Conservation Scientist Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Since our founding in 1961, WWF has been committed to protecting nature and its resources. We understand that nature is our planet's greatest asset, intrinsically linked to human survival - and that it needs our help. Our work to reverse nature loss and conserve biodiversity has never been more urgent.

As the world's leading conservation organization-with offices on six continents and in nearly 100 countries-our global reach includes the world's most critical forests, river systems, wetlands, savannas, and ocean habitats. By conserving these places and supporting sustainable livelihoods within them, we can keep the Earth in balance for people, wildlife, and the planet.

Major Function

The Manager, Durable Conservation and Finance is part of a team that catalyzes long-term, sustainable financing for large-scale conservation areas. The Program Development and Integration (PDI) unit of the Durable Conservation and Finance team is responsible for identifying and developing WWF's incoming Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) pipeline as part of the Enduring Earth partnership, facilitating pipeline development for partnerships aligned with Enduring Earth, piloting new areas of work, and supporting the integration and success of the wider team. The Manager is responsible for delivering cross-cutting outcomes for protected and conserved areas across the PDI portfolio. Success in the position depends on collaboration with internal and external experts in PFP, conservation finance, international financial institutions, protected and conserved areas, and others across partnerships and the WWF Network.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage Viability and Feasibility phases of WWF's incoming Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) pipeline in close coordination with the Senior Director, Durable Conservation and Finance.

  • Manage teams conducting PFP pipeline development and advise staff, consultants and/or external partners in exploring new PPF opportunities.

  • Ensure aligned messaging and opportunity exploration across WWF-US, WWF Country Offices, and the WWF Network.

  • Closely collaborate across internal, external, and matrixed teams to enhance opportunities during and across PFP/project phases (Viability and Feasibility) - particularly the Durable Conservation and Finance team, the Nature Finance and Investment team, Goal teams, and Public Sector Partnership teams.

  • Closely collaborate with colleagues to ensure seamless transitions across PFP phases and best identify, capture, and apply best practices and learnings throughout the PFP pipeline and projects.

• Strategically advise and bring the best of WWF to partnerships (For example, SPACES) aligned with Enduring Earth under the leadership of the Senior Director, Durable Conservation and Finance.

  • Convene colleagues across WWF to define priorities geographies for deeper collaboration anchored in WWF's priorities, with emphasis on PFPs, debt deals, and potential other large-scale nature finance opportunities.

  • Coordinate with and advise WWF Country Offices based on lessons learned from other geographies with a particular focus on assessing and aligning existing and potential finance streams.

  • Foster collaboration with WWF-US's Priority Places, Big Bets, and Goal teams.

• Contribute to oversight of cross-cutting program functions with staff that operate the entire durable conservation and finance program.

• Represent WWF at related partnership and large-scale nature finance meetings, external workshops, conferences, and in partnerships to advance our shared goals.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Key Competencies

• Initiative and Accountability - Takes initiative and makes smart, informed decisions to drive priorities forward both independently and collaboratively. Assumes ownership and accountability for delivering results. Brings in the right people to have key conversations. Facilitator of information flow.

• Critical Thinking - Identifies, interprets, and evaluates relevant data, patterns, and relationships to solve problems, inform decisions, and develop practical, evidence-based recommendations. Can see the big picture and apply expertise to make recommendations and document rationale.

• Influence and Cultural Skills - Adapts communication and collaboration to different cultural backgrounds, levels of seniority, and objectives. Builds productive working relationships in a complex, matrix environment and can calmly address conflict and approach high pressure situations prepared and with emotional intelligence.

Skills and Experience

• A Bachelor's Degree is required, Advance degree preferred, in a relevant field such as conservation science, international environmental or finance policy, conservation finance, or natural resource economics.

• Position requires 8-10 years of program or professional experience.

• Experience with relevant technical areas such as protected and conserved areas, project finance for permanence (PFP), conservation finance, natural resource economics, and/or Indigenous peoples and local communities is preferred.

• Experience with PFPs or similar large-scale, complex, multi-stakeholder projects.

• Familiarity with government, private sector, and civil society actors and institutions working on nature and nature finance.

• Fluency in Spanish is strongly preferred, other languages are also useful.

• Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships, advocate with diplomacy, and achieve goals with internal audiences and external partners.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively delegate and manage tasks across projects and subject matter experts.

• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex technical information in real-time for different audiences.

• Demonstrated ability to work with considerable independence, competence, and discretion.

• Excellent project and time management skills.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including presentation skills and ability to tailor communication across diverse cultures and audiences.

• Experience living or working overseas preferred.

• Experience working within a large and complex organization across geographical, cultural and language boundaries preferred.

• 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:

  • Courage Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult, or unpopular.

  • Integrity Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, owning mistakes, and holding oneself accountable.

  • Respect Welcomes other points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement.

  • Collaboration Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals.

Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone

Please note: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.  

Relocation is not provided for this position.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) promotes equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals regardless of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Please note: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.  

Relocation is not provided for this position.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) promotes equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals regardless of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.