Zoological Society of London (ZSL)

Job Description Job Title: United for Wildlife Online Learning Project Manager Department: Conservation Programmes Responsible to: Nisha Owen Responsible for: Delivering the ZSL / United for Wildlife MOOC under the auspices of the Royal Foundation Approved by: Job Holder: New Post Head of Department or Director: Jonathan Baillie Date: 12/06/2014 Job Description reference number: Grade: Salary negotiable depending on experience

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL), a charity founded in 1826, is a world-renowned centre of excellence for conservation science and applied conservation. ZSL’s mission is to promote and achieve the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats. This is realised by carrying out field conservation and research in over 50 countries across the globe and through education and awareness-raising at our two zoos, ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, inspiring people to take conservation action.

The Royal Foundation

The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry is the Patrons’ primary charitable vehicle, and hopes to become a leading philanthropic investor, effectively using its time and resources to create lasting change in targeted areas and geographies, based on need and on the interests of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. The Foundation will seek to invest in, or partner with, organisations with proven impact, using its profile and leverage to create a multiplier effect in resources, outcomes and knowledge.

United for Wildlife

United for Wildlife was created by the Royal Foundation to bring together the world’s leading wildlife charities under a common purpose; to create a global movement for change. The United for Wildlife collaboration comprises seven international conservation organisations, and is committed to focusing increased attention on the most pressing conservation issues of our time. With the support of The Royal Foundation, increased attention can be focused on acute conservation problems, from the recent and rapid escalation of the illegal wildlife trade to the challenges of demand reduction.

Project background

United for Wildlife recognises that there is a clear need for online learning material for students in developing countries where logistical considerations restrict attendance overseas at face-to-face learning institutions. We envisage a hierarchy of educational, vocational and funding initiatives to identify, train, and support the next generation of conservation leaders, accessible to anyone with an interest in conservation and in need of further professional development. Training course creation will be based on an introduction to and overview of existing training materials. Since much of the content is already developed, the majority of efforts will be directed to the setup of the course on an online learning platform, in modifying and presenting content for an online audience, and in acquiring students. Courses will meet high academic and practitioner standards and be subject to internal quality assurance, and if required, external accreditation. Project aims

To develop a free, online, open-access short course (MOOC) covering an Introduction to Conservation Leadership, available to all, with no entry requirements. Aiming to inspire and connect the audience with conservation, this course will: • be freely available online • include materials provided by world-class experts with components targeted at different levels (split by age / pre-existing knowledge) • be learner-directed, requiring independent study to follow materials, complete readings and assessments, and interact with the community of fellow learners through online forums • be inspirational, including video clips from conservation leaders and celebrities.

Successful implementation of the Introduction to Conservation Leadership MOOC will enable hundreds (potentially thousands) of students to benefit from an overview and introduction to key topics in conservation project management. The course will include feedback mechanisms from students to inform the details of the future development of the Online Learning project.

Position

The United for Wildlife Online Learning Technical Specialist will develop and execute a comprehensive strategy for the development of a MOOC as a key component of the Royal Foundation’s United for Wildlife initiative.

The role will carry principal accountability for the successful delivery of the MOOC platform and schedule of content. The position will be responsible for project team and resources, P&L reporting, and ownership of the strategies for technology, partners, and content publishing.

Based in London, the post-holder will sit within ZSL’s Conservation Programmes department and work closely with the Discovery and Learning department, as well as with external partner Floream, a growing group of online learning ventures which owns Home Learning College, and which has developed an end-to- end suite of the integrated capabilities required to run an online learning business at scale.

Main responsibilities

Online Learning 1. Defining the audience and their needs and mapping MOOC proposition to meet those needs and the aims of United for Wildlife. 2. Effectively share and elucidate the role of MOOC across the organization and partner community. 3. Serving as the Royal Foundation resource for MOOC. 4. Researching and incorporating evolving MOOC trends and new internet & mobile technologies. 5. Scope of product and content deliverable. 6. Pulling together the overall programme plan for the initiative.

Stakeholder relationships 7. Stakeholder and partner community management. 8. Assistance with identification of government, academic, private and NGO partners and development of working relationships, including input to Memoranda of Understanding or contracts to formalise and clarify details of partnership. 9. Liaison with other academic, conservation and development organisations to assess current data availability and gaps and ensure that the work of the project complements and builds on existing initiatives.

Project management 10.Setting of and adherence to project objectives and annual work plan as agreed with the appropriate line managers via ZSL’s Performance and Development Review process. 11.Liaison with line manager and project personnel to ensure that agreed work is completed on schedule, to budget and in compliance with ZSL health and safety procedures and UK laws and regulations. 12.Management of own budget and accounts and keeping of financial records, with submission of a financial report every month to the relevant line managers or administrator. 13.Submission of monthly technical reports to the line managers and contribution to technical and financial reports to project donors as required. 14. Adhere to the ZSL field health and safety policy and insure it is followed in all managed projects.

Dissemination 15.Contribution to regular updates for partners/donors/stakeholders, regular blogs and updates for the ZSL website and occasional longer pieces for the ZSL magazine. 16.Promotion of relevant areas of the project and ZSL’s work in the project area through media interviews and articles as required.

Representation and promotion of ZSL and United for Wildlife 17.Representation of ZSL and United for Wildlife at, and participation in, relevant national, regional and international conservation policy/planning events (as funds allow). 18.Participation in the development of ZSL’s conservation strategy and policies, particularly with reference to the postholder’s own area of operation.

Project development 19.Defining, building and delivering concepts for new products and services 20.Assistance with development of funding proposals for the project as required/advantageous. 21.Development of new aspects of the project that are in line with ZSL’s long-term strategic aims, and assistance in gaining national/regional/international recognition and funding for such proposed work. 22.Assistance with identification of conservation needs and funding sources for other potential projects which fall within ZSL’s area of expertise and interest.

General 23.Support with project fundraising activities by sourcing potential donors and contributing to funding applicat ions. 24.Ensuring all activities and procedures follow ZSL policies, particularly with regard to health and safety, fin ance, human resources and communications, and dissemination of ZSL policies to project staff as necess ary. 25.Undertake such other duties as are commensurate with the grade of the post, as may be reasonably requ ired at the initial place of work or at other locations. NB: This job description is designed to outline a range of main duties that may be encountered. It is not designed to be an exhaustive list of tasks and can be varied in consultation with the post holder in order to reflect changes in the job or the Society.

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience Required 1. Bachelor’s Degree in a business or technology discipline 2. Extensive experience with, and passion for, educational programmes, with proven experience in delivering learning programmes in either a formal or informal environment. 3. Significant experience, including in management, desired 4. Experience working with an online or mobile business 5. Experience with some of the following: new product / idea development, branding, marketing, consumer insights, facilitation, strategic thinking and planning 6. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the confidence to communicate openly and with sensitivity to a wide range of levels and audiences 7. Strong relationship management skills 8. Proven ability to operate in complex matrix environments 9. Superior ability to communicate and manage expectations among key stakeholders 10. Proven ability to consistently deliver programmes on time, within budget 11. Demonstrated ability to manage programmes and lead them through to implementation 12. Ability to work under pressure and on own initiative 13. Good understanding of business and charity technology 14. An interest in conservation is desirable ------