Application
"The Business Plan allows one to strategically assess the product and think about things rather than just do. The mix of business and interpersonal skills is also vital in effecting the business plan." - 2012 World Heritage Site participant
Eligible to apply:
*Permanent Staff from Natural World Heritage Sites from Africa and The Middle East
*Permanent Staff from Natural Protected Areas from Africa and The Middle East
*Fluent in English
No business planning knowledge required
Application deadline: 17 May 2013
The programme is open to natural World Heritage Site agencies, protected areas on the UNESCO tentative list and affiliated organisations working in Africa and the Middle East. World Heritage Sites which have already participated on the programme are not eligible to apply again. Each Site should nominate three - four employees. At least one of them should be a senior member of staff. The application must be supported by your Site manager. In the event your application is successful, three applicants will be selected to participate in the programme. Applications with nominees who are in a senior position to make a direct contribution to the way the organisation operates, stand a better chance of being successful.
Unsure whether to apply? If you can answer the following questions with Yes, then why not give it a go!
Are you…
- Enthusiastic about developing business planning skills and learning how to apply these to the management of your Site?
- Able to spend time on developing a business plan for your Site for twelve months starting from the project start date?
- Interested to meet and build networks with staff from other Sites?
- Able to communicate fluently in English, both in writing and verbally?
- Available to take part in an interview by phone as part of the application process?
- Available to attend the project in The Mpala Research Centre, Kenya in October 2013?
- Willing and fit enough to live and work in basic accommodation for 10 days?
- And don't forget…do you have the full support of your Site manager to provide the time and resources necessary for this programme? And do you have his/her commitment to embed the learning from this programme in your organisation and make changes as a result of what has been learnt?
"The potential scope of this programme is vast. Together, the world's protected areas cover an area greater than Africa. Many of the organisations that manage these protected areas lack adequate business and organisational management capabilities. This can lead to the degradation of the ecosystems and biodiversity which lie within. We are utilising the skills and resources of international businesses to fill this gap, to improve management of protected areas and conserve the nature within." Claire Lippold – Shell Programme Manager Earthwatch Institute