ifaw – Wildlife Rescue Field Officer – Ukraine Rescue Project

Position Summary/ Objective

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is filling the position ofWildlife Rescue Field Officer, Ukraine Rescue Project. The overall purpose of this project is to address the immediate impacts and the after-effects of the War in Ukraine on pets, community animals and wildlife. We have successfully secured funding from a diversity of funding sources to develop and implement a plan addressing the needs of animals in Ukraine and throughout the region for the Emergency and Recovery phases of the Ukraine War. To ensure the achievement of project outputs and impacts, the overall objective of the Wildlife Rescue Field Officer, Ukraine Rescue Project, will be to implement activities aiming at mitigating the effects of the war on wildlife and to create better welfare in the recovery phase aligned with the Wildlife Rescue Program Strategy. This will involve data collection, support and implementation of wildlife rescue project activities, and in collaboration with the Operations Coordinator and Project Manager, project strategizing and relationship building. Such activities include, but are not limited to remote and on the ground needs assessments, stakeholder engagement, response and recovery support for wildlife, training and capacity building, legal/policy assistance, and contribution to the development of guidance, tools and resources. The aim is to build capacity for rehabilitation and release of orphaned and injured wild animals, and lifetime care of non-releasable wild animals.

Reporting to IFAW’s Operations Coordinator, Ukraine Rescue Project, this position will work closely with local, national and regional stakeholders. This position is expected to be based in Ukraine or Eastern Europe but can also be based in IFAW offices in Europe. The Wildlife Rescue Field Officer will spend at least 25% of their time in the field in Ukraine and Europe.

It is a 12 to 14-month contract (once renewable) commencing asap.

Role and Responsibilities

• Collect and analyze wildlife related data pre and post war in Ukraine to assess how best support capacity building for wild animals in Ukraine that require human interventions.
• Evaluate and assess opportunities for assistance in line with Wldlife Rescue Programmatic and Institutional strategies, Including evaluation of sanctuaries, facilities and partners for potential collaboration and wildlife rescue support.
• Plan, schedule and monitor Wildlife Rescue projects and activities, ensuring that good animal welfare is maintained in all and they meet IFAW program objectives.
• Responsible for the development and cultivation of relationships and networking within the rehabilitation and sanctuary communities for wild animals, as well as disaster response community, relevant governmental and non-governmental authorities, and other stakeholders.
• Assist in the ongoing development of recommendations and best practices for the advancement of animal welfare standards in rehabilitation and sanctuary programs and facilities.
• Conduct or assist in trainings on such topics as IFAW’s basic standards/best practices of rehabilitation, care, handling and transport of animals and other disaster response and risk reduction relevant topics.
• Facilitate the rescue of wildlife in emergency situations which may include sourcing hands-on care for individual animals.
• Maintain oversight of and document wildlife-related programmatic impact of the Ukraine Rescue Project, including internal reporting to meet IFAW’s PMEL requirements.
• Visit project sites as needed (if possible) and submit timely project status reports and documentation.
• Represent IFAW and its projects at professional meetings/conferences through presentations, expert panels, networking, etc., which will also serve to impart IFAW’s mission, vision, values.
• In support to IFAW’s Advocacy Coordinator, Ukraine Rescue Project, contribute to legislative language and policy development to embed wildlife protection and welfare at all points of the disaster cycle.
• Assist in preparing and providing grants supporting wildlife relief efforts.
• Responsible for administrative duties including management of grantee reporting, contractor management, and daily operations of wildlife rescue activities.
• Work closely with Ukraine Rescue Project staff as well as senior Programs staff to ensure smooth operation of cross-programmatic opportunities and challenges.
• Gather and submit all assigned projects/activities ‘pictures and video assets under communications protocols to fulfill outreach and fundraising needs.
• Other relevant duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Graduate or undergraduate degree in a biological science with wildlife-related coursework preferred. Alternatively, an associate degree in animal science, zoology or conservation biology if the person also has suitable relevant of full-time experience in the field. Advanced degree and/or veterinary sciences degree, vet tech or wildlife rehabilitator license a plus.
• At least two years of experience working in a hands-on environment with wild animals, or within the wild animal rehabilitation or sanctuary field.
• Knowledgeable in general wildlife rehabilitation and sanctuary standards and best practices.
• Experience in data collection with excellent research and analytic skills;
• Ability to work with people and animals in stressful, high-risk and potentially chaotic situations.
• Full working proficiency in English is required. Fluency in Ukrainian and/or another Slavic language is a plus.
• Able and willing to travel in Europe for extended length of time.
• Experience in project planning, monitoring and evaluation is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact harmoniously and communicate effectively with a variety of audiences, both internal and external to IFAW, including government officials, scientists, colleagues and the general public.
• Able to work interdependently, with a high level of professionalism, optimizing the skills available within the team.
• Commitment to animal welfare and promoting IFAW’s mission.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license and ability to obtain an international driver’s license is a plus.