Conservation Director WWF Zambia at WWF Zambia

Job Description

1.0. INTRODUCTION – WWF ZAMBIA

WWF is an independent conservation organization, with over 38 million followers and a global network active through local leadership in over 100 countries, WWF Zambia was established in 1962. Our mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which people live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

At its core, WWF Zambia envisions a future where both people and nature thrive. The organization works across key thematic areas: Biodiversity, Food Systems and Green Economy and Climate Action. WWF Zambia operates in three key landscapes: the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, the Kafue System, and the Upper Zambezi. These landscapes are critical for sustaining biodiversity, supporting livelihoods, and enhancing climate resilience.

Driven by science, advocacy, and multi-sector partnerships, WWF Zambia catalyzes impactful solutions that ensure communities benefit from healthy ecosystems while safeguarding vital habitats for future generations.

2.0. MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT

To develop and lead the national conservation strategy and agenda of WWF Zambia so that it is both highly influential in national civil society, and government entities and able to shape the sustainability agenda domestically, and consistent with the work of the Global Practices and WWF’s global conservation goals. Coordinate WWF partnerships locally to achieve greater conservation impact across the network.

3.0. MAJOR FUNCTIONS

The Conservation Director supports the delivery of transformational and lasting conservation impact by building and leading WWF Zambia’s Conservation Programme, ensuring coherent integration of thematic and geographical programmes as presented in the Country Strategic Plan. He/she provides advice to the Zambia Country Director on pertinent conservation issues in the country. He/she leads the tactical direction of Zambia’s Conservation Agenda in partnership with key international, governmental and local partners. He/she will engage with Zambian local civil society to support them in taking ownership of the future of the natural capital management. By doing so, he/she will facilitate the further embedding of WWF Zambia in the Zambian civil society, thus, enhancing our relevancy to conservation and rural development work in the country.

Working closely with the Country Director, he/she supports the engagement with multilateral and bilateral institutions to influence the policies around key conservation issues. He/she also mediates the WWF network’s engagement (through Practices) to maintain the alignment of WWF Zambia critical contributions to the WWF Global Goals.

4.0. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Conservation Strategy Development and Implementation

Lead the development/implementation of the Country Conservation strategy and programme designs and ensure alignment with WWF global goals, Africa Conservation Framework, and WWF Road Map 2030
Lead in the development and management of a holistic programme and ensure strong coordination between the different strategic (thematic) pillars and the geographical programmes (landscapes);
Ensure active participation of WWF’s partners in the Conservation Programme and its development as well as strengthening partners’ capacities in pre-identified areas;
Develop synergies between WWF’s partners to ensure experience sharing and strengthen lobby / advocacy capacity at national level;
Coordinate with WWF National Offices and partners on Conservation related issues (policy, advocacy, programmatic) and concerns, facilitating effective working relationships and ensuring “one voice” from the network to strengthen the governance of the natural capital in Zambia;
Ensure WWF Zambia representation in strategic technical internal and external Conservation forums;
Ensure thorough planning for the implementation of WWF Zambia’s Conservation Strategy is developed, maintained and respected, and that “lessons learned” are available for future reference and use by the WWF;
Establish linkages between WWF’s vision and conservation objectives of the Zambia Government as well as those of the donor community;
Stay on top of the development of conservation and development trends (e.g. SDGs, CBD, INGA, Nature-based solutions, and Carbon market/financing) and inform colleagues and partners of new conservation initiatives, approaches, strategies, etc. for better integration into the WWF Zambia programmatic strategy;
Coordinate the preparation of strategic documents, guidelines, and other materials required to guide the conservation vision of the WWF Zambia programme.

