Senior Specialist, Arctic Species

About WWF 
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is one of the World's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations. WWF has a global network active in over 100 countries with almost 5 million supporters.
WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. 

The WWF Global Arctic Programme (GAP) is one of the key regional programmes within the WWF network. The GAP leads the WWF Network, WWF National Offices in Arctic states, and other interested WWF offices in conservation efforts in the Arctic.  The GAP is hosted by, and headquartered at, WWF-Canada in Ottawa.

Responsibilities:

• Leads Arctic species strategy development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, in particular for the Polar Bear Species Action Plan (SAP) through coordination and interaction with the relevant WWF national offices / organizations, the WWF Species Programme, other WWF bodies such as TRAFFIC, eco-regional programmes, external partners, and donor organizations.
• Oversees the budget and operational plan of the GAP's species work, facilitates the strategic flow of funds to implement priorities, and ensures alignment to the SAP.
• Provides polar bear and general species conservation expertise to WWF colleagues involved with the GAP, seeking integration of species conservation requirements with the policy and governance, spatial conservation, as well as the business and industry components of the WWF Arctic Strategic Plan.
• Provides technical and policy advice to field and policy staff in national offices/organizations including through participation in project design, feasibility and development missions as appropriate, and to the broader WWF Network (including TRAFFIC) as required.
• Delivers policy outcomes for polar bear and key Arctic species in relevant global and regional policy and advocacy fora.
• Develops and implements a species fundraising strategy.
• Organizes and participates in the monitoring and evaluation of GAP activities and prepares a bi-annual Technical Progress Report on the Polar Bear SAP implementation progress.
• Develops and implements communications strategies, progress updates and products for Arctic species, in collaboration with the Communications team of the GAP, the Conservation Communications Unit of WWF-International, and the Global Species Programme.
• Maintains links with scientific, conservation, and governmental bodies related to polar bear and other Arctic species conservation issues to ensure synergies and partnerships where appropriate and provides regular updates on progress to the GAP and WWF Species Programme.
• Represents GAP, and where appropriate WWF, at external fora on polar bear and other Arctic species issues in coordination with the GAP Director.
• Maintains technical contacts with the Director of the WWF Global Species Programme and attends the bimonthly SAP Leaders calls and the annual SAP Leaders meeting.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD in the field of natural resources management, biological sciences, or conservation biology.
• At least 7 years of experience in wildlife or conservation programme/project management or coordination with experience coordinating complex international programmes with strong policy and advocacy components, across different disciplines and cultural backgrounds. Extensive Arctic conservation experience is a definite asset.
• Good technical knowledge of species conservation and biodiversity conservation in general, and with understanding of the major conservation issues affecting Arctic species.
• Understanding of field-based activities as well as of international policy fora.
• Experience developing fundraising proposals and cultivating relationships with donors.
• Direct work experience with an international conservation NGO, agencies and/or government. Strong and proven programme leadership, management, and coordination skills, interpersonal and team-building skills, understanding of project and financial management, and budgeting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, knowledge of another Arctic language is an asset.
• Ability to travel for meetings and to visit project sites (30% of time) is essential for this position.
• Proactive, self-motivating person, who works within the team but demonstrates ability for autonomy.
• Excellent oral and written presentation and communication skills, rigor, and ability to translate technical and scientific information for a non-technical audience.

Other Information:
This is a full-time, two-year term position with possibility of renewal.
This position will be located in our Ottawa office or in a WWF national office outside of Canada depending on the suitability of the successful candidate.

There will be international travel as part of this role.
 
Apply at:
https://home.eease.com/recruit2/?id=14036921&t=1