• LDCP

    • Leadership Development for Conservation Practitioners

      Starting 15 November to 17 December 2021 

       Our aim is to develop your understanding of and the practical skills required to be a more effective conservation leader. Please APPLY NOW  as places are limited, on a first come, first served basis. 
      This five-week course will guide you to understand the principles of leadership and help you to explore your own personality, strengths, and potential strengths, so you may evolve an authentic leadership style that is uniquely yours. 
      Drawing upon the theory and practice of leadership, we will use case studies, conversations with experts, and your own experience, to see how this applies to the context of wildlife conservation projects. Our training will equip you with the tools to navigate challenges and develop the critical leadership skills required to influence and guide others, giving you the confidence to expand your capabilities and maximise your conservation impact.

      Who is it for?

      Anyone working in conservation would benefit from this course. Everyone is a leader in some form, whether a programme manager or a university student; developing your leadership practice is a continuous process throughout your career, therefore we encourage all to apply, whether you are:

      Starters/Aspiring Conservation Starters

      Fresh from studying or early in your career, wanting to recognise and learn the skills to lead and influence. 


      Practitioners/Professionals 

      Conservation practitionersPractitioners who will be able to apply concepts straight away in their role (e.g., programme manager), and identify areas for growth and improvement in their own leadership approach, as well as understanding how to develop leadership skills in their colleagues and associates. 

      Professionals with conservation experience who want the ability to lead and influence, a valuable skill in staff and stakeholder relations to communicate actions with energy and vision.  


      Switchers/Career changers Switchers

      Are you changing career? Your leadership skills improve with every step, no matter what direction you take. This course will help you to improve a range of interpersonal skills, teach the value of such skills in a conservation context and direct you in how to apply them. 



      "My increased confidence to be a leader, and the inspiration and motivation that I found, will help me to set up innovative and effective conservation action". MANAGING & LEADING Conservation Projects, course participant.

      What is the course content?

      During the course you will learn about and reflect upon the following skills:

      • The value of self-awareness and reflection
      • Theory and principles of leadership practice
      • Situational leadership
      • Understanding and assessing organisational culture to inform leadership approaches
      • Effective leadership for team management  
      • Learning from failure in conservation
      • Managing interpersonal relations
      • Negotiation skills, communicating and influencing
      • Utilising your leadership skills to develop your career


      How will you benefit?

      By the end of the course you will be able to:

      • Explain how leadership is a dynamic practice which flexes with personality, gender, context and values, continuously developing with time and experience. 
      • Be able to describe your preferred leadership style and understand how to use this to your advantage, recognising your leadership potential and how to adapt your style to positively impact conservation at multiple levels.
      • Employ practical methods to enhance your team leadership, motivation and communication skills when working with a range of stakeholders and associates in conservation.
      • Assess the context of a conservation programme or challenge so you can identify the appropriate tools and approaches needed to unify and lead your team to maximise project impact.
      • Learn the principles of key interpersonal skills required in effective leadership, including options available for dealing with conflict, planning a successful negotiation,  identifying power sources and utilising your networks. 
      • Identify priority areas for your personal growth as a leader, exploring different tools and approaches available to you. From this you can develop a personal development action plan to effectively engage in leadership roles and processes.


            Where and how will the course be run?

            Our online course will require approximately 30 hours of self-paced learning spread over the five weeks. Hosted on our online learning management system, you will be able to view the course syllabus and your academic progress, as well as communicate with fellow students and course instructors in online forums and discussion groups. Content will be delivered through a blend of formats, including reading, interactive quizzes, videos and guided research, all at a time that suits your weekly schedule.

            In addition to online resources providing the bulk of training, live and interactive sessions will be run each week over zoom to engage more directly with course participants and course leaders. These will involves discussions and activities designed to enhance your learning experience. 


            How much will it cost?

            The 5 week course will cost a special introductory price of £450.


            Partners

            This course is run by Durrell in partnership with staff from Fauna and Flora International.

            A more detailed information leaflet will be made available very soon. Until, book or reserve a place by completing the application form and email to academy@durrell.org 

            For information please call +44 (0)1534 860037.