Terrestrial Conservation Advisor, Papua New Guinea

Position:                Terrestrial Conservation Advisor, Papua New Guinea

Reports to:             WCS Papua New Guinea Country Program Director 

Location:               Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea

Country Program/Sector:  Global Conservation Program – Melanesia region

Position Type:        Full-time

Expected travel:     As and when required within/outside the country/region

Organization Background:

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, tax-exempt, private organization established in 1895 and based in New York, that saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, presence in more than 60 nations, and experience helping to establish over 150 protected areas across the globe, WCS has amassed the biological knowledge, cultural understanding and partnerships to ensure that vibrant, wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities.

WCS is the longest established international non-government conservation organisation within Papua New Guinea (PNG). At key and representative landscapes and seascapes, from the country’s coral islands to its forested highlands. WCS works with local communities and provincial, national and international partners, to sustainably manage and conserve the biodiversity and cultural values of Papua New Guinea’s wildlife and wild places. WCS PNG vision is “Gutpela sindaun, gutpela bus, gutpela solwara” (“Empowered people with healthy forests and seas”).

Position Summary:

WCS is now seeking a dynamic, experienced individual with knowledge of terrestrial conservation issues in tropical developing countries to provide technical oversight of and support for its terrestrial conservation program in Papua New Guinea. The position requires strong terrestrial ecology/biology expertise, extensive management and program development experience and a genuine commitment to the mission of WCS.

This position is responsible for the technical oversight of and support for the WCS PNG Terrestrial Program in areas of: project management and implementation; project development and reporting; local staff capacity building; and data analysis and publication. Current program implementation priorities include: designing and implementating sustainable forest management and livelihood schemes; analytical assessment of sustainable wildlife use; climate change ecosystem-based adaptation; community sustainable natural resources management; establishment of community conservation areas; endangered species research and conservation; influencing national conservation and sustainable development policies. The position reports to the PNG Country Program Director and works closely with the PNG senior management team, PNG terrestrial conservation team, WCS Melanesia Regional Director and other WCS Asia staff. The position oversees all technical assistance to terrestrial conservation activities and maintains appropriate communication with WCS project leads, key donors, funding agencies, local government institutions and NGO partners.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Contributing to the development of an updated strategy for WCS' terrestrial conservation work in PNG.
• Technical oversight of WCS PNG’s terrestrial conservation programmatic activities including species specific projects.
• Improving WCS PNG terrestrial conservation activities through the analysis of program and project outcomes.
• Managing a portfolio of terrestrial conservation projects including work plans, budgets, staff, and deliverables.
• Coordinating programmatic activities in line with administrative and financial aspects of WCS PNG Program.
• Writing technical reports to donors, government agencies, and other WCS offices.
• Authoring scientific papers, books, and popular articles, and supporting other WCS PNG staff to do so.
• Proactively supporting the development of high quality communication pieces for increasing the profile of WCS PNG terrestrial program and its technical activities.
• Influencing policy development by sharing program results and lessons learned with government partners and other key stakeholders.
• Contributing to the identification of fundraising opportunities, draft proposals, and develop and maintain good working relationships and/or partnerships with donors, government, NGOs, private sector and other key stakeholders.
• Leading WCS PNG’s terrestrial conservation scientific research and publications.
• Designing protocols for field data collection, data management, and analysis.
• Capacity building of WCS PNG terrestrial conservation technical staff and local partners.
• Contribute to performance reviews of WCS PNG terrestrial conservation team and the recruitment of new staff and short-term specialists.

Position Requirements:

• PhD or Masters degree and experience in a field related to in situ conservation.
• Proven ability to write fundraising proposals and manage grants and donor reports.
• Demonstrated success in delivering conservation interventions. Experience within the context of a tropical developing country is desirable.
• Experience in program implementation and project management.
• Experience managing EU and/or USAID funded projects is desirable.
• Strong scientific analytical skills, including: experimental design, statistical analysis (knowledge of program R is critical), and data management.
• Experience in community-based and collaborative terrestrial conservation initiatives. Experience in REDD+, silviculture and wildlife monitoring is desirable.
• Background knowledge of natural resource management and bio-cultural issues in Papua New Guinea is advantageous.
• Demonstrated success in publishing scientific articles in peer reviewed journals and ability to communicate scientific information to a general audience.
• Ability to work sensitively and effectively with people of diverse cultures, value systems, perspectives and levels of education, and to manage and work with staff and partners in these contexts.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
• Professional proficiency in English. Working knowledge of Tok Pisin is advantageous.
• Ability and strong willingness to mentor and build local staff and partner capacity in community-driven natural resource management, field research, conservation biology, conservation advocacy, and project management.
• Effective “roll up the sleeves” work ethic, with attention to detail. 

• Willingness to travel within PNG and internationally.
• Genuine commitment to the mission of WCS.

Application Process:

Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications, should apply by sending an application letter and CV together with the names and contact information of three references to globalrecruitment@wcs.org or via WCS main career site at https://www.wcs.org/about-us/careers.

WCS is an equal opportunity employer and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on age, color, disability, gender identify, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by laws and regulations

Please note that only short listed candidates will be contacted for interview.