Posted on November, 29 2024

WWF in the Solomon Islands

WWF’s work in the Pacific spans nearly three decades with offices in the Solomon Islands, PNG and Fiji with a regional hub in Suva. Since the mid-1990s, WWF has delivered community-led conservation to protect the region's astonishing natural heritage, relied upon by millions of people for food, water and livelihoods.

The Solomon Islands are spread across 922 islands, harbouring a diverse array of marine habitats, atolls, volcanoes and an astonishing array of biodiversity. Local communities, deeply connected to the land and sea, play a crucial role in preserving cultural legacy through sustainably managing natural resources. 80% of the population rely on fish as their main source of protein but less than 1% of the land and sea is formally protected.

Deforestation, habitat destruction, overfishing, and climate change are depleting resources, endangering ecosystems, impacting livelihoods, and threatening the food security of Island communities. These challenges, linked to the health and well-being of every Solomon Islander, means finding ways for communities to thrive in harmony with their natural environment is an urgent priority here.

The Role

The WWF Solomon Islands country manager provides leadership, guiding the country programme's strategic direction and ensuring alignment with WWF-Pacific and global priorities. This role involves high-level stakeholder engagement, fundraising and donor liaison, policy advocacy, and partnership building to drive national conservation outcomes.

The country manager oversees financial sustainability, operational efficiency, and risk management, while fostering an organisational culture that emphasises learning, innovation, high performance, and inclusivity, supporting the professional growth and well-being of all staff. Leading an expanding team of 15, you will initiate talent management initiatives and foster a culture of accountability, performance and learning. You will be responsible for the financial management and growth of a USD1.1M budget.

This vacancy is open to anyone, but Solomon Islander and citizens of Pacific Island nations applicants will be assessed first, and offered the vacancy if they meet the essential selection criteria and are suitable for the position.

Skills Required

Ideally degree educated you are an influential advocate with experience in leadership roles mobilising teams and partners, including in the Pacific. You have a strong understanding of the region’s socio-economic, cultural, and political dynamics. You have managed and developed programmes or institutions ideally in conservation or natural resources, but international development, or related fields may be considered.

You have experience in developing fundraising opportunities which have secured restricted and unrestricted funds including from major donors, foundations, governments and multilaterals. You are skilled in business and budget planning, monitoring, and the development of funding frameworks to ensure financial sustainability

You have negotiation, collaboration, and influencing skills with networks at senior levels within government, businesses, non-profit, scientific and political communities. You have a history of leading and empowering teams in cross-functional, and developing country contexts, plus a demonstrated commitment to promoting leadership development among local staff.

If you have a passion for conservation and meet all or some of the requirements and you want to play a role in shaping the conservation agenda for the Solomon Islands please submit your CV and cover letter addressing the skills required above quoting #1288478. Call NGO Recruitment in Melbourne, Australia on +61 (0) 3 8080 8978 to have a candidate information pack emailed to you.

Please note there is no formal closing date for this role, if you are interested, we would encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

NGO Recruitment is the executive search and recruitment specialist for Australia's social impact sector and for international NGOs operating within Asia Pacific. Since 2004, we have connected more than 600 NFP organisations with over 5,000 talented professionals, strengthening the leadership capabilities within the sector, supporting program delivery and creating more diverse, dynamic and inclusive workplaces.

Our services in Asia Pacific include highly effective exclusive executive search and permanent and contract recruitment solutions. Our board advisory practice is also skilled at sourcing remunerated and volunteer board members for NFPs across the region. We also deliver tailored HR and unique career transition services designed specifically for international NGOs.