Freshwater Lead

Freshwater Lead, WWF-Laos (Re-advertisement)

Want to make a positive difference to the future of people and our one share home, the Earth? Working at WWF-Laos could be your opportunity of a lifetime.

WWF Laos is looking for a new freshwater lead to build the profile of this essential part of our programme.

As freshwater lead you will be working in the Mekong basin, one of the most biodiverse rand rich river basins in the world. You will be pivotal to building and delivering WWF Laos conservation vision, building our programme and leading our Freshwater Practice Area. Find out more from www.wwf.org.la

You will be integral to the development and leadership of the freshwater progrmme across Laos and coordinating with regional programmes. You will be leading passionate and committed teams over two priority sites (the Xe Bang Hieng Riverscape and the Siphondone Riverscape) and integrating freshwater into our other priority sites to ensure sound knowledge and understanding of freshwater resources and that this knowledge is incorporated into national and provincial decision making.

Come and join our passionate team of Lao Conservation Scientists!

Based in: Savannakhet Province is preferable, with regular travel to other field offices as required.

Gross monthly salary: WWF Laos offers competitive salary and benefits. Please state your salary expectations in your covering letter.

The Freshwater Lead is responsible for the leadership, strategic development, management and resourcing necessary to implement the strategies of WWF- Laos’ Freshwater programme.

As Freshwater Lead, you will:

• Lead the development and implementation of WWF-Laos’ freshwater programme, including strategy, work plans, partnerships and fundraising
• Act as coordinator for one or more of WWF-Laos’ priority sites in the Mekong Plains Landscape (MPL), including ensuring full implementation of WWF’s Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework (ESSF).
• Support freshwater related work implemented as part of WWF-Laos’ work in the Annamite and Nam Poui and Mekong Plains Landscapes (AL, NPL, MPL).
• Ensure a coordinated approach to freshwater with other WWF-Laos programmes, such as Sustainable infrastructure and Private Sector Engagement (SIPSE), Governance and Inclusive Conservation (GIC), Wildlife and Forests.
• Develop Freshwater research collaborations to monitor and fill information gaps for key aquatic specie
• Engage multiple stakeholders in water stewardship and river basin management policy, and in the context of WWF Laos Vision.
• Lead and coordinate fundraising/proposal development for WWF-Laos’ freshwater programme.
• Ensure timely submission of annual programme reports and technical progress reports (TPRs) to WWF International and relevant donors.

Your qualifications and demonstrable experience will include:

• Master’s degree in water resource management, environmental or conservation management, or in a related relevant field or relevant experience
• Qualification in programme and project management.
• Thorough understanding of water, socio-economic, hydropower, conservation and development issues in Laos
• Knowledge of the policy/institutional context related to freshwater management in Laos
• Excellent understanding of development partnerships, fundraising, donor strategies, functions, governmental and international relations.
• At least 7 years of practical experience in leading and managing freshwater management and freshwater-related conservation initiatives, at least 3 years of which should be in Laos/Southeast Asia/Asia
• Experience in developing and implementing aquatic biodiversity monitoring and research
• Strong people management skills including planning, motivating and coaching team members, building capacity and supporting professional development
• Strong communication skills
• Delivering quality outcomes and very good financial management skills
• Fluency in written and spoken English, knowledge of Lao language is an advantage
• Adhere to WWF’s values: Courage, Respect, Collaboration and Integrity.

WWF Laos can offer you:

Contract duration: initial 1 year with possible extension

For more information on our work in Laos, please visit: http://www.wwf.org.la. Detailed job description for this position is available at https://www.wwf.org.la/about/work_with_us/.