Posted on November, 29 2024

WWF’s work in the Pacific spans nearly three decades with offices in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands 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.

WWF and the people of the region are co-creating a future where all Pacific peoples and nations are empowered, climate resilient and prosperous, with nature thriving and recovering, ensuring the long-term health of Pacific ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. WWF is striving to positively influence conservation and climate resilience agendas, upholding WWF's values of Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration.

The Role

The Director – Pacific Office will advance WWF Pacific's conservation goals through strategic leadership and by providing innovative solutions that tackle the region’s environmental, social, and economic challenges. The role will oversee the development and implementation of programmes in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands, including multi-country initiatives, ensuring that country offices are fit-for-purpose, financially sustainable, and staffed by high-performing teams, engaging communities, and partners equally.

The role will strengthen WWF-Pacific’s presence by building and managing strategic partnerships and stakeholders, whilst ensuring a robust approach to risk mitigation and fundraising. Leading an expanding team of 60, you will lead talent management initiatives and foster a culture of accountability, performance and learning. You will be responsible for the financial management and growth of a USD$6M budget and will act as the Executive Director for the WWF Trust in Fiji.

Skills Required

With an advanced degree you’re an influential advocate with over ten years professional 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 programmes or institutions in conservation, natural resources, international development, or related fields.

You have experience in developing multimillion dollar fundraising opportunities and proposal designs, which have secured restricted and unrestricted funds including from major donors, foundations, governments and multilaterals. You’re skilled in business and budget planning, monitoring, and the development of funding frameworks to ensure financial sustainability for large-scale programmes.

You have highly developed 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 dispersed teams in cross-functional, cross-cultural, 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 Pacific region, please submit your CV and cover letter addressing the skills required above quoting #1282761. 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.

WWF recognises lived experience and is committed to diversity and inclusion and candidates from historically disadvantaged or marginalised groups are encouraged to apply.

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.

With offices in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane and a dedicated Asia Pacific desk, NGOR searches across Australia and into the Asia Pacific. Our proven international recruitment capabilities allow us to source exceptional talent for specialist leadership roles.