Senior Specialist, Forest Conservation
Overview
Reporting to the VP Wildlife and Industry, the Senior Specialist- Forest Conservation, will provide guidance and advance priorities to reduce forestry threats to wildlife habitat and climate stability in line with WWF-Canada’s strategic plan. This role will support forest conservation consistent with collaborative conservation approaches and restoration and protection initiatives led by First Nations and Métis communities as well as other local communities. This role will also build relationships with partners in WWF-Canada’s priority regions and influence WWF-Canada’s national and provincial regulatory and policy agenda to avoid destruction and conversion of forest and related ecosystems holding habitat and carbon.
Responsibilities
- Advance priorities and provide strategic guidance to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and strengthen and secure carbon stored in Canada’s forest ecosystems.
- Facilitate internal and external engagement for initiatives and working partnerships related to forest conservation in WWF priority regions such as the Lower Fraser Watershed, B.C. Central Interior, The Wolastoq (Saint John River) Watershed, northern Ontario, and the southern Ontario-Quebec corridor.
- Collaborate with First Nations and Métis communities to ensure all WWF-Canada efforts support their priorities and rights and are consistent with Indigenous knowledge and governance structures.
- Maintain critical knowledge of terrestrial conservation, the restoration and maintenance of complex forest ecosystems, and the forestry sector in Canada including impacts of forestry on ecosystems and communities and remain aware of best practices to sustain the well-being of both.
- Liaise with the WWF-International Network on the Forest Forward initiative, forestry certification schemes and standards, and with industry and corporate interests to implement best practices around nature-based solutions.
- Contribute expertise across conservation teams and to conservation support activities such as fundraising.
Qualifications
- Strong knowledge of collaborative conservation approaches and the complexities of building and maintaining positive working relationships.
- 6+ years of relevant professional experience or related advanced education with 4+ years of relevant professional experience.
- Proven skills in strategic partnership building and planning and a track record of achieving results-based measurable outcomes.
- Ability to build respectful and trusting partnerships and relationships with external organizations by understanding their priorities and positions.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to handle multiple work streams.
- Strong problem-solving, conflict-resolution, creative, and strategic thinking capabilities coupled with an outcome, delivery-oriented approach.
- Excellent organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Good understanding of WWF-Canada’s mission and objectives to Regenerate Canada, and a demonstrated passionate commitment to its success in accomplishing them.
- Indigenous language skills are an asset. In particular, Secwepemctsin, Michif, Moose Cree, Swampy Cree, Anishinaabemowin/Ojibwe, Maliseet-Passamaquoddy, or languages from the Iroquoian family.
- French language skills are an asset.
Other Information
This role may require safe travel. Safe travel will be determined by following International, Federal, Territorial, and Provincial requirements and following consultation with local and Indigenous communities where applicable.
This position can work from any WWF-Canada office.
Deadline to Apply
If you are interested in applying for this exciting opportunity, please click Apply, and ensure that your application is received on or before April 4 2023 at 5pm EST.
This role may require safe travel. Safe travel will be determined by following International, Federal, Territorial, and Provincial requirements and following consultation with local and Indigenous communities where applicable.
Commitment to Diversity and Accessibility
Our vision is a Canada with abundant wildlife where nature and people thrive and we value and rely on diversity of thought, knowledge, expertise, and lived experience to help bring our vision to life.
We recognize that experience comes in many forms and skills are transferable. If you feel that your unique experiences can enhance our vision, we encourage you to apply – even if you don’t meet 100% of the requirements.
We encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
We are committed to a barrier-free and equitable recruitment & selection process. If you are contacted in relation an opportunity to join our team and require an accommodation at any point in the process, please advise the recruiter of your specific needs. We commit to managing these requests in a confidential manner.