B. Programme Implementation, Accountability, and Reporting:

In line with the requirements of a Network-wide monitoring and reporting system, ensure that a conservation monitoring and reporting system at WWF Zambia is established and strengthened, measuring Country Office performance against the Conservation Plan and Country Strategy.
Work closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager to ensure that all project/programme technical reports are reviewed and posted onto the WWF Project Database, ensuring compliance with timeliness, completeness, and quality.
Lead the development of annual programme plan with clear activities and budget, and lead the review and report of OSP Dashboard and decision making
Manage conservation staff relationships in a positive and proactive manner, ensuring participatory decision-making within the conservation programme
Convene conservation management meetings on a regular basis and following up on actions
Collaborate with the Africa Director of Conservation Impact and Program Quality Director on fund raising for Zambia and transboundary programmes.

C. Partnership Building & Policy and Advocacy

Engage in strategic partnership initiatives with relevant national, regional, and international stakeholders, including government, donors, civil society, corporate and WWF stakeholders, on conservation and related issues, in coordination with the Country Director and appropriate WWF National Offices
Participate in WWF Global Conservation Forum, Africa Conservation Forum, and lead and guide WWF Zambia’s participation in Global Practices and other for a
Support the development of Jurisdictional programmes (Green Economy) in Zambia

D. Fundraising

Support the Fundraising, through provision and development of transformational project ideas.
Contribute to critical relationship building with various partners to enhance WWF Zambia’s donor base.
Ensure technical backstopping for the development of big programmatic proposals.
Support the promotion of new funding models and their integration into the conservation approach.

E. Others

Ensure that the supervised staff perform according to their job descriptions.
Give support/ advice to supervised staff.
Perform periodic assessments to ensure performance.
Perform other duties as assigned.

5.0. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Post-graduate degree in Environmental/Conservation science or practice, environmental policy, forestry, international development or related field of study.
At least 10 years’ experience in a senior conservation leadership role.
Clear evidence and experience of enabling conservation delivery.
Proven knowledge and experience of human rights, community-based approaches to Conservation, and environmental and social safeguards.
Proven track record of managing internal and external multi-cultural stakeholders to influence and drive change.
Strong background in environmental policy, inclusive natural resource management, including species conservation, protected area planning and management, climate change adaptation and mitigation (REDD+), land-use planning, and/or related topics.
Strong knowledge base on the policies and environmental regulation issues that affect sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation is preferred.
Experience building good working relationships with local and international partners, including government authorities, NGOs, technical partners, and bi-lateral and multilateral donors is highly desirable.
Program management skills must include (i) program planning, (ii) technical direction and oversight.Position requires excellent communication skills, both oral and written English.

6.0. REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

A passion and commitment for conservation and sustainable development.
Good understanding of Zambia natural resource management related plans and programmes. Diplomatic and multi-cultural skills
The aptitude for ‘leading through influence’ and a management style focused on enabling others.
Strong ability to bring together and inspire teams together for impact delivery.
Experience working in an international matrix organisation would be an advantage.
An entrepreneurial approach and eye for spotting innovation.
Superb interpersonal skills that help connect people across different communities.
Must be a team player with very strong diplomatic and communication skills;
The highest level of integrity and confidentiality.
Self-starter, proactive approach to meeting deadlines and achieving results in a tight schedule.

Embraces the WWF mission and values of the organisation: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration.

7.0. WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

7.1. Internal

Works closely with the Regional Management Team, The Conservation Director East and Southern Africa, Country Conservation Directors, Initiative leads, landscape/seascape managers, relevant Practice Leaders, their core teams, Country Directors in the region, Zambia Country Office Leadership Team and other relevant stakeholders within the broader WWF network

7.2. External

Creates and fosters close collaboration with external partners in governments, intergovernmental institutions, business and industry, donors, research and academic institution, local NGOs and local communities.

8.0. EMBODIMENT OF WWF GLOBAL BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

Interested persons should have interest and align themselves with the WWF’s organization core values which are: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration

APPLICATIONS

Applications, consisting of cover letter, a detailed CV outlining relevant qualifications and experience with at least three referees including a current/ previous employer, copies of Academic and Professional Qualifications certified by the Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA) should be submitted via email to [email protected] with CONSERVATION DIRECTOR as the subject line. The closing date for applications is 16th September, 2025 at 18:00hrs.