WWF-US Job Opening: Director, Freshwater Program

Job Title:

Director, Freshwater Program, WWF-US - 12125

Job Type:

Full-Time

Location:

Washington, DC

Job Description:

I. Major Functions:

The Director, WWF Freshwater Program provides freshwater conservation leadership and expertise to WWF internally, across the WWF Network, and with important external partners and institutions. Develops WWF-US’ freshwater strategy in collaboration with other key WWF departments. Supports the implementation of the freshwater strategy to achieve significant and measurable results in WWF priority places and river basins. Delivers a strong and diversified portfolio of partnerships and alliances with key public and private sector actors aimed at valuing and conserving freshwater systems and biodiversity. Program management responsibilities include strategy development and oversight, communications and representation, priority setting, fundraising, overseeing program implementation, and managing staff and budgets. The ideal candidate will be an effective leader in international freshwater conservation with experience implementing complex programs and working collaboratively to achieve conservation outcomes.

II. Major Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Develops WWF-US’ freshwater strategy in collaboration with other key WWF departments including Conservation Science, Market Transformation, Climate, and Business and Industry, as well as with the WWF Global Freshwater Program. Supports the implementation of the freshwater strategy to achieve significant and measurable results in WWF priority places and river basins.

2. Delivers a strong and diversified portfolio of partnerships and alliances with key public sector actors, corporations, other NGOs, and academic institutions aimed at valuing and conserving freshwater systems and biodiversity. In particular, works in close coordination with the Business and Industry Program to develop and implement new private sector partnerships for freshwater conservation, linking them to priority river basins through wider basin-level engagement and support and through water stewardship activities. Oversees implementation of the freshwater conservation work of the WWF/TCCC partnership as well as other existing and emerging corporate partnerships.

3. Engages policymakers and institutions in building public awareness and commitment, acting as an authoritative spokesperson on freshwater issues both domestically and internationally. Serves as a WWF champion for freshwater conservation in the US and globally, as appropriate.

4. Contributes to the development of new and creative research, analysis, and solutions that leverage WWF’s place-based efforts, science, and policy expertise to advance freshwater conservation and position WWF-US as a thought leader in this space.

5. Collaborates with the WWF Development team and others to build and implement a fundraising plan to underpin the strategy.

6. Directly supervises staff of the Freshwater Conservation Program and manages consultants and/or external experts.

7. Provides leadership in the development and implementation of the WWF-Network Global Freshwater program and serves as the main liaison to WWF International’s freshwater team. Engages partners within the Network to integrate efforts and take full advantage of WWF network resources.

8. Contributes to internal learning and knowledge management by routinely and consistently sharing lessons learned and models of change. Works with other Network efforts in the development of a freshwater conservation program that is forward looking and transformative.

9. Drives thinking on freshwater conservation by establishing and maintaining regular contact with existing and prospective partners, organizations and other institutions, interacting with other NGOs, experts in the field, consultants, government and multi-lateral and bi-lateral staff, and participating in forums, workshops and conferences on behalf of WWF.

III. Supervisory Responsibility: Supervises staff, interns, and consultants

IV. Working Relationships: WWF-US Field Program, WWF Network freshwater colleagues. Representatives of corporations, NGOs, bilateral, federal and state agencies, other conservation organizations, universities, and representatives of foreign governments and other institutions.

V. Minimum Work Requirements:

• 15+ years work experience in a relevant nonprofit, public or private sector organization
• Master's degree in a related field
• At least 10 years of program management experience; implementing freshwater conservation programs, and managing budgets. Experience in water resource management.
• Experience developing and implementing strategies to influence international institutions, demonstrated experience building and maintaining effective relationships with external stakeholders (specifically, ability to engage internationally with US-based aid institutions, such as USAID, World Bank, GEF)

Skills & Abilities:

• Broad-based familiarity with current global thinking and knowledge regarding freshwater conservation issues, including market-based and policy approaches
• Excellent organizational skills with an emphasis on program and project management
• Experience in matrix management and the ability to build and sustain a high performing and collaborative team across a diverse network
• Experience leading research and analysis efforts
• Demonstrated success at raising funds
• High-level of interpersonal skills, especially relationship management skills and the ability to work as part of an international team

Please submit your cover letter and resume for this position by June 27, 2012.

AA/EOE Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. To apply for the job please visit http://www.worldwildlife.org/careers, job #12125, and submit cover letter and resume. Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone.