Director, WWF Arctic Programme

WWF, the global conservation organization, 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 Arctic Programme is a large programme comprising of many WWF Arctic and non-Arctic national offices which collaborate to achieve conservation and sustainable development results for the Arctic. Although each of the Arctic national offices have a nationally focused Arctic programme, this joint and collaborative approach is key to WWF’s success in the Arctic. 

 

The WWF Arctic Programme’s Steering Committee is the governing body for the WWF Arctic Programme, guiding the strategic direction of the programme. The WWF Arctic Programme office is located in WWF-Canada’s Ottawa office and members of the programme Coordinating Team are based and employed in various WWF national offices, including WWF-Canada.

 

The Director, WWF Arctic Programme leads WWF regional Arctic program, harmonizing and integrating as appropriate national efforts in 7 of the 8 Arctic Nations where WWF has offices. The Director is responsible for maintaining an overall strategic vision and plan for the WWF Arctic Programme, and has an integral role in the development and implementation of WWF’s Arctic goals and strategies. The Director brings their team skills to facilitate and inspire the genuine engagement and commitment of WWF offices involved in the Arctic. 

 

The Director also leads a small Coordinating Team of senior specialists who provide technical and policy input and facilitate cooperation, joint strategizing, and implementation of the Arctic goals and strategies among Arctic and non-Arctic national offices.

 

The Director works with the Steering Committee and guides the WWF Arctic Programme Coordinating Team to support delivery of the WWF Arctic Strategic Plan and Arctic goals and thus ensures a joint and common conservation approach for the Arctic within the WWF Arctic Programme.

 

The ideal candidate will have a strong international leadership record, demonstrated ability to work in a networked, collaborative environment, experience in managing a geographically dispersed team of professionals, and a successful track record of achieving top results. 

 

 

Programme Delivery:

• Facilitate the WWF Network, especially the Arctic offices, in delivering a coordinated and aligned programme and policy that delivers conservation impact at scale in the Arctic. 

• Develop and oversee the implementation and delivery of the Arctic Programme annual workplan

• Ensure the appropriate use of funds, and oversee the preparation of financial reports for WWF-Canada, the Steering Committee, and donors.

• Effectively monitors the implementation of the WWF Arctic Strategic Plan to ensure delivery and adaptive management, provide for the timely submission of reports and evaluations and audits (as required), and facilitate the exchange of lessons learned.
 

Leadership:

• Communicate the urgency of Arctic conservation with diverse audiences in a compelling way.

• Represent WWF among various international bodies and in building relationships with external partners.

• Provide strategic advice to senior management of WWF National Offices.  
 

External Relations

• Develop and strengthen relationships and strategic partnerships with key external stakeholders, with a focus on the international policy and coordination arena, having frequent contacts with governments, Indigenous Peoples’ organisations, inter-governmental organisations, academia, NGOs and the corporate sector.

• Initiate, facilitate, and support targeted policy and advocacy work with external stakeholders, in close coordination with the WWF Arctic Steering Committee and the WWF Network.
 

Fundraising

• Work with National Offices to identify internal and external fundraising opportunities in support of the implementation of the Arctic Programme strategy, and support Network engagement with donors.

• Ensure the Coordinating Team is available to collaborate with National Offices, and contribute to, funding proposals in support of the Arctic strategy.

 

WWF Arctic Programme Steering Committee

• Ensure close and regular coordination with the WWF Arctic Programme Steering Committee, and support the Steering Committee Chair.

• Act as Secretary to the Steering Committee, setting up meetings and ensuring minutes are recorded.

• Work collaboratively with Steering Committee members to ensure the effective use and compliance of the Programme Implementation Agreement, including in relation to the Host Office.

• Perform other duties as requested by the Steering Committee and its Chair.

 

• Demonstrated successful international leadership and impact

• Ability to thrive in a collaborative setting where leadership and authority are distributed.

• Demonstrated management skills and in leading teams to achieve. 

• Post-graduate degree in natural sciences, environmental management and policy, law, international relations, or related field.

• 10-15 years progressively senior professional work experience in research, conservation, policy, environment, sustainable development or other related fields.

• Proven experience in developing and leading the implementation of large, multi-disciplinary science and policy based programmes.

• Excellent command of the English language, other Arctic language is an asset.

• A proactive, self-motivating leader, who works with and within the team but demonstrates autonomy and is not shy to ask for information or advice.

• A proven track record of leading and working successfully in network organisations, and with geographically dispersed multicultural teams.

• Demonstrated ability in effective decision-making and in successfully handling multiple, time critical tasks.

• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and proven experience in policy and advocacy work.

• Strong analytical, organization and communication skills.

• Demonstrated experience in building relations and partnerships with various stakeholders.

• Experience in working with Indigenous Peoples organisations is an asset.

• Familiarity with Arctic issues, understanding of the Arctic circumpolar environment, sustainable development and policy.

• Familiarity with Arctic regional and other relevant intergovernmental bodies and processes.

• Passionately committed to the mission and objectives of WWF and to its success.

 

This is a 3-year contract position that will require international travel as part of the role. This role will preferably be based out of our Ottawa office, but other locations may be considered for an ideal candidate.

 

If you are interested in applying for this exciting opportunity, you may submit your application: 

 

Online 

Click HERE to submit your cover letter and resume (as one document) 

 

OR

 

You may choose to submit your application and your responses to the questions below via direct mail to:

 

Attn: Human Resources Department 

410 Adelaide St. West

Toronto, ON

M5V 1S8

 

1. Apart from its mission, what makes WWF-Canada an employer of choice?

2. Are you legally eligible to work in Canada?

3. What are your salary expectations?

4. How flexible are your salary expectations?

5. When are you available to start?

6. Where did you see this job posting?

 

Please ensure that your application is received on or before May 20, 2018, 5pm EST. 

 

WWF-Canada is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome diversity in the workplace and encourage applications from all qualified candidates including women, members of visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and aboriginal peoples.

 

WWF-Canada is also committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to a job opportunity, please advise the Human Resources Representative in a timely fashion of any accommodation measures which must be taken to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

 

We thank all applicants for their interest in joining WWF-Canada.  Given the volume of applications received, we request that you do not follow up your application with a phone call.  We will contact only those candidates selected for interviews and thank you for your understanding.