Expert, Global Policy & Advocacy - WWF International

Location: Nairobi (Kenya), Zeist(NL), Woking (UK), or Vienna (Austria)Want to make a positive difference to the future of people and our one shared home, the Earth? Working at WWF could be your opportunity of a lifetime.

All around the world, people are waking up to the deepening crisis of nature loss. A growing realisation that nature is our life-support system. And that nobody will be spared from the impacts of its loss. Here at WWF, we are helping to tackle this enormous global challenge. Our people come from hugely diverse backgrounds and with a variety of expertise, ranging from HR and finance to advocacy and conservation science. We welcome applications from anyone who believes they can help us create a better future for people and wildlife.

What we do

We are an independent conservation organisation, striving to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and wildlife. From individuals and communities to business and government, we are part of a growing coalition calling on world leaders to set nature on the path to recovery by 2030. Together, we seek to protect and restore natural habitats, stop the mass extinction of wildlife, and make the way we produce and consume sustainable.

1. MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT
The WWF Global Conservation Division (GCD) aims to unite WWF Offices around the delivery of a common conservation strategy. It comprises the leaders, teams, and related network communities of the seven Global Practices, the Office of the Chief Conservation Officer (OCCO), Global Policy Impact (GPI), Corporate Engagement and People, Places & Governance (PPG). These departments work together in an integrated manner to encourage, inform, support, and facilitate the optimal convergence of conservation functions across the WWF Network.

WWF International’s Department for Global Policy Impact (GPI) supports WWF’s mission by leading and coordinating the Network. It seeks to influence and shape conservation policy efforts at global, regional, and local levels critical to biodiversity conservation and successful climate regulation. Led by a Global Director, the Global Policy Impact Department builds on existing WWF assets to drive a powerful WWF policy focus both on the global stage and within national and regional contexts.

The GPI helps deliver WWF’s mission by leading and coordinating the Network as it seeks to influence, shape, and drive the implementation of the myriad policies at global, regional, and local levels that are critical to biodiversity conservation and successful climate regulation. It takes the lead in advocacy, campaigning, and deal-making. It works closely with other GCD Departments and units to drive relationship-building, learning, knowledge management, capacity building and developing bankable funding proposals at scale.

2. MAJOR FUNCTIONS
WWF is seeking to recruit an Expert, Global Policy and Advocacy, to delivery national and global advocacy outcomes of the newly launched project on Accelerating implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework through a Community Led Conservation (from here on known as the GBF Project) with a focus on influencing NBSAPs and Resource Mobilisation.

The Expert, Global Policy and Advocacy, will direct the implementation of relevant parts of the GBF Project which aims to put Community-Led Conservation (CLC) at the heart of GBF Implementation in five mega-biodiverse countries (Papua New Guinea, Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Tunisia, and Vietnam). The project will leverage WWF's expertise and convening power to drive national, regional and global progress in implementing the GBF while ensuring inclusivity and human rights principles are at the forefront of conservation and policy efforts.

Project implementation will be led by five WWF country offices, and the Expert, Global Policy and Advocacy, will work closely with the five countries and drive their engagement with key national, regional and global actors, including national governments and civil society organisations to influence government decisions related to their GBF resource mobilisation, their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and their National Biodiversity Finance Plans (NBFPs). The position will also focus on strategically promoting the role of indigenous peoples and local communities in NBSAP processes, using the five country projects as best practice examples.

As part of the Global Policy and Advocacy Team, the Expert, Global Policy and Advocacy, is responsible for linking the national efforts influencing NBSAPs with global processes and multilateral fora, including the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. The position will have overall responsibility for the successful implementation and conclusion of GPAT’s parts of the GBF project by providing thought leadership, technical expertise, risk management, strategic guidance, administrative oversight, reporting, and monitoring and evaluation.

The successful candidate reports to the Head, Global Advocacy and will be part of a multidisciplinary team, working closely with other WWF staff, especially the Public Sector Partnership (PSP) Team, local offices and external partners as well as the Global Resource Mobilisation Team. They will also work closely with the in-country and project-wide Project Managers of the GBF Project to ensure a coherent approach and effective reporting. The candidate should be a highly motivated self-starter with experience in national lobbying and international advocacy with a genuine interest in working for a sustainable and fair future.

