Equity, Rights & Social Safeguards Officer

Overview of the role:
ZSL is looking to hire an Equity, Rights and Social Safeguarding Officer to join ourAquatic
Species & Policy team,which sits in the Conservation & Policy Department. Supported by
ZSL’s FAIRER team based in London, the Equity, Rights and Social Safeguarding Officer will
coordinate, oversee, and provide technicalexpertiserelated to inclusion and social
safeguarding withinthe Defra-funded Clean Catch programme of work.This role will work
together with a consortium of partners across the Programme to ensure we meet our duty of care
and Environmental and Social (E&S) safeguard compliance and monitoring requirements.This
positionwill require frequentfield visits to UK-based sites to co-design and implement fairer
community engagement approaches and associated tools and safeguards.There is
flexibilityregardingworking, but regular travel in England and occasional travel to London
will be required.
NB: This is an 18 month FTC
Key responsibilities:
Leadingand coordinatingtheprogramme’seffortsto engage local actors
meaningfullybyintegratingZSL’s FAIRER conservation frameworkacross theclean catchproject
components.
Lead on the design,deliveryand analysis ofqualitative and quantitativesocial science
research(for example, focus groups, key informant interviews andquestionnaires)across
fisheriesalongtheSouthwestcoast, toinformbarrier removal when engaging witha new
fishery(to beidentifiedin 2024).
The role holder willbe required to take on project management tasks, includingleading the
organisation and management ofrelevantmeetings, contributingtoannualfunder
reports,managing and reconciling project expenditure,attending projectconsortium meetings,
and supportingother partnerworkpackages as and when requiredto ensure that deliverables are
achieved according to the grant contract, work-plan and budget.
Lead on the organisation and management of engagement meetings, workshops and community
focus group discussionsthat enable the participation of diverseactors, includingpreparing
materials and taking minutesand sharing learnings.
Lead on the development of key environmental and social safeguarding instruments such as
Environment and SocialRisk Assessments andManagement Plans,Free Prior Informed
Consent(FPIC) processes,GESI analysesand other approved ZSL related safeguards and
policiesacross theClean Catchprogramme.
Collaborate with the Fisheries Liaison Officersto communicateand report onenvironmental
and social safeguarding instrumentswith local actors, ensuresafeguarding instruments
meetlocal actorneeds and create positive action interventions to supportlocal actors, in
particular underserved groups.
Work closely with ZSL’s FAIRER team to streamline FAIRER processes, ensure continuity of
delivery of high-qualityequitableoutputsand embed FAIRER values across the Clean Catch
programme.
Act as a focal person to communicate and work with partners to effectively deliver
andestablishenvironmental and socialsafeguarding instrumentsand co-design a new programme
governance structure. Thiswillrequire support to implementing partner organisations to uphold
FAIRER standardsandmay require an assessment of partnercapacityneeds.The role holder may
also need torepresentZSL in different fora, attend meetings and provide support
towiderpartners as needed.
Lead on human ethics processes for research approval.Communicate anyenvironmental or
socialrisks, responses to the safeguards related complaints to the senior management team
andDSOs, andwork closely with theFAIRER teamto coordinate a response to safeguarding
concerns.
The rolewill work closelywithFAIRER co-leads (Lucy Archer and Surshti Patel) to support
the integration of learningsfrom theClean Catchprogrammeinto ZSL’s wider development of the
FAIRERprogramme, andwill work closely withZSL’sproject managers andM&E
officerstoensure FAIRER approaches are embedded across activities and theirMonitoring &
Evaluation (M&E).
The role holder will be expected to provide advice andsuggest adaptations or improvements
where needed.
The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list andadditionaltasks may
be assigned from time to time that are in line with the level of the role.
ABOUT YOU
Thisposition will primarily involve workingwiththe wider Clean Catch network offishers,
academics,NGOsand government bodies,toco-designsolutionswithin UKfisheriesto
tacklebycatchof sensitive marine species. The Officer will need experience delivering
multi-actorcommunity focussed projects, implementing social safeguarding, the ability to build
the trust of community groups and a commitment to promoting the value of a diverse and
inclusivecollaborationenvironment.Previouswork and experience working
withUKfisherieswould be asignificantadvantage.
Essential experience:
The post holder should have at least a degree in social science/development studies or a
similar fieldorrelevant experience in implementing E&S safeguard systems or qualitative
researchand working with local actors
Prior experience of delivering social equity and inclusionprocesses with
experienceleadingworkwith asocial inclusion focus.
Experienceimplementing participatory social science research methods such asfocus group
discussions, key informant interviews, questionnaire surveysandcommunity voice methods.
Experienceorganising community-led initiativesand a proven abilitytobuildtrust with
local community groups,using cultural bridging and sensitivity.
Ability to think critically and analyse complex and nuanced problems – the post holder
will be capable of dealing with complex matters and communicating them effectively andin a
timely manner.
Essential knowledge and skills:
Fluent English (spoken and written).
Good knowledge ofcurrent and emerging best practice related toNational and International
Environmentaland Social Safeguards instruments,human-rights laws, environmentalrulesand
regulations.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build andmaintainrelationships with a wide
network of relevant actors, including focal communities, local groups, policy makers and other
organisations tomaintainand support engagement and action.
Theability tomaintaincollaborative work practices to build strong working relationships
and be capable to cope with variety of work and workloads andmanagecompeting
prioritieseffectively.
The post holder willdemonstratestrongconflict-resolution skills.
Acommitment to professional self-development, through participation in self- learning and
training as necessary to carry out the role.
Advanced skills and knowledge of computer applications including data collection software,
advanced excel and other MS packages.
Strong time management skills, including the ability to respond quickly to demands,
effectivelyprioritiseand meet deadlines, and work in a fast-paced environment
This position will be officeor homebased but considerable travel will berequired.
This post may require occasional work during evenings and/or weekends.
The work may involve dealing with conflict and controversial or politically sensitive
issues.
The work may involve dealing with sensitive topics that intersect with lived experiences of
the role holder. On these occasions, the role holder will need to be able to raise this so that
ample support can be provided from ZSL’s Environmental and Social Safeguarding Specialistand
HR, asrequired.
Strong commitment to creating a culturethat lives ZSL valuesand commitment to
safeguarding, equality and diversity(collaborative, inspiring, inclusive,
innovative,impactfuland ethical).
Tocomply withand promote Health and Safety policies andprocedures.
Flexibility is important; the post holder needs to be able to respond to changing
priorities asrequired.
Additional requirements:
This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate's right to
work in the UK.
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
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
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 eligibly 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
NB: We reserve the right to close our advertisement early or extend the advertising date untila suitable candidate has been found.
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