Trustee

Bristol Zoological Society is looking for:

Trustee with special interest in Conservation

Bristol Zoological Society (BZS) was established in 1835, and is a charity dedicated to saving wildlife together. We do this through conservation action and engaging people with the natural world. We are undertaking an ambitious transformation programme that includes creating a new Bristol Zoo. We operate the Institute of Conservation Science and Learning and lead a number of flagship field conservation programmes throughout the world.

Our vision is “for wildlife to be a part of everyone’s lives and for people to want to, and be enabled to, protect wildlife now and for the future”. To do this, we are building on past successes to combine public engagement; education; applied field conservation and research for positive conservation impact. Our ambition is to redefine what a modern zoological society should be and lead our industry in new ways of thinking and working.

In 2013 Wild Place Project was launched on a large, natural site in South Gloucestershire. Wild Place Project is now called Bristol Zoo Project and is the focus of our transformation programme. In 2017, we opened a new Giraffe House and a major new exhibit – Bear Wood – opened in summer 2019. Our projected visitor numbers are set to grow each year.

We will develop and deliver a new conservation campus, with facilities for conservation breeding, education, research, veterinary and conservation medicine; integrated with a re-imagined and exciting experience for visitors at Bristol Zoo Project. Our goal is for more than 90% of species kept at the new Bristol Zoo to be there as part of an active conservation programme.

We lead a number of conservation initiatives through our UK-based and global field conservation programmes, including those for Western lowland gorillas, Kordofan giraffe, bleeding heart doves, several species of lemur, white-clawed crayfish, Desertas wolf spiders and several species of freshwater fish. We are currently working on conservation and research projects in countries such as the Philippines, Madagascar, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Tanzania, Mexico and Greece and locally in the southwest of the UK.

Through our strategic partnerships with four higher education institutions, we are able to use the benefit of our conservation fieldwork experience to lead a series of undergraduate and postgraduate zoology and conservation programmes for more than 400 students each year, with a plan to increase this to more than 600 in the coming years.

More information on the Society and its activities is available on our website: www.bristolzoo.org.uk

We are looking for a new Trustee with practical and strategic conservation experience. Details of the role, experience and skills sought, and time commitment are set out below.

This is a rewarding voluntary role that offers an individual the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the governance of our organisation and to the realisation of our vision and mission. At the same time, it is an opportunity to expand and enhance your own networks. Our Trustees come from a wide variety of backgrounds and all applicants are welcome for this role.

Governance and leadership

Our Chair and Board of Trustees are responsible for our activities and our assets, ensuring legal and charitable compliance and efficient use of resources. They contribute to the development and review of the mission and values of the Society, long-term plans and key performance indicators as well as formally approving them and ensuring that these meet the interests of the Society’s beneficiaries and stakeholders.

David Esam is our Chair of Trustees and Chris Booy OBE is our Vice Chair. Our twelve Trustees (including David and Chris) have a wide range of skills and expertise; many but not all are based in Bristol. Details of our current Trustees are available at www.bristolzoo.org.uk/our-people.

We have two Board sub-committees chaired by Trustees.

• Finance Risk & Audit Committee
• People Committee

In addition, we have three Trustee Advisory Groups, comprising independent experts in their respective fields.

• Public Engagement Advisory Group
• Conservation Advisory Group
• Sustainability Advisory Group

The day-to-day business of the Society is overseen by our Chief Executive, Justin Morris and the Executive Board, which is comprised of the Chief Executive, the Director of Conservation and Science, the Director of Finance and Corporate Services, Director of People & Public Engagement and Director of Estates.

Role of Trustees

Trustees are critical appointments for the Society. Our Trustees display obvious enthusiasm for the Society’s work and values and commitment to its vision and mission.

The main responsibilities of a Trustee are:

• Contribute meaningfully to the strategic development of the Society, considering the organisation as a whole, and its beneficiaries, in all discussions around strategic planning and activity.
• Develop positive and constructive relationships with the Chair and Trustees, Chief Executive and Executive Board to enable effective discussion and decision making.
• Hold the Executive Board to account for its leadership and management of the Society, provide constructive challenge and support, ensure that adequate systems of control and risk management are in place and assure that the Society is sustainable and financially viable.
• Act with integrity, objectivity and honesty and to promote openness and trust in accordance with accepted standards of behaviour in public life.
• Represent the Society at key events and meetings.

The Board meets for two full days each year plus four evening meetings (currently on a Monday evening). Trustees are also expected to attend the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders. Some Trustees are also members of a sub-committee. Meetings are held in Bristol and are usually face to face. Dates of meetings are set approximately six months in advance and papers are generally available seven days before each meeting. We have a number of Trustees who work full-time and our arrangements are designed to support this.

Trustees are also invited to attend Society events from time to time – this might include conservation lectures, zoo events and staff meetings. These are not a requirement, however getting to know the wider organisation helps contribute to success as a Trustee.

Some Trustees represent the Society at networking and fundraising events and meetings within Bristol and beyond. This is not a requirement and will be suitable for Trustees with particular skills, experience or interest in this and is particularly suitable for those living or working within the Greater Bristol and South Gloucestershire area.

The term of office for Trustees is three years with the potential to extend for two further appointments of three years.

Trustees are not paid but do receive free admission for themselves and their immediate families to our sites. Travel and accommodation expenses are reimbursed.

Role of Conservation Trustee

We are looking for a new Trustee to join us to take our vision forward with significant expertise in conservation. As we implement our strategy, we want to strengthen the expertise and focus of our Board in this area. We are therefore are looking for someone with all or many of the following areas of experience and skills:

• A background in applied conservation, with experience of writing and/or evaluating conservation strategies, designing, implementing, as well as achieving and evaluating impact in integrated conservation for species and/or ecosystems
• Experience working internationally, ideally in the Global South (our international geographical focus is largely based in Africa but we also have projects in SE Asia and Central America). Therefore an understanding of the importance of cultural sensitivity, working through language barriers and promoting and enabling local community engagement is essential
• We also have a large and growing portfolio of conservation work in the UK, particularly in the southwest region that we are developing. Experience and knowledge of the UK conservation landscape and policies is therefore important
• A good understanding of the global conservation community, both in the charitable sector and across governmental and private sectors
• Familiarity with and demonstrable success in securing conservation funding via key funding bodies with an understanding of what creates a successful funding application. Ideally familiarity with key funders for conservation in both public and private sectors
• Understanding and support for integrated ex-situ and in-situ conservation work, with familiarity and recognition of the role the zoos can play in conservation
• Knowledge of effective practices for conservation in-situ across a range of taxa and ecosystems, particularly in the Global South
• A good network of colleagues across multiple conservation disciplines that can be consulted with as needed
• Skills in creating effective partnerships and collaborations with other organisations, as well as with government agencies in other countries, to achieve greater outcomes and impact
• Knowledge of international conservation conventions and other protocols and treaties (e.g. Nagoya; CITES; CBD)

Previous Trustee experience is not required as appropriate induction and training will be given.

We are keen to engage with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and are committed to building a Board which is characterised by a diversity of thought perspectives and life experiences.