Professional/Short course Conservation Project Management

Content

The module syllabus typically includes the following:

• Central tenets of project management that maintain high standards of effectiveness and ethics, as well as carry executive decisions.
• Introduction to objective setting, timeline and management of different project phases (pre-project design, project implementation, and project closure).
• Project management types and management flexibility.
• Leadership styles and understanding own strength and weaknesses.
• Assignment of roles within the project to ensure clear decision-making, efficient project control.
• Recruiting, training and managing staff; as well as establishing system of works to ensure staff engagement (regular meetings, appraisal and monthly work plan) and team cohesion in a transcultural environment (e.g. innovative ways to recruit staff, HR management and planning, handling difficult situations with discretion and conflict resolution).
• Managing partner, stakeholders and third parties: relationships, communication, conflict resolution, cultural differences, etc.
• The different sections of project management to ensure that conservation activities start with adequate documentation, funds and staff in place, and to ensure that there is a clear path for undertaking and completing the project once it has been initiated.
• The procedures required to ensure that the project remains on track to achieve the impact, within budget and on schedule, to manage risks and issues effectively, and to identify and adapt to lessons learned.
• Methods and processes to ensure effectiveness of communication and maximisation of quality of required documentation and deliverables.
• The creation and utility of standardised documentation and administrative processes required for successful planning, implementation, evaluation, and reporting of a project.
• Implementing and monitoring safeguarding and whistleblowing processes as well as Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) training.

Learning and Teaching

This level 7 module will be delivered through a combination of recorded lectures and asynchronous activities, including contributions to forums, wikis and guided reading.

You will also be offered live, interactive tutorial classes and facilitated group work.

This module will make extensive use of Bristol Zoological Society and UWE Bristol's expertise in project management of conservation programmes in the UK and around the world, and will provide real-world case studies to support student learning.

Assessment

Assessment for this module comprises a presentation which will explore your ability to apply the theoretical concepts learned during the course into an applied scenario. You will be assessed during a mock interview (duration of 20 minutes) by a panel of two academic staff for a hypothetical conservation project manager job role. 

Two weeks prior to the assessment (interview), you will be provided with the salient information about an imaginary existing conservation project, including the aims, objectives, budgets, and personnel involved.