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Founded in 1961, WWF works to help people and nature thrive. As a global conservation organization, WWF operates in more than 100 countries, partnering with communities, companies, and governments to protect wildlife, conserve vital habitats, and advance sustainable solutions. Grounded in science and driven by collaboration, WWF works to help nature by conserving biodiversity, supporting resilient communities, and addressing climate change. Nearly 1 million people in the United States and more than 5 million globally are WWF members.

Major Function

The Senior Director for Africa provides strategic and programmatic leadership for the Wildlife Program's area-based conservation and species priorities in Africa, with an emphasis on Southern Africa and KAZA (Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area). The role builds partnerships and provides technical expertise to create and mobilize financing for large-scale conservation initiatives. The role develops and communicates a strategic vision, oversees programs for which the Wildlife Team is responsible, and develops projects and initiatives for impact on biodiversity and community-led conservation. The Senior Director leads a team and manages WWF-US's Southern Africa Priority Place program and cross-institutional team. Represents WWF in key external events, meetings and fora, and advises the SVP and WWF leadership on relevant issues, opportunities, and needs.                                  

Major Duties & Responsibilities

Leadership: Leads all aspects of the Wildlife Team's work in Africa, including defining the impact and results that need to be achieved in species and biodiversity conservation, protected and conserved areas, and community-based conservation. Works closely with other WWF-US teams, WWF country offices and experts to develop long-term plans and strategies to support achieving those results. Balances long-range needs with short-term demands in establishing priorities and deadlines.

Priority Place Program oversight: Leads WWF's Southern Africa Priority Place Program, coordinating an integrated team that brings together cross-organizational experts to optimize impact, partner engagement and resource mobilization. Provides expert input to the strategy and priorities for the Priority Place program. Defines the results and outcomes that need to be achieved in the Priority Place program and outlines the long-term plans and strategies to achieve those results.

Communications and fundraising: Serves as a champion for Wildlife priorities in Africa and for the Southern Africa Priority Place program. Leads and collaborates in fundraising efforts with other appropriate WWF staff. Engages policymakers and institutions in building awareness and commitment through targeted initiatives. Accountable for annual program fundraising goals and commitments.

Team building and management: Builds and leads a distributed and diverse team. Works across the organization to ensure that the best talent is brought to bear in developing and implementing solutions and strategies. Sets goals and expectations, drives to achieve success, and measures and communicates progress on an ongoing basis. Creates opportunities for recognition and development. Provides feedback, counseling, and coaching. Is a team player and an excellent communicator.

Creativity & innovation: Identifies and creates solutions to the political, social, scientific, and management issues that confront WWF in achieving its goals. Solves problems and makes things happen under complex circumstances. Brings an entrepreneurial spirit and approach to program execution. Ensures learnings and best practices are shared. Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills and Abilities:

• Education/Experience: Master's degree or equivalent experience required in relevant fields such as conservation, natural resource management, large landscape management or related field. 
• 12+ years of experience required, including at least 5 years working in conservation in Southern Africa and 5 years in a senior leadership role managing staff and large, complex programs focused on conservation. Deep understanding of African conservation issues, including ecology, biology, conservation planning, and community-led conservation.
• Extensive knowledge of and on-the-ground experience with conservation in Southern Africa. Understands the interplay between conservation and development.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, project design and management, budgeting, fundraising, staff management, and program implementation.
• Proven experience building and managing partnerships across sectors- communities, corporate, governmental, and NGO.
• Excellent ability to communicate complex scientific and programmatic information clearly to diverse audiences, including funders, partners, and internal teams.
• Excellent facilitation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills; adept at building trust and alignment among varied stakeholders.
• Able to lead and manage teams and staff, provide coaching and development to staff; has high emotional intelligence
• Able to juggle multiple tasks, work in complex and rapidly changing situations, and perform well under pressure.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills; able to translate ideas into actionable plans and measurable results.
• Track record on developing innovative approaches and solutions to complex challenges.
• High degree of professionalism, accountability, and personal integrity.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles in conservation and team culture.
• Willingness to travel up to 30% of the time.
• Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
• Identifies and aligns with WWF's core values:
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • COLLABORATION - We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.

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.