ZSL Seascape Programme – Project & Engagement Officer

Zoological Society of London (ZSL); Field; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 36,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension (up to 12%)

Flexible working

25 days leave incl. holidays

Family-friendly policies

Life assurance

EAP & wellbeing support

Equality networks

Zoo tickets & discounts

Cycle2Work

Job summary

ZSL in the UK is seeking a motivated Project & Engagement Officer to support an exciting marine restoration project across North Wales. You will work with Bangor University and other partners, building relationships with fishers and coastal communities to inform and shape plans for habitat restoration and nature recovery.

This 18-month fixed-term role, 22.5 hours per week, offers pro-rata salary and opportunities to contribute to evidence-led conservation, partnerships, and community involvement

Qualifications

• Experience coordinating conservation, environmental or community engagement projects, ideally involving multiple partners, stakeholders or local communities.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage diverse groups, facilitate meetings and workshops, and support collaborative decision-making.
• Strong organisational and project coordination skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and deliver project activities effectively.
• An understanding of marine conservation, fisheries and coastal ecosystems in the UK, with a commitment to collaborative approaches to nature recovery.
• Excellent written and analytical skills, including the ability to prepare reports and presentations, analyse stakeholder feedback and communicate information to a range of audiences.
• A degree in marine biology, conservation, environmental science, social sciences or a related subject, or equivalent practical experience.
• A full UK driving licence, alongside a willingness to travel across North Wales and attend occasional evening or weekend events.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate project activities, monitor progress against key milestones and objectives, and maintain effective project management, reporting and governance systems to support successful delivery.
• Build strong relationships with fishers, seafood businesses, coastal communities and partner organisations, ensuring inclusive engagement and meaningful participation in marine restoration planning.
• Coordinate and support the Fisheries Advisory Group, ensuring fisheries knowledge, local expertise and stakeholder perspectives inform project development and decision-making.
• Support the development of the Five-Year Seascape Restoration Plan by gathering and integrating local knowledge, identifying opportunities for community involvement, and supporting long-term marine recovery and stewardship.
• Represent the project at meetings, workshops and events, develop engaging project communications and reports, and contribute to monitoring and evaluation to demonstrate impact and inform future conservation work.

Skills

Project coordination

Stakeholder engagement

Partnership development

Marine biology knowledge

Report writing

Delivery planning

UK driving licence

Travel willingness

Education

Degree in marine biology

Job description

We are looking for a motivated Project & Engagement Officer to support the delivery of an exciting marine restoration project across North Wales. This is an opportunity for someone passionate about marine conservation, community engagement and partnership working to help shape the future of our coastal and marine environments.

Working closely with the Project Manager and the Engagement and Partnership Coordinator at Bangor University, you will build relationships with fishers, coastal communities and partner organisations, coordinate project activities and support the delivery of a Fisheries Advisory Group. You will play an important role in ensuring that local knowledge, experiences and perspectives help inform plans for marine habitat restoration across the Menai seascape.

You will also contribute to the development of a Five-Year Seascape Restoration Plan, helping to support nature recovery, sustainable fisheries and collaborative conservation across North Wales. Through this role, you will contribute to ZSL 200, supporting evidence-led conservation, strengthening partnerships and empowering coastal communities to play an active role in restoring and protecting marine ecosystems for the future.

This is an 18-month, fixed-term contract working 22.5 hours per week, with a pro-rata salary of £17,503.80 per annum.

Key Responsibilities:

• Project Coordination & Delivery: Coordinate project activities, monitor progress against key milestones and objectives, and maintain effective project management, reporting and governance systems to support successful delivery.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships: Build strong relationships with fishers, seafood businesses, coastal communities and partner organisations, ensuring inclusive engagement and meaningful participation in marine restoration planning.
• Fisheries Advisory Group Coordination: Coordinate and support the Fisheries Advisory Group, ensuring fisheries knowledge, local expertise and stakeholder perspectives inform project development and decision‑making.
• Seascape Restoration Planning: Support the development of the Five-Year Seascape Restoration Plan by gathering and integrating local knowledge, identifying opportunities for community involvement, and supporting long‑term marine recovery and stewardship.
• Communications, Reporting & Representation: Represent the project at meetings, workshops and events, develop engaging project communications and reports, and contribute to monitoring and evaluation to demonstrate impact and inform future conservation work.

• Experience coordinating conservation, environmental or community engagement projects, ideally involving multiple partners, stakeholders or local communities.
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to engage diverse groups, facilitate meetings and workshops, and support collaborative decision‑making.
• Strong organisational and project coordination skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and deliver project activities effectively.
• An understanding of marine conservation, fisheries and coastal ecosystems in the UK, with a commitment to collaborative approaches to nature recovery.
• Excellent written and analytical skills, including the ability to prepare reports and presentations, analyse stakeholder feedback and communicate information to a range of audiences.
• A degree in marine biology, conservation, environmental science, social sciences or a related subject, or equivalent practical experience.
• A full UK driving licence, alongside a willingness to travel across North Wales and attend occasional evening or weekend events.

What We Offer?

• Alongside the opportunity to do purpose-driven work that helps create a world where wildlife thrives, you'll enjoy a range of benefits, including:
• Up to 12% contributory pension
• Flexible working options
• 25 days' annual leave plus UK bank holidays, increasing with service
• Enhanced family‑friendly policies
• Life assurance from day one (for eligible employees)
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support
• Access to our staff Equality Networks
• Complimentary London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo tickets, plus retail discounts
• Cycle2Work scheme and interest‑free season ticket loans (for eligible London‑based employees)

You can find the full details of our benefits in the attached Benefits Guide.

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.

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.

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.