Terrestrial Conservation Advisor, Papua New Guinea

WCS is now seeking a dynamic, experienced individual with knowledge of terrestrial conservation issues in tropical developing countries to provide technical oversight of and support for its terrestrial conservation program in Papua New Guinea. The position requires strong terrestrial ecology/biology expertise, extensive management and program development experience and a genuine commitment to the mission of WCS. The position is based in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea.

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Position: Terrestrial Conservation Advisor, Papua New Guinea
Reports to: WCS Papua New Guinea Country Program Director
Location: Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea
Start date: February 2018
Contract: Full-time position

Background

Founded in 1895 as the New York Zoological Society, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. WCS is the longest established international non-government conservation organisation within Papua New Guinea (PNG). At key and representative landscapes and seascapes, from the country’s coral islands to its forested highlands. WCS works with local communities and provincial, national and international partners, to sustainably manage and conserve the biodiversity and cultural values of Papua New Guinea’s wildlife and wild places. WCS PNG vision is “Gutpela sindaun, gutpela bus, gutpela solwara” (“Empowered people with healthy forests and seas”).

This position is responsible for the technical oversight of and support for the WCS PNG Terrestrial Program in areas of: project management and implementation; project development and reporting; local staff capacity building; and data analysis and publication. Current program implementation priorities include: designing sustainable forest management and livelihood schemes; analytical assessment of sustainable wildlife use; integrating community-based conservation with national policies for REDD+, protected area development and climate change adaptation. The position is also responsible for species specific conservation programs which include: Admiralty cuscus, Green turtle, Goodfellow’s tree kangaroo, and Vulturine Parrot and have an emphasis on bio-cultural use. The position reports to the PNG Country Program Director and works closely with the PNG senior management team, PNG applied science team, WCS Melanesia Regional Director and other WCS Asia staff. The position oversees all technical assistance to terrestrial conservation activities and maintains appropriate communication with WCS project leads, key donors, funding agencies, local government institutions and NGO partners.

This position is based in Goroka in PNG and requires significant travel within PNG and may require some travel internationally.

Responsibilities

• Contributing to the development of an updated strategy for WCS’ terrestrial conservation work in PNG.
• Technical oversight of WCS PNG’s terrestrial conservation programmatic activities including species specific projects.
• Improving WCS PNG terrestrial conservation activities through the analysis of program and project outcomes.
• Managing a portfolio of terrestrial conservation projects including work plans, budgets, staff, and deliverables.
• Coordinating programmatic activities in line with administrative and financial aspects of WCS PNG Program.
• Writing technical reports to donors, government agencies, and other WCS offices.
• Authoring scientific papers, books, and popular articles, and supporting other WCS PNG staff to do so.
• Proactively supporting the development of high quality communication pieces for increasing the profile of WCS PNG terrestrial program and its technical activities.
• Influencing policy development by sharing program results and lessons learned with government partners and other key stakeholders.
• Contributing to the identification of fundraising opportunities, draft proposals, and develop and maintain good working relationships and/or partnerships with donors, government, NGOs, private sector and other key stakeholders.
• Leading WCS PNG’s terrestrial conservation scientific research and publications.
• Designing protocols for field data collection, data management, and analysis.
• Capacity building of WCS PNG terrestrial conservation technical staff and local partners.
• Contribute to performance reviews of WCS PNG terrestrial conservation team and the recruitment of new staff and short-term specialists.

Qualifications and requirements

• PhD or Masters degree and experience in a field related to in situ conservation.
• Proven ability to write fundraising proposals and manage grants and donor reports.
• Demonstrated success in delivering conservation interventions. Experience within the context of a tropical developing country is desirable.
• Experience in program implementation and project management.
• Strong scientific analytical skills, including: experimental design, statistical analysis (knowledge of program R is critical), and data management.
• Experience in community-based and collaborative terrestrial conservation initiatives. Experience in REDD+, silviculture and wildlife monitoring is desirable.
• Background knowledge of natural resource management and bio-cultural issues in Papua New Guinea is advantageous.
• Demonstrated success in publishing scientific articles in peer reviewed journals and ability to communicate scientific information to a general audience.
• Ability to work sensitively and effectively with people of diverse cultures, value systems, perspectives and levels of education, and to manage and work with staff and partners in these contexts.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
• Professional proficiency in English. Working knowledge of Tok Pisin is advantageous.
• Ability and strong willingness to mentor and build local staff and partner capacity in community-driven natural resource management, field research, conservation biology, conservation advocacy, and project management.
• Effective “roll up the sleeves” work ethic, with attention to detail. 

• Willingness to travel within PNG and internationally.
• Genuine commitment to the mission of WCS.

Application process

Interested candidates who meet the above qualifications should apply by emailing an application letter and CV together with salary requirements and the names and contact information of three references to: asiaprogram@wcs.org by October 20, 2017 deadline. Please include “PNG TCA” in the subject line of your email. Candidates must also apply online via the WCS career portal at: http://www.wcs.org/about-us/careers