Freshwater Lead, WWF-Laos

Want to make a positive difference to the future of people and of our one shared 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 and 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 Conservationists!

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 resources 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
• Empower Site coordinators and the freshwater team to manage freshwater programme activities across priority sites
• Develop and maintain a network of contacts, and actively seek to build strategic alliances and partnerships with other international organisations, academic institutions, civil society organisations (CSOs), donors and other potential partners in order to promote and implement WWF-Laos’ Freshwater programme strategies
• Support capacity building of Laos nationals in the fields of water stewardship, integrated river basin management (IRBM), water security, watershed management and freshwater biodiversity conservation monitoring and research
• Act as WWF-Laos’ focal point within WWF’s global Freshwater practice and focal point for Asian flyways initiative
• Work with the Communications and Advocacy team to develop strategic Freshwater programme communications and advocacy, media activity, campaigns and related events
• Ensure timely submission of annual programme reports and technical progress reports (TPRs) to WWF International and relevant donors
• Integrate climate change as part of the overall freshwater programme strategies, with a particular focus on identifying opportunities for nature-based solutions (NBS) related to freshwater
• Identify priorities for site/landscape-scale interventions to conserve and protect freshwater biodiversity (e.g.: Mekong aquatic megafauna)
• Develop Freshwater research collaborations to monitor and fill information gaps for key aquatic species
• Represent WWF-Laos at strategic and technical levels in all relevant fora
• 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
• Facilitate knowledge exchange between WWF-Laos sites and practices and rest of the WWF network

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 with industry leading benefit and salary package and ample opportunity for professional development. For more information on our work in Laos, please visit: http://www.wwf.org.la.

How to apply:

Interested candidate please download the application form from https://www.wwf.org.la/about/work_with_us/, and submit together with cover letter and CV in English to [email protected] citing in the subject line the position that you applied for. 

Deadline for applications: 21^st August 2023. 

Thank you for interested to be part of our panda family. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you have not been contacted within six weeks of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful for this role.

WWF does not charge or accept a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. 

We are an equal opportunity employer and committed to having a diverse workforce.