Job Description:
I. Major Functions
Support WWF's effective engagement with the Government of Guyana on the implementation of its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) by contributing towards the creation of a national protected area system that helps maintain carbon emission levels low while safeguarding biodiversity, and identifying WWF's most strategic areas of intervention within the LCDS moving forward.
Contribute to the creation of the Guyana protected area system by supporting the Government of Guyana for an intensive 12-month window on the design and planning of a national system of protected areas. This high level position will work closely with the Office of the President and other major governmental actors to facilitate and guide the implementation of recently passed protected areas legislation. The position works closely with the Guianas Program Office Representative and the Guyana Country Manager and will lead a team of technical experts from within Guyana, WWFUS and other parts of the WWF network toward a common goal. The end result of this work is expected to be the declaration of protected areas which safeguard the country's pristine biodiversity and contributes to WWF's ambitious goals for Amazon conservation.
Identify the most strategic areas of WWF engagement in support of Guyana's Low Carbon Development Strategy. This position will coordinate with WWF Guianas staff and relevant offices/programs within the WWF Network (WWF Norway, WWF Netherlands, WWF US, Forest Carbon Initiative, Living Amazon Initiative and LAC) to identify those priorities, and work closely with the Guianas Program Office Representative and the Guyana Country Manager to engage the Government of Guyana to reach consensus on the areas in which WWF is best positioned to provide policy, technical and financial support in the coming years. The end result of this work will be a Guyana LCDS engagement strategy and program of work for WWF, with endorsement of the Government of Guyana and key parts of the Network.
Represent the Guianas Program to the WWF Network, WWF Donor NOs, and external GAA, non-government and private sector donors, in order to develop strategic partnerships and funding proposals to support the implementation of the new protected areas system and other strategic components of Guyana's Low Carbon Development Strategy.
Position may be continued after one year depending on needs and funding.
II. Major Duties and Responsibilities
Protected Areas
1.Lead a systematic, national conservation planning process in collaboration with local institutions to design a protected area system that meets the Government's CBD obligations, recognizes the rights of indigenous peoples, and has the support of local communities.
2.Increase the capacity of the Government, and other local counterparts, to plan, implement and monitor the system's progress in conserving key targets and supporting the livelihoods of local people. Advise government on the design and structure of a governance mechanism that supports and advances the consolidation of the PA system.
3.Identify costs and investment needs and priorities for implementation of the National Protected Area System. Oversee the development of a financial plan that may include PA trust funds, direct government contributions, payments for environmental services and other revenue streams.
4.Seek financing from government bilateral and multilateral aid agencies and programs to implement the protected areas system. Negotiate project focus and scope, preparing proposals and advances proposals through agency decision-making processes. Special attention will be put on the development of a project proposal to the GRIF -Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund, funded by the Norwegian Government, showing how a system of protected areas can advance LCDS' objectives.
5.Monitor new technical information, policy development and issues and trends related to protected areas in Guyana. Represent WWF positions and priorities, and negotiates with relevant stakeholders, including policy makers, government officials, community-based organizations and NGOs. Monitor the development of agreements, memorandum of understanding, programs and work plans with strategic partners to advance the protected area agenda.
Low Carbon Development Strategy and REDD+
6.Identify the most strategic areas of WWF engagement in support of Guyana's Low Carbon Development Strategy. Assess WWF's conservation priorities in the country in relation to the LCDS', and in coordination with other relevant programs/offices in the Network, select those in which WWF can provide greatest added value through technical, policy and/or financial support to promote environmentally sustainable low-carbon development in Guyana.
7.Update relevant offices and programs of the WWF Network (including WWF Norway, WWF Netherlands, WWF US, FCI and LAC) on progress related to LCDS and GRIF.
8.Represent WWF Guianas in broader FCI team and provides relevant inputs to FCI's policy agenda based on relevant LCDS / REDD+ issues from Guyana.
9.Represent WWF as needed in external LCDS / REDD+ events within the region, UNFCCC processes, and other relevant meetings, etc.
10.As appropriate, develop proposal(s) to the GRIF based on 7 and 8.
11.Performs other duties as requested by the Guianas Program Office Representative.
III. Working Relationships
Internal: Interacts with the WWF staff in Guyana on a daily basis, and with members of relevant technical advisory groups, the Living Amazon Network Initiative, the Forest & Climate Initiative, the LAC Secretariat, staff form other LAC countries as needed, and/or other relevant groupings as required, including technical REDD+ advisors in WWF-Norway, WWF-Netherlands and WWF-US. Co-ordinates and interacts with other WWF-US and Network staff as appropriate.
External: Interacts with in-country governmental institutions, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, the media, and donors.
IV. Supervisory Responsibilities
Responsible for the recruitment, training, deployment, supervision, and evaluation of all new WWF staff working in key protected areas and LCDS/REDD+ roles, including science, conservation finance, community outreach, etc.
V. Minimum Requirements
1.Education/Experience:
A higher degree (PhD or Masters) in protected areas, conservation, natural sciences, management, international development or a related field. Technical proficiency in the field of protected areas, conservation, natural-resource management or international development, with at least 10 years professional experience, 3-5 years of which should be in the region, with demonstrated success in managing multi-disciplinary teams.
2.Skills and Abilities:
•Strong capacity to coordinate team work
•Strong skills in projects planning, implementation and evaluation
•Strong diplomatic skills
•Proven ability to fundraise for large-scale projects
•Ability to work effectively with local communities and governments
•Strong skills in leading complex, high level multi-stakeholder processes, particularly in a policy environment
•Knowledge on the functioning and organization of protected area systems
•Experience in social participation, consultation, indigenous issues
•Proven track record on proposal writing, PA work, Trust Fund, etc.
•Strong working knowledge of forest management, LCDS, REDD+ and/or carbon finance;
•Having worked for WWF US before or now is an asset
•Good knowledge of the network of WWF
•Experience with potential multilateral and bilateral donors like GEF, WB, USAID, IDB, etc.
AA/EOE Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. To submit cover letter and resume please visit http://www.worldwildlife.org/careers, job # 12062
Apply Here
