Senior Program Officer

Senior Program Officer

Purpose of the role

The Senior Program Officer will be responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on ZSL-implemented projects, ensuring effective collaboration with stakeholders to facilitate evidence-based decision-making.

The Senior Program Officer will work closely with the Program Manager and Policy Coordinator to coordinate with the relevant government agencies, implementing partners and buffer zone management committees to ensure effective implementation of the projects.

Key responsibilities: 

• Lead the implementation, monitoring, review, and update of the field program plan to ensure the organization achieves its objectives in a cost-effective and efficient manner.
• Collaborate with the Program Manager and Policy Coordinator to develop new projects aligned with the delivery of the Conservation Plan, maintaining the legacy of ZSL interventions, and contributing to the development team.
• Facilitate back-to-back agreement process with partners and consultants, including agreement preparation, documentation, and orientation of the prepared agreement.
• Lead the process of gathering information and provide support for the preparation of reports on outputs and outcomes required for donors and relevant government authorities, ensuring all reporting compliances are met.
• Provide oversight in preparing and delivering reports, as well as assisting in preparing financial reports as required by donors and stakeholders in a timely manner in coordination with Program Manager and other relevant officers and/or the programme staff as appropriate.

About You

• Master’s degree in forestry, wildlife, protected area management, watershed management with minimum 5 years of relevant experience in sustainable natural resource management, organizational capacity development, working in complex political and conservation environments.
• A sound knowledge and understanding of conservation context of Nepal including conservation policies and plans of Nepal, PA and BZ management and HWC management.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and diplomatic skills with the ability to manage and interact at all levels of an international, multicultural and multilingual organization.
• Excellent communication skills in both written and spoken English and Nepali.
• Ability to work proactively and effectively with various stakeholders and mobilize their active participation towards the project goals.
• Strong problem-solving skills needed to produce results in a challenging environment.
• Basic understanding of the socio-political context of Nepal, specifically of the western lowland region
• Familiarity with the relevant policies and laws regarding communities’ use of natural resources, tenure system, forestry, and wildlife conservation motivators
• Excellent English proficiency in oral and written communication, including a demonstrated track record in content creation and ability to communicate effectively.
• Proficiency in both written and spoken Nepali language is required

Standard DBS check is required as part of the role.

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
• Holidays – 19 days paid annual leave during each 12-month period worked, plus national and public holidays as per the Labor Act of Nepal.
• Wellbeing – Accidental insurance for staff and medical insurance for staff (including family members)
• Maternity leave and paternity leave available as per Labor act of Nepal.

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

All Locations: Nepal
All Departments: International field programmes
Salary Details: competitive
Vacancy Type: Fixed Term
Business Area: Global Conservation and Field Programmes
Contract length: 31st March 2028