World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a Program Specialist

Major Function

Program Specialist for the Education for Nature (EFN’s) Program will support the implementation of the development and the ever-growing alumni global network of emerging conservation leaders. We are expanding our reach to over 3000 plus EFN alumni across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean who have previously been supported through our funding opportunities at various career stages. The Program Specialist will coordinate and foster activities, processes, and partnerships to build new and existing relationships to ensure EFN’s initiatives adaptively evolve and continue to align with regional and local priorities in WWF’s priority areas.

• Support the implementation of EFN’s global alumni network and engagement strategy, including an operational plan and programming to match priorities and needs to ensure integration with EFN’s Strategy, initiatives, and program goals in alignment with WWF Global Science, Global Practice/US Goal priorities.
• Coordinate with the EFN team on communication to ensure messaging, planning and activities that support alumni global network relationships, outreach, mobilization, onboarding, and engagement. The Specialist (Alumni Network and Engagement) will build and sustain relationships with alumni as well as internal and external partners and co-create engagement opportunities for alumni to strengthen their relationship with WWF.
• Coordinate alumni network related activities, events, and logistics – liaising with internal and external teams to deliver successful outcomes.
• Prepares outreach materials for the alumni network. Draft, reviews, and edits written overviews and reports on engagement efforts and impact across the alumni network, including research, analysis and learning outcomes.
• In collaboration with EFN Director and team, coordinates, tracks, and compiles alumni data including publications, work history, progress, success, and lessons to fulfill internal and external reporting and communication of the impact of EFN alumni conservation and leadership outcomes. Seeks to amplify alumni opportunities and results across WWF-US and the WWF Network.
• In collaboration with EFN Director and team, supports technical and analytical expertise in preparation of alumni metrics. Aids in the alumni database input, maintaining and updating of the database. Contributes thought leadership with capacity partners and alliances and within the conservation capacity development sector.
• In collaboration with EFN Director and team, contributes to conservation capacity research, synthesis, and data analysis, contributing to new technical information, policies, tools, and global trends related to conservation and education. Collaborates with EFN Director and team in contributing to academic and grey literature.
• Interacts regularly with representatives of WWF-USA, WWF Network, Country Offices, and associate organizations, grant recipients, alumni, and consultants.
• Occasionally travels to project field locations, providing relevant logistical support as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Six years of demonstrated and progressively responsible experience in a program role is required or an advanced degree in biodiversity conservation, forestry, natural resource management, environmental studies, and/or international education, and at least three years of expertise in biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, international education, or a related field is strongly preferred. Or two years of experience with an advanced degree.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are required, including experience in project design and management, research and analytical skills, and proposal and report writing.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and produce high-quality work under time constraints.
• Excellent organizational and project leadership skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, proactively, and collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, in an international context across cultures and time zones.
• Experience with Microsoft 365 Suite is essential. Prior use of Adobe and GIS software preferred.
• Familiarity with Microsoft office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access).
• Preference given to candidates who are multilingual.
• Background in community-based engagement is essential and experience in the conservation sector is a plus.
• Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
• 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.

WWF is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and requires all US-based staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. WWF will consider requests for accommodation from the vaccine requirement based on disability, medical contraindication, sincerely held religious belief, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

To Apply:

• Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page, Requisition #24003
• Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone

As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status. WWF values diversity and inclusion and welcomes diverse candidates to apply.