Senior Specialist, Western Arctic

WWF

Over the next five years, the WWF-Canada Arctic Program will continue to focus on safeguarding iconic Arctic species (caribou, polar bears and ice-whales) and their habitats.  WWF-Canada is also embarking on exciting new program areas to demonstrate the possible sustainable fisheries as well as renewable energy projects.  WWF-Canada will work closely with communities to ensure their voices are heard in the more frequent and more complex regulatory processes that guide industrial development.

Recently, WWF-Canada has opened an office in Iqaluit and another in Inuvik to provide community centred conservation programming.  We are looking for a Senior Specialist to lead programming in the Western Canadian Arctic (Inuvialuit Settlement Region of the NWY and the Region of Nunavut).

Position Description

Reporting to the Vice President, Arctic Program, this role will help generate and build support for WWF’s conservation objectives in the Beaufort Sea and act an effective conduit for local concerns and issues to be addressed in WWF planning and communications.

Key Responsibilities

Relationship Building 

  • Develop and maintain good working relations with all key organizations, agencies and thought leaders in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR) and the Kitikmeot Region of Nunavut, in particular with the Canadian High Arctic Research Station in Cambridge Bay.  
  • Ensure a regular and two-way flow of information though meetings, phone and email contacts.  
  • Explain WWF objectives to key agencies; receives advice; identifies potential barriers or problems; negotiates solutions; and secures agreement and support. 
  • Promote WWF’s conservation interests in plans and policies developed by government and Inuit agencies. 
  • Convene meetings between other WWF staff and northern stakeholders, as necessary.

Initiate Field Projects 

  • Develop and support the implementation of community-led or community-supported field projects that support WWF’s objectives (in conjunction with community, Inuit or government partners.
  • Develop and/or participate in the development of concepts, proposals and work plans. 
  • Negotiate funding agreements with partners.  
  • Monitor and support implementation of these projects.

Conservation Planning

  • Engage in research, consultation, and technical work supporting conservation planning. 
  • Support other technical/geo-spatial projects such as trajectory modeling, scenario development, building geo databases, etc.  
  • Contribute to, and draw expertise from, the conservation planning efforts of the Global Arctic Programme.

Strategic Planning

  • Participate in the development and refinement of WWF’s strategies and tactics for achieving conservation objectives in the Arctic.  
  • Ensure that information, news and viewpoints from agencies in the region are effectively communicated to WWF team members (the Director of the Canadian Arctic program, the Canadian Arctic Team, WWF-US Alaska Field Office and the Global Arctic Programme.)

Communications

  • Ensure that WWF’s relevant positions, views and achievements are effectively and accurately communicated to key stakeholders. 
  • In consultation with communications staff, prepare written materials (blogs, fact sheets, web texts, reports) for public distribution as needed.  
  • Speak on behalf of WWF in media interviews and at meetings, conferences, workshops, etc

Management

  • Maintains a small office in Inuvik
  • Responsible for the performance management of at least one direct report

What We Are Looking For:

  • Completion of a Master degree (or equivalent) in Resource Management, combined with at least 5-8 years of relevant experience.
  • Detailed knowledge of and experience with Inuvialuit, Inuit and governmental agencies and decision making structures in the Western Arctic.
  • Previous experience providing technical support to an agency or multi-stakeholder setting, ideally related to planning resource use and conservation zones.
  • Proven ability to work collaboratively with diverse partners in project design and management.
  • Familiarity with conservation planning concepts, spatial analysis and GIS software.

Other Information

This is a full-time permanent role based in Inuvik and may require travel.

How to apply: 

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

Online 
Please submit your cover letter and resume (as one document) by visiting:  https://home.eease.com/recruit/?id=14600051

OR

Direct Mail 

Attn: Human Resources Department 
245 Eglinton Ave. Suite 410 
Toronto, ON 
M4P 3J1 

If you are submitting an application via direct mail, please include your answers to the following questions:

  1. Are you legally eligible to work in Canada?
  2. This role is based out of our Inuvik office.  Is there anything that will prevent you from working in our Inuvik office?
  3. This role will require field work which may occasionally be under difficult Arctic conditions.  Please acknowledge your understanding of this requirement.
  4. What are you annual salary expectations?
  5. How flexible are your salary expectations?
  6. Where did you hear about this position?

Deadline to Apply:  This posting will close when a suitable candidate has been identified.  Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this great opportunity!
 
Commitment to Diversity and Accessibility:  

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