[Coral-List] Funded training opportunity for Protected Area staff - marine or terrestrial

[Jenny Cousins]

The Earth Skills Network: Funded training and mentoring in business planning and organisational management, for Protected Area staff.
Please share this training opportunity within your Africa Protected Area network - terrestrial or marine protected areas.
The Earth Skills Network (ESN) is a collaboration between Earthwatch Institute, UNESCO, IUCN and the business community, which connects business leaders and conservation managers through mentoring and skill-sharing opportunities.
Protected areas are the cornerstone of international efforts to meet ambitious global conservation targets, yet they face numerous challenges. Most protected area site managers are trained biologists with several years of field experience, however effectively managing protected areas requires additional skill sets, which that are not always part of traditional staff training. Management challenges go beyond ecosystem health and include those related to running a site's organisational systems and processes. If a protected area lacks organisational effectiveness then it will be compromised in its ability to deliver on management objectives.
By joining the Earth Skills Network Protected Area staff can:

  *   Access a fully-funded, in-depth training programme in business planning and effective management.
  *   Receive mentoring from an expert with significant business experience in an international organisation.
  *   Support the professional development of staff, helping them to develop the leadership competencies required to put the skills they have developed into practise.
  *   Network, connect with and support staff from other African protected areas.


Training is available to Protected Areas, World Heritage Sites, protected area agencies or management authorities in Africa.  The programme is structured around a 10 day residential training course, which (in 2014) takes place in Mpala, Kenya.
The application period is open until the 28th March (extensions considered on request) and application materials are on the Earthwatch website: www.earthwatch.org/earth-skills-network<http://www.earthwatch.org/earth-skills-network>.

Please pass on to anyone who can benefit from this opportunity; or get in touch if you have any questions: jcousins at earthwatch.org.uk<mailto:jcousins at earthwatch.org.uk>

Jenny Cousins PhD
Earthwatch Institute

Mayfield House, 256 Banbury Road, Oxford. OX2 7DE. UK
T: +44 (0)1865 318 288  | earthwatch.org/europe<http://www.earthwatch.org/europe>