Director, Conservation Areas

Job Posting Organization:
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is a leading international conservation organization established in 1961, dedicated to preserving the world's biological diversity and ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable. With a mission to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth, WWF operates in over 100 countries and has a global network of more than 5 million supporters. The organization focuses on various conservation initiatives, including climate change, wildlife conservation, and sustainable development, and employs thousands of staff worldwide, working collaboratively with local communities, governments, and businesses to achieve its goals.

Job Overview:
The Director of Conservation Areas will lead efforts to enhance global area-based conservation initiatives, particularly in Latin America. This role involves coordinating awareness-raising and capacity-building activities for WWF country offices and diverse partners, including Indigenous peoples and local community organizations. The position aims to improve understanding and implementation of Area-Based Conservation (ABC) approaches, which encompass Protected Areas (PAs) and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs). The Director will foster strategic alliances with key stakeholders to promote collaborative conservation efforts and advance shared goals. This position requires identifying key landscapes, seascapes, and river basins in WWF-US priority areas, advising on ABC assessments, and developing innovative projects and grants related to ABC and OECMs. The Director will also be responsible for writing reports on project outcomes, co-developing fundraising proposals, and managing grants to support conservation projects, ensuring compliance with donor standards. Additionally, the role includes representing the Conservation Areas Team at international workshops and conferences, serving as a focal point for Protected and Conserved Areas (30x30) policy and advocacy, and providing analysis" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">technical analysis and capacity-building support during field visits to Latin America, with an expected travel commitment of 30%.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and coordinate global area-based conservation initiatives with a focus on Latin America.
• Organize awareness-raising and capacity-building activities for WWF country offices and partners, including Indigenous peoples and local communities.
• Enhance understanding and implementation of Area-Based Conservation (ABC) approaches, including Protected Areas (PAs) and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs).
• Foster strategic alliances with stakeholders to promote collaborative conservation efforts.
• Identify key landscapes, seascapes, and river basins for enhancing ABC work.
• Advise on ABC assessments and stakeholder analyses in specific areas.
• Develop innovative projects and grants related to ABC and OECMs, collaborating with project staff and consultants.
• Write reports on project outcomes and manage donor communications.
• Co-develop fundraising proposals and manage grants, ensuring compliance with donor standards. 1
• Develop Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) initiatives and support conservation planning and financial modeling. 1
• Represent WWF at international workshops and conferences. 1
• Serve as the focal point for Protected and Conserved Areas (30x30) policy and advocacy. 1
• Travel to Latin America for technical analysis and capacity-building support, assisting field offices in integrating ABC approaches.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Natural Resource Management, Environmental Management, or a related field.
• A minimum of four years of experience leading teams on policy and advocacy initiatives related to environmental policies and conservation projects at national and international levels.
• Proven experience in community-based conservation work in Latin America.
• Experience in developing and managing financial mechanisms for protected areas and OECMs projects in Latin America is essential.
• Fluency in Spanish (spoken and written) is required for effective communication with Spanish-speaking stakeholders and indigenous communities, as well as for reading and interpreting technical documents.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Natural Resource Management, Environmental Management, or a related field. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of conservation management and policy development.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of four years of relevant experience, specifically in leading teams on policy and advocacy initiatives. This experience should include developing and financing environmental policies and conservation projects at both national and international levels, particularly for large international conservation organizations. Additionally, candidates must have experience in community-based conservation work in Latin America and in managing financial mechanisms for protected areas and OECMs projects in the region.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is mandatory for this position, as it is essential for communicating with Spanish-speaking stakeholders and indigenous communities. The ability to read and interpret technical documents in Spanish is also required. Proficiency in English is likely beneficial but not explicitly stated as a requirement.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Washington, DC, and may involve international travel, particularly to Latin America, with an expected travel commitment of 30%. The role is likely to be full-time, and while specific details regarding contract duration and compensation are not provided, candidates should be prepared for a senior-level position within the organization.