and seagrass ecosystems.
•  Provide overall technical direction for the integration of biophysical, socio-economic, governance, and blue carbon methodologies. 
•  Ensure the highest standards of scientific rigor and quality assurance in data collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting across all project components.
•  Oversee and guide technical implementation in pilot sites, ensuring methodological consistency and alignment with project objectives.
•  Serve as the principal technical adviser on ecosystem assessment, restoration suitability, and carbon-related considerations.
•  Act as the primary technical focal point for engagement with technical working groups, scientific experts, and partner institutions.
•  Lead the review and validation of key technical outputs, including annexes, national strategies, and evidence for policy and financing mechanisms.
•  Drive the development of technical knowledge products, including guidelines, tools, manuals, and analytical frameworks.
•  Provide high-level technical leadership in capacity building, ensuring the transfer of knowledge to project staff, government counterparts, and stakeholders.
•  Mentor and strengthen the technical capacity of project teams and partners to ensure sustainability and long-term impact.
•  Facilitate strategic technical coordination with national agencies, academe, local governments, and other stakeholders to harmonize standards and approaches.
•  Contribute expert technical inputs to project planning and reporting, including validation of technical content and presentation of key findings to decision-makers.

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 non-government organization 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.

Project Staff Base

The successful candidate shall be based at ZSL Philippines field office in Ortigas, Manila with corresponding fieldwork and travel to target project sites and the opportunity to visit other ZSL Philippines project sites.

Vacant Position

1 Vacancy

What do we offer? 

At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits which include the following:

• 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 national and public holidays as per the Labor Laws of the Philippines
• Sick Leave- ZSL Philippines showcases a 6 week generous leave compensation for each staff that ensures enough recovery for those who are with illness. 
• 13th Month Pay
• Wellbeing – ZSL provides medical health insurance (HMO) for the staff  and 3 of his/her dependents (spouse & children).
• International accident insurance coverage.
• Paid Maternity leave and paternity leave aside.
• Monthly communications allowance
• Chances for travel to ZSL project sites across the country as well as to our international offices. 
• Staff Emergency Loan Fund benefit after 6 months.