Regional Director - East Asia

BACKGROUND

TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, works to ensure that trade in wild animals and plants is not a threat to the conservation of nature. We actively monitor and investigate wildlife trade and provide information to diverse audiences worldwide as a basis for effective conservation policies and programmes. TRAFFIC is a strategic alliance of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is an international network, organised into eight regional programmes.

The Regional Director is based at TRAFFIC’s regional hub office in Hong Kong, where TRAFFIC is legally hosted by WWF Hong Kong. Please note that this role will be hosted on an WWF employment contract on behalf of TRAFFIC. Employment terms will follow those of WWF-Hong Kong. Scope of management includes the TRAFFIC offices in New Delhi, Taipei and Beijing. In addition, there is an important coordination function with the sponsored TRAFFIC office in Tokyo. The Regional Director is supervised by the Senior Programme Director for Asia and Pacific at TRAFFIC International.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES

• Directs, leads and co-ordinates the development and implementation of TRAFFIC’s global conservation programme within the East and South Asia regions (key focal countries include: India, Nepal, China [including Hong Kong and Taiwan], Japan)
• Managing and leading the regional team and collaborates with senior colleagues in the TRAFFIC network in developing and marketing projects necessary to deliver the TRAFFIC global conservation programme.
• Represents TRAFFIC in these regions and oversees implementation of a portfolio of project activites planned and executed within the scope of the TRAFFIC global programme, including activities in the areas of research, policy development, communications and capacity building and effective administration of an annual budget of about USD 1.5 million.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

• Represents the East and South Asia regional team in development and management of TRAFFIC’s global conservation programme
• Collaborates with senior colleagues in the TRAFFIC network in developing and marketing projects necessary to deliver the TRAFFIC global conservation programme as a co-ordinated effort addressing wildlife trade issues in East and South Asia, including development of funding proposals and budgeting and scheduling of planned activities
• Oversees management of implementation of project activities in the region developed under the TRAFFIC global programme, ensuring that the regional team delivers project results effectively, efficiently and to expected TRAFFIC quality standards
• Represents TRAFFIC in the regions and maintains links and good working relationships with WWF, IUCN, governmental and inter-governmental agencies in East and South Asia, major donors and relevant NGOs
• Liaises with the TRAFFIC network and relevant WWF and IUCN programmes and regional/national offices in East and South Asia about events, developments and activities related to wildlife trade and utilisation
• Ensures effective public and policy communication and interacts in this respect with the media, government and non-government agencies, and with funding bodies and donor agencies
• Ensures that TRAFFIC has the institutional capacity to deliver its programme in the East and South Asia regions, including oversight of any sub-regional and project offices 
• Manages and supervises the TRAFFIC staff and consultants in the region and manages personnel issues including performance and staff development
• Manages the budgets of TRAFFIC East and South Asia and ensures effective administration and accounting of funds and the accurate and timely reporting of consolidated and project-related financial statements and accounts
• Ensures compliance with the terms of hosting agreements for TRAFFIC offices in the region and close liaison with WWF in Hong Kong, India and China and any other host organisations
• Ensures preparation and submission of technical reports on activities and achievements (including six-month and annual activity reports) and project reports for funding agencies
• Represents the TRAFFIC Network at regional and international meetings

REQUIREMENTS

• Strong management skills in programme planning and project development
• Excellent interpersonal, team management and leadership skills. The ability to work effectively as part of a small team, with respect for and sensitivity to multi-cultural approaches
• Broad international experience and familiarity with conservation and socio-economic issues of the Asian region, preferably with several years of working experience in more than one East or South Asian country.
• Project development and marketing experience and strong financial management skills
• Extensive professional work experience relevant to nature conservation, familiarity with major trends in biodiversity conservation policy and issues relevant to the trade in wild animals and plants
• A good understanding of CITES and other international nature conservation laws and agreements, of wildlife management and sustainable development issues, and of Southeast Asian policies regarding the conservation, use of and trade in biological resources
• A university degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. biology, political science, environment, social science, law or economics)
• Fluency in English, preferably a strong working ability in at least one relevant Asian language, and excellent writing skills
• Good communications skills and experience of working with the media
• A willingness to travel widely and frequently and work under pressure
• Familiarity with standard word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and database software, and with electronic communication technology  

APPLICATIONS

Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the "Apply" button.

Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST).

Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: http://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/

IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, was founded in 1948 and brings together over 1,100 members (States, government agencies, NGOs and affiliates) and some 11,000 scientists and experts from 181 countries in a unique worldwide partnership. Its mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. Within the framework of global conventions IUCN has helped over 75 countries to prepare and implement national conservation and biodiversity strategies. IUCN has approximately 1,100 staff, most of whom are located in its regional and country offices while some 150 work at its Headquarters in Gland, Switzerland. IUCN is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from qualified women and men.