Senior Program Officer, SBTN Oceans Hub & Nature Positive Business

Overview

Title:                                  SPO, SBTN Oceans Hub & Nature Positive Business

Job Family/Level:            SPO

Reports to:                       Ocean Markets Manager

FLSA Status:                     Limited Term- 2 year position

Date:                                  May 2022

Overview

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a SPO, SBTN Oceans Hub & Nature Positive Business, as part of its US Oceans team.

WWF is partnering with the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) to engage industries directly (e.g. the seafood sector) in reducing their contribution to ocean degradation while providing an opportunity to implement sustainable practices with far-reaching environmental benefits. The SPO will oversee WWF’s contributions as a co-leading organization of the SBTN’s Ocean Hub, focused particularly on the launch of the Ocean Hub’s Seafood Value Chains workstream, which aims to provide guidance and develop methodology for private sector companies to set science-based targets related to their supply chains. The SPO will serve as project manager for the SBTN Oceans Hub development primarily the seafood workstream but also in support of the development and management of the broader SBTN Oceans Hub. The SPO will work to ensure alignment of the SBTN Oceans Hub with the WWF’s Nature Positive Business platform to seek synergies in content and alignment.

Key Responsibilities

• Leads project management, coordination, communication, research and analysis, and implementation for the SBTN Oceans Hub.
• Manages the project’s Technical Lead and provides progress reporting to WWF technical advisors under the SBTN Ocean Hub partnership.
• Represents WWF as the project co-lead when participating in SBTN working and engagement groups.
• Monitors and analyzes new technical information, policies, tools, and global trends related to science-based target approaches; documents learning from projects to synthesize available and emerging science for the Seafood Value Chain workstream to quickly progress toward an appropriate methodology.
• Support project management and development of the Nature Positive Business platform in alignment with the SBTN Oceans Hub.
• Facilitates the development of fundraising proposals to support the program, and prepares and/or finalizes scopes of work, budgets, and administrative information for contracts and to ensure compliance with donor requirements.
• Works directly with program and project staff to facilitate coordination and alignment for existing projects and new initiatives.
• Builds and maintains an extensive network of relationships with key stakeholders, including local communities, governments, NGOs, the private sector, and other ocean-community leaders and academics.
• Travels to project field locations and field offices as necessary, providing relevant technical research and workshop planning and logistical support.
• Interacts daily with other program staff and departments to advise and coordinate project activities or to obtain and disseminate information.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 6 to 8 years professional experience or 3 to 5 years with an advanced degree in natural resource management, conservation, or landscape or regional planning.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are required, including effective public speaking and the ability to communicate complex issues both verbally and in written form.
• Strong project management skills and history of managing complex projects successfully.
• Background in Ocean conservation ideal but not required.Ability to effectively prioritize and produce high-quality work under time constraints.
• Excellent organizational and project leadership skills.
• Proven ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a matrixed team environment.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Ability to operate with independence, under pressure, and to meet deadlines and commitments.
• Excellent interpersonal skills requiring knowing when to use courtesy, tact and/or diplomacy to effectively communicate with all constituents.
• Ability to set priorities, manage a multitude of details simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, and work effectively solo and in a team environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of fundraising, budgeting, and monitoring donor compliance.
• Familiarity with Microsoft office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), with experience of other collaborative platforms a plus.
• Additional language skills (Spanish/French) preferred.
• Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration:
  • Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult, or unpopular
  • Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, owning mistakes, and holding oneself accountable.
  • Welcomes other points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement.
  • Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals.

Responsibilities

• Leads project management, coordination, communication, research and analysis, and implementation for the SBTN Oceans Hub.
• Manages the project’s Technical Lead and provides progress reporting to WWF technical advisors under the SBTN Ocean Hub partnership.
• Represents WWF as the project co-lead when participating in SBTN working and engagement groups.
• Monitors and analyzes new technical information, policies, tools, and global trends related to science-based target approaches; documents learning from projects to synthesize available and emerging science for the Seafood Value Chain workstream to quickly progress toward an appropriate methodology.
• Support project management and development of the Nature Positive Business platform in alignment with the SBTN Oceans Hub.
• Facilitates the development of fundraising proposals to support the program, and prepares and/or finalizes scopes of work, budgets, and administrative information for contracts and to ensure compliance with donor requirements.
• Works directly with program and project staff to facilitate coordination and alignment for existing projects and new initiatives.
• Builds and maintains an extensive network of relationships with key stakeholders, including local communities, governments, NGOs, the private sector, and other ocean-community leaders and academics.
• Travels to project field locations and field offices as necessary, providing relevant technical research and workshop planning and logistical support.
• Interacts daily with other program staff and departments to advise and coordinate project activities or to obtain and disseminate information.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 6 to 8 years professional experience or 3 to 5 years with an advanced degree in natural resource management, conservation, or landscape or regional planning.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are required, including effective public speaking and the ability to communicate complex issues both verbally and in written form.
• Strong project management skills and history of managing complex projects successfully.
• Background in Ocean conservation ideal but not required.Ability to effectively prioritize and produce high-quality work under time constraints.
• Excellent organizational and project leadership skills.
• Proven ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a matrixed team environment.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Ability to operate with independence, under pressure, and to meet deadlines and commitments.
• Excellent interpersonal skills requiring knowing when to use courtesy, tact and/or diplomacy to effectively communicate with all constituents.
• Ability to set priorities, manage a multitude of details simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, and work effectively solo and in a team environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of fundraising, budgeting, and monitoring donor compliance.
• Familiarity with Microsoft office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), with experience of other collaborative platforms a plus.
• Additional language skills (Spanish/French) preferred.
• Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration:
  • Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult, or unpopular
  • Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, owning mistakes, and holding oneself accountable.
  • Welcomes other points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement.
  • Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals.

WWF is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and requires all US-based staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.  WWF will consider requests for accommodation from the vaccine requirement based on disability, medical contraindication, sincerely held religious belief, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

To Apply:

• Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page**,  Requisition #23035**
• Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone

As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status. WWF values diversity and inclusion and welcomes diverse candidates to apply.