Chief of Party

Job Posting Organization:
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) was founded in 1961 and has since become a leading global conservation organization. With a mission to help people and nature thrive, WWF operates in over 100 countries worldwide. The organization partners with communities, companies, and governments to protect wildlife, conserve vital habitats, and advance sustainable solutions. WWF is grounded in scientific research and driven by collaboration, focusing on conserving biodiversity, supporting resilient communities, and addressing climate change. The organization boasts nearly 1 million members in the United States and over 5 million globally, reflecting its extensive reach and commitment to environmental conservation.

Job Overview:
The Chief of Party (COP) position at WWF is a critical leadership role responsible for the strategic, technical, and operational management of a five-year U.S. Department of State cooperative agreement aimed at reducing Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Pacific. The COP will lead efforts to enhance the capabilities of Pacific Island countries in monitoring and responding to IUU fishing activities within their exclusive economic zones. This role involves deploying advanced U.S. technologies for communications, surveillance, and maritime domain awareness. The COP will ensure effective project delivery, manage staff and consultants, coordinate with various partners, and maintain compliance with project requirements. The position requires a strong focus on collaboration with the U.S. Department of State, regional fisheries agencies, and local ministries to achieve sustainable outcomes in fisheries management.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Chief of Party will have a wide range of responsibilities, including:

• Program Leadership: Overseeing the overall implementation of the project, ensuring quality, compliance, and timely results. This includes managing work planning, budgeting, staffing, and adaptive management processes.
• Technical Leadership: Leading technical assessments to identify the needs of Pacific Island countries in combating IUU fishing, including evaluating existing communication systems and technology gaps.
• Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement: Acting as the primary representative for the project, building relationships with government counterparts, regional organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Team Management: Supervising and mentoring project staff, ensuring clear roles and collaborative culture.
• Financial and Compliance Oversight: Ensuring compliance with cooperative agreement requirements and managing financial processes.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Overseeing the implementation of monitoring and evaluation plans, ensuring timely submission of donor reports, and adapting work plans based on feedback and learning.
• Additional Responsibilities: Serving as a thought partner on maritime security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security and IUU fishing, and performing other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in marine policy, fisheries management, environmental science, international development, public policy, technology deployment, business administration, or a related field. They should have at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in leading complex international programs, particularly those funded by the U.S. government. Experience managing grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts from the Department of State or USAID is essential, along with a proven ability to manage large, multi-partner projects independently. Strong project management skills, including familiarity with tools and systems for tracking deliverables and budgets, are required. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are necessary for preparing high-quality reports and presentations.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as marine policy, fisheries management, environmental science, international development, public policy, technology deployment, or business administration is required. Advanced degrees may be preferred but are not explicitly stated as necessary.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience, particularly in managing complex international programs. Candidates should have substantial experience with U.S. government-funded projects, demonstrating the ability to lead and manage multi-year, multi-partner initiatives effectively. Experience working in politically sensitive environments and with government ministries and regional organizations is highly valued.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as the role requires excellent communication skills for reporting and stakeholder engagement. Additional language skills relevant to the Pacific region may be considered beneficial but are not specified as mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The anticipated start date for this position is late September 2026, subject to funder approval. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S., as this position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. Relocation may be considered for the right candidate. WWF promotes equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals, regardless of various characteristics protected under applicable law.