Conservation Director

Background:
WWF Caucasus Programme Office (WWF CauPO) is the leading international conservation organisation in the South Caucasus, operating in Georgia (regional hub), Armenia and Azerbaijan. It represents a highly performing WWF international Programme Office with efficient operating systems, professional and skilled staff, strong financial resources, delivering high conservation impact. WWF CauPO is guided by strong conservation vision for the region. The role of the Conservation Department is to ensure the effective implementation of conservation strategies and initiatives for the region and consistent strong impact measurement, reflection and learning from results to continuously improve performance.

Major Function:
The WWF Caucasus, Conservation Director sets strategic conservation and policy directions for the region and supervises their performance through robust PMEL frameworks and relevant indicators. Directs conservation program initiatives on a regional level to ensure coherent/ cohesive programme design and delivery and guides conservation planning and implementation in each Caucasus country. Leads on partner development and stakeholder engagement in Georgia, for policy influence, conservation delivery and fundraising purposes. Provides strategic leadership to the conservation teams and consultants engaged in project implementation across all three countries.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Conservation Leadership

Serve on the Regional Management Team (RMT), contributing to region-wide policies, systems, and standards.
Maintain strong coordination with RMT members to align activities with WWF CauPO objectives.
Lead strategic conservation planning processes with the Conservation Managers in CauPo’s offices, ensuring a current, coherent WWF CauPO Conservation Plan aligned with regional and WWF Network priorities.
Oversee review, updates, and implementation of the WWF CauPO conservation strategy and associated policies, systems, and procedures.

Lead the Conservation team in the development, submission, and monitoring of funding proposals to ensure alignment with strategic forecasts and conservation priorities.
Oversee effective monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of the WWF CauPO Conservation Plan, ensuring compliance with WWF standards, KPIs, and GPF indicators.

ESSF, Quality Assurance and Risk Management

Develop and maintain WWF CauPO’s quality assurance systems to ensure conservation relevance and programmatic integrity across all proposals and initiatives
Supervise implementation and updates of Environmental & Social Safeguards (ESSF) across landscapes and projects, including risk screening, training, and reporting.
Guide the integration of ESSF and risk management measures into conservation planning and project design.

Ensure that programmatic risks are identified, tracked in the risk register, and effectively mitigated and evaluate project proposals for strategic relevance and quality, supporting a strong internal quality assurance system.

Stay abreast of WWF International QA and ESSF policy developments and ensure institutional alignment and capacity.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL)

Design and oversee M&E strategy and frameworks that align with organisational goals, donor expectations, and international standards.
Lead development and use of logframes, theories of change, KPIs, and data systems for tracking conservation impact.
Ensure timely data analysis, impact assessment, and integration of findings into adaptive program management.
Build MEL capacity across the region, guiding staff and partners on best practices, tools, and reporting.

Team Management and Talent Development

Supervise and mentor conservation staff across the region, supporting performance, motivation, and professional development.
Oversee the work of three conservation managers in the three CauPO offices
Collaborate with RMT and P&C on workforce planning, recruitment, succession planning, and talent development for the conservation function.
Support recruitment and evaluation of key conservation and programme staff, including consultants as needed.

Communications, Partnerships & Representation

Act as spokesperson for the WWF CauPO Conservation Programme to the WWF Network and internal fora such as Conservation Leadership Community and European Directors Community, media, partners, and external stakeholders.
Contribute to communications products and campaigns that promote WWF CauPO’s image and impact.
Foster partnerships and represent WWF CauPO in relevant regional and global forums.

Fundraising and donor relationship management

Lead proposal development in close cooperation with Network colleagues, donors, and external agencies to secure relevant funding for the WWF Caucasus strategy
Ensure alignment of project delivery with donor expectations, and ensure timely monitoring and quality reporting
Actively develop project pipeline to support future income generation and effective cost recovery
Build and maintain relationships with donors, agencies and partners in support of fundraising efforts from diverse channels.

Profile:
Required Qualifications

Master’s degree or higher in natural resources management, environmental or conservation management, development studies, or in relevant fields.
At least 10 years of practical experience in leading and managing integrated conservation programme at regional level.
Demonstrated experience in developing, implementing and monitoring strategic plans.
Thorough understanding of conservation and development issues in the region.
Knowledge of the policy/institutional context related to conservation in region.
Experience in developing and writing related project proposals to aid agencies, foundations, corporate sector and other individual donors.
Excellent understanding of development partnerships, fundraising, donor strategies, functions, governmental and international relations.
Strong oral and written communication skills in English, Russian and Georgian languages.

Required Skills and Competencies

Strategic thinking and decision making.
Excellent communication, negotiation and diplomatic skills.
Ability to relate convincingly and credibly with diverse audiences.
Strong organizational skills with an aptitude to get things done.
Leadership and management, People management, Coaching and capacity building/development.
Policy advocacy and influence.
Management of conflict, risk, and crisis.
Promoting team synergy in a multi-cultural work environment.
Identifies and aligns with the core values of the WWF organization: Courage, Collaboration, Respect & Integrity.
Adheres to WWF’s brand values: Knowledgeable, Optimistic, Determined and Engaging.
Demonstrates WWF behaviours in ways of working: strive for impact, listen deeply, collaborate openly and innovate fearlessly.

Working Relationships

Internal: Interacts extensively with other departments at WWF Caucasus Programme Office, WWF Armenia and WWF Azerbaijan Country Offices, EUNA Regional Conservation Director as well as WWF International, National Organizations and Country Offices throughout the Network.
External: Interacts with relevant Governmental institutions, business sector, academia, NGO sector, local communities and donors.

This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organizational needs.