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Senior Director, Conservation Areas - 21055

Employer
WWF Washington, DC
Location
Indian, Maine, US
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
Sep 9, 2021

View more

Sector
Consultancy/Private Sector
Field
Conservation science
Discipline
Climate Change
Salary Type
Salary
Employment Type
Full time
World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world's leading conservation organizations, seeks a Senior Director, Conservation Areas. This position will be based in Washington, DC.

WWF is making a concerted effort to contribute to the new area-based conservation (ABC) targets that are likely to be adopted by the conference of Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 2021. To this end, WWF is currently reviewing several ABC efforts and scaling up its efforts to work with teams in its priority places to enhance ABC for nature and nature's services to people, for current and future conditions. This important work takes a science-based approach and includes improved management effectiveness of protected and other effective area-based means of conservation (OECM); renovation of degraded areas; redesign of both landscapes/seascapes and individual areas; and expansion to new areas. Throughout this work, WWF ensures an inclusive, equitable approach that respects the rights and aspirations of Indigenous peoples and local communities. The programs promote sound governance practices, support populations in reaping enhanced benefits from their localities while adapting to changing conditions such as climate change and withstanding unwelcome external threats to biodiversity and ecosystem services.

The Senior Director will report to the Vice-President of the Earth for Life Initiative. This role leads WWF-US's work on Protected Areas and OECMs under the Area Based Conservation Framework, working with teams to roll-out a new initiative to support protected area and OECM efforts in selected WWF-US priority places, and representing WWF-US in relevant forums and events. The Senior Director will collaborate with WWF's Earth for Life team to align this initiative with ongoing complementary work on Project Finance for Permanence, in order to maximize opportunities to promote durable financing for networks of protected and OECMs.

  • Lead WWF-US technical engagement in global fora on the post-Aichi protected area and OECM global targets, including representing WWF-US in discussions with stakeholders and at relevant events
  • Provide strategic technical advice on WWF-US priority places, identifying landscape, seascape and river-basins with good opportunities for enhancing and advancing ABC work.
  • Oversee and support area-based conservation assessments and rights holder/stakeholder analyses.
  • Strategically apply ABC tools and provide expert advice to support rights holder and stakeholder-led landscape/seascape/river-basin planning processes; further advising on all implementation, monitoring and revising of plans.
  • As appropriate, collaborate with and influence rights-holders and stakeholders to register their areas in global protected area and OECM databases.
  • Actively and recurringly test different approaches and tools, identifying baseline data, reviewing, revising, re-testing, etc. to establish best practices, recommendations, and guidance based on test results and successes.
  • Share and communicate the ABC approach and results within WWF-US, to the rest of the WWF Network and beyond, including donors and players in global, regional and national biodiversity and climate change sectors.
  • Stay abreast of global developments in CBD, Sustainable Development Goals and UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in relation to area-based conservation, and as appropriate take part in global forums on ABC, contributing to cutting-edge thinking.
  • Undertake fundraising efforts as required.
  • Undertake special initiatives and perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.


  • Master's degree or equivalent experience required; at least 12 years' experience of work at the nexus of conservation and development/human rights; climate adaptation experience a bonus
  • Extensive experience of inclusive conservation and proven ability to achieve results
  • Expert knowledge of Convention on Biological Diversity, especially biodiversity targets and their implications a strong bonus
  • Collaborative work style, and ability to work effectively and flexibly with others at all levels, including across teams, both inside and outside WWF-US.
  • Experience with international NGOs preferred.
  • Inclusive style that fosters informed decision making, particularly on challenging and complex issues.
  • Ability to juggle multiple tasks, work in complex and rapidly changing situations, and perform well under pressure.
  • Demonstrated ability to engage in and lead cross-organizational assessments, planning, and knowledge and learning processes.
  • Experience with project management, and a successful track record of fundraising and donor stewardship, including public and private donors.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, both written and oral
  • Fluency in English (written and spoken) essential; additional languages a bonus, particularly French or Spanish.
  • Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
  • Identifies and aligns with the core values of the WWF organization: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration.

To Apply:
  • Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page, Requisition #21055
  • Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone


As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status. WWF values diversity and inclusion and welcomes diverse candidates to apply.

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