WWF’s strategy harnesses the strengths of the WWF network in a shared vision, focusing on six major goals - water, wildlife, the ocean, climate and energy, forests, and food – and three key drivers of environmental problems – markets, finance and governance. Our vision is to protect and restore nature for the benefit of people and the planet in support of the sustainable development goals.
In support of this strategy WWF International is designed to unite WWF offices and its near 6,400 staff around the world. This enables WWF to build strong partnerships across the world with government, business, civil society and individuals. Together, we will deliver on WWF’s ambitious goals.
WWF Asia Pacific supports the Country Offices that are managed by WWF International, namely Greater Mekong; (Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam); Pacific; (Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands); and Mongolia.
Based in: Myanmar, Cambodia or Laos, with regular travel within the region and globally.**
Reports to: Conservation Impact Director – Asia Pacific
Dotted line reporting to: Host Country Director
As the Regional Forest Lead you will provide leadership and help guide forest conservation across the Asia Pacific Region. You will support the delivery of forest outcomes in line with WWF’s Asia Pacific 2020-2025 Strategic Plan and the wider Global Forest Practice Outcomes.
Your specific focus will be on forest habitat protection, forest landscape restoration and sustainable production of timber, rubber and other non-timber forest products. You will work with the team to reduce illegal trans-boundary timber trade in the region, which along with illegal/unsustainable logging and conversion to agricultural commodities are major drivers of habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity.
As Regional Forest Lead, your major responsibilities will be:
● Provide strategic oversight, thought leadership, technical guidance and support to Forest programmes across Asia Pacific.
● Work with Country Offices on forest related Resource Mobilisation Strategies, with a focus on key regional forest landscapes including; Dawna Tenasserim (Myanmar/ Thailand), Eastern Plains (Cambodia/Vietnam), Central Annamites (Vietnam/Laos), Mekong Flooded Forest (Cambodia), Kikori Basin (Papua New Guinea), Altai-Sayan and Amur-Heilong Ecoregions (Mongolia, Russia and China).**
● Advise and provide technical guidance towards the delivery of relevant Forest Practice outcomes and initiatives in the region.
● Manage the Regional Forest Hub in the Greater Mekong and its experts and projects.
● Provide close coordination between the Regional Forest Hub and country offices to ensure integration, alignment and leverage opportunities.
● Promote and support Country Offices and Partner organizations in the development of a regional Forest Landscape Restoration initiative, in cooperation with the wider WWF community of practice.
● Support work on Protected Areas and raise their importance in the network and with donors, providing thought leadership on science, best practice and the improvement of Key Biodiversity Areas.
● Assist Country Offices in the development and implementation of nature-based climate change adaptation projects involving the forest sector and advise on monitoring approaches and advocacy for country commitments to Convention for Biodiversity, including National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans and Nationally determined contributions (UNFCCC).
● Support, and coordinate with partners, regional Illegal timber programmes focusing on transboundary landscapes.
● Be an active member of the WWF Forest Practice, including supporting regional coordination in the practice (and with others practices in Asia Pacific), contributing to strategic planning and development of initiatives in the region.
Your qualifications and demonstrable experience will include:
● MSc in Forestry or equivalent
● At least 5 years relevant professional experience with a track record in the forest sector
● Proven experience as an effective manager working within a decentralized, multi-national network (or programme)
● Excellent knowledge of global forestry and conservation issues, policy and trends
● Experience in partnership relations management, fundraising and marketing
● Familiarity of working with governments, aid agencies, and NGOs
● Experience in sustainable forest management, forest certification, timber trade and community forest projects is desirable
● Experience of innovating, adapting and improving systems within a commercial or market related context to achieve strategic objectives
WWF International can offer you:
Contract duration: 2 year fixed term contract with possible extension
Please note the compensation package will be aligned with local salary and benefits conditions, in line with our reward policy. We offer a comprehensive deployment package for successful candidates who relocate internationally for the purpose of this role.
For more information on our work please visit:
http://forestsolutions.panda.org/about
https://wwf.panda.org/knowledge_hub/?331294/Forest-Pulse-Report-2018
How to apply:
If you have the skills and experience and are interested in leading our Regional Forest Lead role in Asia Pacific, please email your cover letter and CV in English, quoting Regional Forest Lead Asia Pacific – FIRST NAME_SURNAME’ to AsiaPacificRecruitment@wwfint.org
Deadline for applications: June 21, 2020
Thank you in advance for your interest in this position. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you have not been contacted within six weeks of the closing date, please consider your application on this occasion unsuccessful for this role.
Female and Asian national applicants are encouraged to apply for this position. Work permit restrictions may apply.
WWF is an equal opportunity employer and committed to having a diverse workforce.