Senior Program Officer

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is Bhutan’s oldest conservation partner. The partnership began in 1977 through capacity development of local conservation staff. The support gradually evolved into a full country program with several collaborative conservation projects.

Recognizing the need to conserve Bhutan’s natural capital and immense biological diversity, WWF-Bhutan supports the Royal Government with various environmental conservation programs targeting immediate and longer-term conservation issues. The programs include research and study, education and awareness, promotion of sustainable livelihoods, and protection of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. Addressing human-wildlife conflict, illegal wildlife trade, and mitigation and adaptation to climate change are of paramount importance to WWF-Bhutan’s conservation works in the country. 

By working closely with the communities and the Royal Government on various educational, participatory and innovative initiatives, WWF-Bhutan strives to ensure a progressive convergence of nature, culture and economic vibrancy to build a future where people live in harmony with nature. 

Our vision

A sustainable and just Bhutan for nature and people

Our Mission

1. Sustain a healthy and resilient natural ecosystem with a viable wildlife population of ecological and cultural significance.
2. Inspire environmental stewardship to promote inclusive conservation and development.
3. Catalyze and support nature-based economy contributing to human well-being and resilient economic growth.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a Senior Program Officer for the Tiger Conservation Coalition Secretariat in Bhutan. We are looking to hire a passionate, creative, and dedicated professional, always willing to push the boundaries, a great team player and overall, a good human being, who understands and appreciates the value of leading by example.

We are driven by the WWF CORE VALUES:

1. COURAGE: We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where it’s needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home.
2. INTEGRITY: We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability, and transparency, and we rely on facts and science to guide us and to ensure that we learn and evolve.
3. RESPECT: We honor the voices and knowledge of people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.
4. COLLABORATION: We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.

MAJOR FUNCTION:

Under the direction of the Tiger Conservation Coalition (TCC) Chair and Country Director (WWF-Bhutan), the Sr. Program Officer will be the primary point of contact for TCC events and meetings and support WWF-Bhutan in coordinating  with the Royal Government of Bhutan in relation to the follow up actions from the Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscapes Conference (SFTLC) held in Bhutan, April 2024 and the 1 billion USD ambition for additional tiger landscape finance announced at that event. 

The Sr. Program Officer would also provide similar coordination functions in relation to a global leaders alliance for tigers (not yet established) under the patronage of Her Majesty The Queen of Bhutan and the leadership of the Royal Government of Bhutan.

The Tiger Conservation Coalition brings together leading biologists and experts in wildlife crime, human-wildlife coexistence, policy, finance, development and communications, with unprecedented alignment on achieving tiger conservation at scale. Its member organizations include the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Environmental Investigation Agency; Fauna & Flora; Natural State; Panthera; TRAFFIC; the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); the Wildlife Conservation Society; Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). 

1. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Ensures efficient and proper planning, reporting, coordination and operational support to achieve the TCC objectives following from the decisions reached at the SFTLC.
2. Support and follow-up on the implementation of activities in accordance with planning and timeline agreed by the TCC, including those pertaining to external events.
3. Facilitate proper communication flow between the TCC, the Royal Government of Bhutan, the Palace, and WWF-Bhutan.
4. Manage all requirements and specifications, including the preparation of all progress reports, by attending online and physical meetings of the TCC and related engagements with agencies/entities including WWF Bhutan, and Bhutanese officials.
5. Provide the TCC, WWF-Bhutan and the Royal Government of Bhutan with regular briefs, and timely follow-up relating to meeting minutes, agreements and decisions.
6. Coordinate meetings of the TCC on a monthly basis; join Working Group meetings as and when required between TCC members; maintain records of meetings.
7. Liaise with the Communications Working Group in the TCC and other agencies in developing promotional materials pertaining to the TCC and its priorities. In doing so, ensuring due diligence, timely support, content quality, and the regular updating of key communications and web materials.
8. Provide input to all major organizational documents to ensure they are well written and clearly communicate the messages.
9. Ensure delivery of publications, advocacy materials and reports to respective recipients including donors and supporters.
10. Input into the development of relevant fund-raising materials in consultation with the TCC.
11. Provide input to all major TCC documents to ensure they are well written and clearly communicate the aims of the TCC.
12. Undertake other tasks as required and assigned by the line management; the TCC Chair (communicating decisions of the broader TCC), and the Country Director of WWF-Bhutan (as primary contact for the government of Bhutan).
13. Oversee accounts and financial work streams of the Secretariat and work with finance colleagues to provide quarterly, six monthly and annual reports.
14. Oversee the financial work streams (including bills and bank statements) and ensure proper checks and balances and report to the TCC as and when needed.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

1. Internal:   Interacts frequently with the Chair of the TCC, TCC partner organizations and WWF-Bhutan.
2. External: Interacts with the Royal Government of Bhutan, TCC Partners and other stakeholders

Education: Advanced degree in conservation, environment or similar.

Experience: At least 7 years of work experience in conservation or related field. Preferably prior experience of working in conservation programs or managing large conservation projects. Experience working in an international setting or experience of working with international partners is an advantage.

Skills and Abilities:

1. Knowledge of both global and national conservation programs, policies and frameworks.
2. Understanding of conservation/innovative financing mechanisms and frameworks an advantage.
3. Excellent communication (written and oral) and negotiation skills, with experience in engaging with government agencies, donors and international partners. Proficiency in Dzongkha and English is necessary.
4. Must have strong project management skills, and the ability to work on initiatives with multiple and competing priorities while delivering technical oversight, administration, and financial management.
5. Should be able to work independently with minimum supervision and guidance from supervisors.
6. Ability to develop and coordinate programs and activities and to work effectively with a wide variety of partners and disciplines.
7. Ability to work under pressure and motivate the team, staff and stakeholders.
8. Strong interpersonal and team-building skills for partnership development and management.
9. Is a team player and respectful of human and cultural diversity.
10. Must be able to travel to field offices and project sites.
11. Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
12. 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.

1. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

2. The duration of the Employment Contract and Renewal is either based on:

      - The Project duration/company requirement or  

      - Based on individual performance.

3. Application Submission Deadline: April 12, 2025.