WWF-CEE IS LOOKING FOR: Regional Forest Lead

WWF-CEE is looking for: Regional forest lead

Full-time, permanent position
Location: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia or Ukraine

This is us:

WWF is the world's largest conservation organization, founded in 1961. We’re active in over 100 countries and have over 8000 employees.

WWF-Central and Eastern Europe is responsible for leading and to a significant extent implementing WWF’s efforts to reserve, restore and sustainably manage the natural values of the Danube Carpathian ecoregion, which we also call the Green Heart of Europe. With a team of over 230 highly specialised professionals, we are working across political borders through an ecoregional approach based on model projects, influencing policy, networking, capacity building, communication and crisis response.

This is you:

Context: Sustainable forest management and conservation is among the cornerstones of WWF-CEE’s programme in the region. In order to secure and upscale our achievements, we are increasingly taking on a more integrated perspective, viewing forestry as part of the sustainable development agenda of a landscape and advocating for financing models that provide incentives for forest-dependent communities and businesses to support the conservation cause.

The role: We are looking for an experienced and motivated strategic thinker to join WWF-CEE as Regional Forest Lead – an essential role for contributing to the WWF mission in general and to the regional strategic objectives through engaging in the preparation and implementation of multi-country, integrated projects and advocacy work related to sustainable forest landscape management and financing across the region. The job holder represents WWF-CEE on issues related to forest conservation, climate change adaptation, sustainable management and landscape finance, both within the global WWF network and externally, and develops partnerships.

Key responsibilities:

Strategy and Work plan Development

Development and implementation of components of WWF-CEE´s regional Strategic Plan related to sustainable forest landscape management and financing and support of national strategies and work plans
Development of policy documents of WWF-CEE related to sustainable forestry and contribution to policy documents of other conservation staff, where relevant

Fundraising and Project Development

Identification and coordination of development of multi-country, complex proposals to donors, working and collaborating with essential regional partners, and support of national level fundraising
Maintains relations with key donors (EU, corporate/private)

Project Management and Implementation

Supervises, leads or supports implementation of multi-country projects related to sustainable forest landscape management and related fields
Advises WWF-CEE project teams working on issues related to sustainable forestry and landscape level financing

Advocacy, Partnership Development and Networking

Represents the organization in relevant international forums such as conferences, symposiums, and governmental and community meetings to communicate and promote our work
Development and implementation of forest and landscape related advocacy strategies, including engagement with European Institutions, Members of European Parliament and other international organizations
Develops partnerships with other international Civil Society Organizations
Represents WWF interests in regional, European or international bodies such as the Carpathian Convention Working Group on Forests, technical forest related Working Groups of the European Commission
Represents WWF-CEE in WWF forums and ACAIs such as the global WWF Forest Practice, WWF EU Forest group, Forest Sector Transformation & Valuation ACAI and coordinates positioning of WWF-CEE within the WWF network on forest issues and sustainable landscape financing
Represents WWF-CEE in project management groups or project steering groups of regional or EU wide projects

Staff development and Knowledge Management

Supports WWF-CEE´s capacity building efforts related to sustainable forestry, landscape management and financing by coaching and mentoring colleagues and contributing to the design of relevant training programmes and events
Facilitates the exchange of sustainable forest landscape management knowledge both within WWF-CEE and with other WWF offices and the external expert and practitioners’ community
Facilitates on-going learning in the regional forest team, via structured knowledge-sharing and training initiatives

Research and Analysis

Monitors and analyses drivers of and trends in the regional forest sector and develops strategies for leveraging investment in sustainable forest management and conservation
Guides the development of innovative approaches in the field of integrated forest conservation and landscape management within WWF-CEE
Liaises with scientists and scientific institutions (e.g. Science for the Carpathians network, universities) and networks (e.g. Carpathian Network of Protected Areas) for knowledge transfer and partnership development

Communications

Works in close coordination with the WWF-CEE regional communication team as well as across the network to communicate issues and achievements to defined target audiences.
Coordinates the development of knowledge products showcasing results of WWF-CEE´s forest-related activities
Contributes to the development and implementation of advocacy campaigns and information campaigns

The ideal candidate would have:

MSc in forest management, sustainable development, conservation or related field
At least 7 years relevant work experience
Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of sustainable forest management and conservation as well as landscape level management and financing, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe
Understanding of related subjects is an asset such economics, climate & energy policies, management of ecological corridors, or of protected areas
Leadership and team coordination; experience in coordinating/managing/working in diverse teams
Experience in engaging with officials from government and the private sector
Strategic thinking, ambition, energy and drive, with a commitment to making a difference
Project management knowledge and experience in proposal writing
Ability to collect, analyse and transmit information in an effective manner
Ability to work in an international environment and within a multicultural team
Excellent interpersonal and team building abilities
Proficiency in MS Office
Fluency in English (written and oral) and one other language of the region (Bulgarian, Czech, Hungarian, Romanian, Slovak or Ukrainian)
Alignment and identification with the core values of WWF: Courage, Integrity, Respect and Collaboration and the relevant behaviours.

We offer:

The opportunity to make a difference – for the CEE region and for WWF
Challenging and fulfilling work in one of Europe’s most exciting eco-regions
Friendly and highly professional working atmosphere in an international context
Varying tasks and independent work style
A pleasant working atmosphere and great learning environment
A salary according to NGO standards*

* The compensation package will be aligned with local salary and benefits conditions, in line with our reward policy.

If you are passionate about sustainable forest management and want to make an impact, please submit your CV and cover letter (both in English) to the attention of Larisa Fortunescu, at hr@wwf.bg no later than 29th of April.

Please understand that we can only reply to short-listed candidates.