CONTRACT TYPE: Fixed term, maximum 3 years

3. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Advocacy guidance for project country teams (40%)

Lead and support the five project countries in designing, implementing, and reviewing advocacy strategies to influence National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and National Biodiversity Finance Plans (NBFPs) with a focus on resource mobilisation and community-led conservation (CLC). Develop and implement WWF strategies for engagement with policy makers within identified negotiation processes and international fora. Provide technical input and guidance to support national NBSAP and NBFP processes to reflect CLC (in close collaboration with PSP team). Advise on tools and tactics to promote greater funding for CLC and to support the role of indigenous peoples and local communities in conservation. Provide insights and analyses to link global NBSAP process with national NBSAPs. Lead and coordinate advocacy of WWF policy and positions into priority fora to engage coherently and strategically with decision-makers. Build and maintain constructive relationships with policy makers and identify momentum and sticking points in the context of identified priorities. If applicable, support design for sub-regional advocacy strategy on CLC and NBSAPs

Linking national and global NBSAP advocacy (30%) Amplifying national and regional advocacy at global fora.Ensure effective and coherent planning and implementation, and connect the delivery teams for additional support, resources, and experts, as needed.Enable input from a CLC perspective to WWF positions, events and strategies.Provide assistance for outreach on CLC & NBSAPs at COPs, including hosting side events, producing briefings, identifying speaking opportunities, press briefings, etc. as appropriate.Provide links to global alliances and partnerships that can benefit national influencing on CLC.
Project manage global GBF resource mobilisation advocacy (30%) Project manage the implementation of GPAT-led parts of WWF’s GBF resource mobilisation strategy.Provide guidance and coordination on resource mobilisation for CLC at national level (starting with 20 billion campaign).Oversee production of relevant publications and other advocacy tools.Supports budget management.Other activities as requested by the Head, Global Advocacy 4. PROFILE
Required Qualifications. Significant experience in national and global advocacy, preferably on biodiversity and/or resource mobilisation.Several years’ experience working for an international organisation, preferably in political advocacy.Demonstrated success in delivering advocacy objectives.Good understanding of community-led conservation or similar conservation approaches that put the rights and needs of indigenous peoples and local communities at the centre.Strong awareness of global political issues, trends and developments.Strong internal and external networking skills.Ability to adapt to varied audiences from academia to grassroots civil society, and governments to UN agencies.Academic qualifications in relevant disciplines (e.g., biodiversity, sustainable finance; environmental economics, International Development studies) would be an advantage.Strong interpersonal and communications skills.
Required Skills and Competencies. Demonstrated experience in managing, designing, implementing, multiyear and multi-country advocacy projects.Excellent project management and networking skills.Critical and strategic thinking with results focus.Strong sense for strategic prioritisation and ability to drive several projects simultaneously.Proven conservation and development experience and knowledge while working within a large matrix international organization.Proven track record of successfully managing internal and external multi-cultural stakeholder processes.Excellent negotiation, facilitation and influencing skills with an ability to communicate across a broad spectrum of partners (government representatives, grassroots, public figures, CSOs etc., and staff).Strong team player, able to work on their own initiative and be responsive and flexible to the constantly changing environment.Good knowledge of recent trends, developments, and challenges in the Global Biodiversity Framework, IP&LCs issues and its implementationProficient in using Microsoft office 365 and video conferencing systems (e.g. zoom).Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and the ability to communicate cross-culturally and across diverse teams. Working knowledge of French is an advantage.Willingness to travel and work across different time zones.Demonstrates WWF behaviours in way of working: Strive for Impact, Listen Deeply, Collaborate Openly, Innovate Fearlessly.Embraces the WWF mission and values of the organization: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration. 5. WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Internal. The candidate will work as part of the Global Policy and Advocacy Team (GPAT) and in close collaboration with other global teams, especially the Public Sector Partnership (PSP) Team.They will also have regular and close exchanges with staff in project countries and other country and regional offices.
External. The candidate will engage externally with national governments and global and regional intergovernmental bodies and processes.They will also work with external partners, CSO alliances and other allies at both national and global level.