At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead international conservation programmes and enhance management effectiveness in protected areas.
- Company: Join ZSL, a leading conservation charity dedicated to wildlife protection.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a supportive workplace culture.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global conservation efforts while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing conservation projects and delivering training is essential.
The predicted salary is between 47912 - 50574 € per year.
The Zoological Society of London and the SMART-EarthRanger Conservation Alliance (SERCA) are seeking a Programme Manager to lead delivery of a major international programme focused on strengthening the management effectiveness of protected and conserved areas across Africa and beyond, through improved monitoring, reporting, and adaptive management using SERCA tools. The Programme Manager will play a central role in improving how conservation area teams collect, analyse, report, and use monitoring data to inform decision-making, translating SERCA’s tools (SMART and EarthRanger) into improved conservation outcomes in protected and conserved areas.
This will be achieved through strengthening field capacity, embedding adaptive management practices, and aligning monitoring systems with management effectiveness and reporting requirements. The role is responsible for overall programme leadership and coordinated delivery across multiple organisations, partners, and geographies, including oversight of training, technical guidance, and monitoring and reporting frameworks, and support for their effective implementation in real-world conservation contexts.
The position can be based at ZSL’s Head Office in Regent’s Park, London, or at ZSL’s registered offices in Kenya or Cameroon. Candidates must have the existing right to work in the country where they wish to be based. Salary will align with ZSL’s local pay scales for that location, with the London-based salary range being £47,912 – £50,574 per annum, depending on experience. This role includes international travel, expected to be up to approximately 45 days per year depending on programme requirements.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead delivery and coordination of a major multi-partner conservation programme across multiple countries and organisations.
- Manage programme planning, budgets, reporting, partnerships, and coordination of staff, consultants, and partner contributions.
- Oversee development and delivery of training programmes, learning systems, and technical guidance focused on effective use of SERCA tools for conservation monitoring, reporting, and decision-making.
- Lead development of monitoring frameworks, adaptive management approaches, and management effectiveness and reporting workflows, and implementation standards that support improved management of protected and conserved areas.
- Support implementing sites and partners to strengthen monitoring workflows, data quality, reporting, and use of SERCA data in management processes.
- Contribute to the ongoing development of SERCA tools and approaches, and development of future programme phases and funding proposals.
About You
- Significant experience managing complex, multi-partner conservation projects, particularly in protected and conserved areas.
- Proven experience designing and delivering training programmes in conservation or related fields and producing technical guidance or training materials.
- Significant experience supporting use of conservation area monitoring platforms, including SMART and/or EarthRanger.
- Experience applying protected and conserved area management effectiveness assessment approaches (e.g. METT, IMET, RAPPAM).
- Experience developing conservation monitoring frameworks, indicators, or evaluation systems, and supporting the application of monitoring data to inform management decision-making (adaptive management).
Interviews will be held week commencing Monday 8th June 2026. This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including confirmation of your right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
ZSL recognises that conservation is one of the least diverse sectors, and we actively encourage applications from candidates who identify as part of underrepresented communities. We are committed to building a supportive and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage.
What We Offer?
- Purpose driven work – join an organisation where every role contributes to creating a world where wildlife thrives.
- 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 (increasing with milestone anniversaries).
- Access to ZSL’s staff Equality Networks - Race & Culture, Team Pride, Disability, and Menopause, supporting an inclusive and welcoming workplace for those with lived experience.
- 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 eligible 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.
We may close this role early or extend the closing date due to the number of applications we receive, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
If you have any questions about this role, we’d love to hear from you! Please get in touch with our recruitment team at – [email protected]
Programme Manager (SERCA Impact & Capacity) in London employer: ZSL
At ZSL, we are dedicated to creating a world where wildlife thrives, and as a Programme Manager, you will play a pivotal role in this mission. Our inclusive work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, offering employees the chance to grow through meaningful projects that make a real impact on conservation efforts globally. With generous benefits such as flexible working arrangements, a robust pension scheme, and access to wellbeing initiatives, ZSL is an exceptional employer for those passionate about making a difference in the field of conservation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Manager (SERCA Impact & Capacity) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the conservation field, especially those connected to ZSL or SERCA. Attend events, webinars, or even local meet-ups to make those valuable connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching ZSL and SERCA thoroughly. Understand their mission, values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the Programme Manager role. Highlight your skills in managing multi-partner projects and using conservation monitoring tools like SMART and EarthRanger.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at ZSL and making a difference in conservation.
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Manager (SERCA Impact & Capacity) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the Programme Manager role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Experience:Don’t just list your past roles; explain how your experiences have prepared you for this position. Focus on your management of complex conservation projects and any training programmes you've delivered.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your key achievements stand out. This helps us see your potential quickly!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people and shows your enthusiasm for joining our team at ZSL.
How to prepare for a job interview at ZSL
✨Know Your SERCA Tools
Familiarise yourself with the SMART and EarthRanger tools before the interview. Understand how they work and their impact on conservation management. Being able to discuss specific examples of how you've used these tools or similar platforms will show your expertise and readiness for the role.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Prepare to discuss your experience managing complex, multi-partner conservation projects. Highlight specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them. This will demonstrate your ability to lead and coordinate effectively across various organisations and geographies.
✨Emphasise Training Experience
Since the role involves overseeing training programmes, be ready to share your experiences in designing and delivering training. Discuss any materials you've created and how you've adapted your approach based on feedback. This will illustrate your capability to enhance field capacity.
✨Align with ZSL’s Values
Research ZSL’s mission and values, particularly their commitment to diversity and inclusion. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to creating a supportive workplace. This will show that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the organisation's culture.
