Job Description

Programme Manager, Captive Animal Issues

Born Free, the internationally renowned wild animal welfare and wildlife conservation organisation, is seeking to recruit a Programme Manager, Captive Animal Issues to join the newly-consolidated Animal Welfare and Captivity team based at our Head Office in Horsham, West Sussex. 

Reporting to the Head of Animal Welfare & Captivity, and working as part of a busy and dynamic team, this is a full time role and an exciting opportunity to work in a fast-growing international wildlife charity. Born Free is dedicated to stop wild animal suffering and to conserve animals in the wild. It has a long-standing commitment to raising the profile and understanding of issues affecting wild animals in captivity, to improve animal protection and to reduce animal exploitation through research, investigation, awareness and, where feasible, rescue and rehabilitation.

Responsible for developing and delivering high-quality campaigns, research, strategy and protocols for animal welfare, project management and public education relating to wild animals in captivity in the UK and globally, the Programme Manager, Captive Animal Issues will assist the Head of Animal Welfare & Captivity in developing and implementing Born Free’s portfolio of projects and will fulfil a vital role in turning strategy into practice.

This role will be responsible for managing a small team within the Animal Welfare & Captivity department, and for working with colleagues across the organisation (Conservation, Education, Policy, Communications and Enterprise) to further Born Free’s mission and objectives relating to wild animals in captivity. The successful candidate will be an effective, enthusiastic and motivated team player with relevant experience, well-developed people skills, the ability to prioritise and organise whilst working under pressure, and to respond to deadlines.

Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Working with the Head of Animal Welfare & Captivity to develop and deliver Born Free’s portfolio of projects relating to wild animals in captivity.
• Designing, implementing and monitoring public campaigns relating to wild animals in captivity, to inform, engage people and encourage concerned members of the public to take action.
• Undertaking and overseeing research and investigative work on priority issues such as zoos, circuses, and exotic pets, in the UK and internationally;
• Producing regular high-quality internal and external reports and briefings to inform and educate a range of stakeholders, including decision-makers and the public;
• Assisting in the development of policy to bring about legislative and attitudinal change;
• Evaluating, applying and working to improve legislation and standards relating to wild animals in captivity;
• Providing clear, well-researched and effective communication materials concerning Born Free’s animal welfare and compassionate conservation priorities to internal and external stakeholders;
• Developing and managing relationships with like-minded NGOs and other groups and individuals through both formal and informal networks, and ensuring that Born Free’s captive animal priorities and policies are well understoog and are prominently represented in collective NGO positions and associated materials;
• Ensuring efficient and effective management of resources, including staff, to achieve maximum impact;
• Promoting Born Free’s philosophy, mission, policies and objectives.

Essential experience and skills:

• Experience of implementing and managing NGO campaigns;
• Experience of managing teams;

• Strong research and data management and presentation skills;
• Sound knowledge of animal welfare;
• Proficiency with Microsoft computer packages, and an ability to work with and interrogate databases and spreadsheets;
• Excellent interpersonal, presentational and communication skills, and an ability to create and write technical reports, and contribute to press releases, website pages and blogs to a high standard;
• A self-starter with the ability to provide leadership and collaborate as part of teams consisting of both internal and external colleagues;
• Ability to prioritise, with excellent time and project management;
• Degree (BSc. or similar) or postgraduate degree in relevant field;
• Experience of and willingness to travel, solo as necessary;

• Non-essential but beneficial: Media training, public speaking and legislative / lobbying experience

This is a full time role with a salary of £29,800 per annum.  Applicants must be UK residents or be legally permitted to work in the UK. 

The closing date for applications is 7th May 2018