Senior Program Officer, Nature-Based Solutions - 23004

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a Senior Program Officer, Nature-Based Solutions.

Major Function

The Senior Program Officer, Nature-Based Solutions will support key WWF country teams and their partners in forest geographies in the ideation, design, planning and implementation of forest and land use policies, programs and incentive systems that collectively address drivers of deforestation and degradation at scale. In collaboration with forest and climate team members, this role will help WWF country offices and partners to build support for land policy reforms, including establishing linkages with subnational/national REDD+ programs and Nationally-Determined Contributions (NDCs), and develop external support through elaboration of funding proposals and/or place-based corporate partnerships.

• Provide oversight to country-based teams regarding project planning, implementation and reporting to donors, including against agreed metrics for social, climate and nature benefits.
• Contribute with programmatic Monitoring and Evaluation for the team’s projects and programs.
• Team with WWF country offices and multilateral finance teams to conceptualize and draft bilateral and multilateral funding proposals with a focus on improved natural resource governance.
• Support the Senior Director for Forest and Climate in strategic planning to advance the team’s goals.
• Co-develop portfolios of conservation and sustainable management interventions (e.g., projects and programs to improve land security, uptake of best management practices for forests and agriculture, and market-based incentives for responsible production) that appeal to diverse stakeholders and align with landscape and jurisdictional sustainability goals.
• Work closely with WWF country teams and their counterparts (e.g., in government, civil society, academia) to develop options to improve local to national policies and programs to address the drivers of deforestation and degradation and to support increased ambition and performance against NDCs in the forest and land sector.
• Provide technical support to WWF country teams regarding strategic policies and goals as they relate to forest governance, sustainable (deforestation free) supply chains and nature-based solutions.
• Develop white papers, case studies and related materials regarding both failed and successful policy interventions to tackle deforestation to support the team’s efforts related to communications, knowledge sharing and capacity building.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Liaise with WWF teams leading on corporate sustainability and business/procurement to help catalyze place-based partnerships (e.g., through funding, sourcing agreements, extension services, data sharing and mapping) to reduce deforestation.

• Familiarity with international forest and climate policy space (e.g., UNFCCC, SDGs, etc.).
• Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals.
• Excellent written and spoken communications skills in English are required.
• Welcomes other points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement.
• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration
• Experience working in and with developing country governments on forest and land sector and/or climate policies.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary/multicultural environment.
• Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree preferred in Political Sciences, Environmental Economics, Public Administration, Rural Development or any other relevant field.
• Basic relevant knowledge of forest ecology, physiology, forest management, conservation or relevant policy.
• Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, owning mistakes, and holding oneself accountable.
• Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult, or unpopular.
• Excellent knowledge of policies relevant to tackle deforestation and forest degradation as they pertain to the developing world.
• Basic capacity for understanding of geospatial data.
• High capacity for knowledge acquisition and synthesis, particularly incorporating technical inputs into policy design.
• Fluent in at least one additional language is preferred, ideally in Spanish or French for interaction with our country field programs.
• Must be able to travel internationally (20% of the time likely).
• Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
• Must have a minimum of 6 years of relevant working experience specifically related to national/subnational public policy design, implementation and/or management as it pertains to the forest and/or land sector. An advanced degree may substitute for 2 years of work experience.
• Excellent critical thinking skills and drive for tackling complex problems.

WWF is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and requires all US-based staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. WWF will consider requests for accommodation from the vaccine requirement based on disability, medical contraindication, sincerely held religious belief, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

To Apply

• Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page, Requisition #23004
• 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.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a Senior Communications Specialist, Government Affairs & Advocacy.

Major Function

The communications specialist will create and adapt content and outreach materials to advance WWF’s public policy priorities, develop and implement proactive engagement with US government officials, in coordination with the Market & Communications division and other teams across the organization. The individual will work within the Policy and Government Affairs team to identify communications priorities working as part of a dynamic and transparent team environment and in close collaboration with relevant WWF substance experts from across the organization. The individual will be responsible for positively promoting WWF’s brand and reputation with a USG government audience. As needed, the communications specialist will develop communications aimed for an internal WWF audience.

• Actively promotes coordination, collaboration, and information sharing within and across teams to maximize results across WWF’s full set of priority issues and ensure its capacities and expertise are deployed efficiently and effectively in pursuit of the organization’s objectives.
• Under the guidance of the SVP for policy and government affairs team, and in close coordination with the Senior Director for Policy, the Director for Policy and the Senior Director for Partnerships, as appropriate, drafts materials including fact sheets, briefing documents, letters, website content, and other strategic communications materials.
• Cultivates and maintains strong relationships with teams across the organization, ensuring internal WWF audiences are informed about ongoing public policy priorities and initiatives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Coordinates and engages with the Marketing & Communications division to create policy-driven content for the WWF’s communications channels and for external channels and audiences as needed, including WWF’s website and social media channels.
• Supports WWF’s policy engagement work with the US government and multilateral agencies. Identifies messages, audiences, and other key communications elements, including key activities, deliverables, and timetables.

• Ability to set priorities, manage several tasks and priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, and work well both independently and in a team environment.
• Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals.
• Familiarity with Microsoft office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including effective public speaking and the ability to communicate complex issues both verbally and in written form.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with all constituents.
• Welcomes other points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement.
• Strong existing working relationships preferred, including with relevant coalition players and Congressional, including Committee, and Executive branch staff.
• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration
• A Bachelor’s degree with 6 to 8 years of experience in communications, political science, conservation, policy, or advocacy.
• Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult, or unpopular.
• Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
• Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, owning mistakes, and holding oneself accountable.
• Excellent organizational skills and commitment to drive toward results.

Please Note

• We are looking to fill this position as quickly as possible; applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received
• Given the responsibilities of this position, the selected candidate would need to be based in the DC area

WWF is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and requires all US-based staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. WWF will consider requests for accommodation from the vaccine requirement based on disability, medical contraindication, sincerely held religious belief, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

To Apply

• Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone
• Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page, Requisition #23054

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.

<