Senior Program Officer, Animal Protein Systems - 21037

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organization, seeks a Senior Program Officer (SPO) for Animal Protein Systems.  Working under the supervision of the Director, Livestock Systems, the SPO assists with the planning, coordination, communication and implementation of program priorities and activities related to Sustainable Animal Protein Systems in the United States and globally. The SPO, Animal Protein Systems oversees a cross-cutting portfolio of projects and relationships with key entities as an integral member of the Animal Protein Systems team, which is part of Freshwater & Food. The SPO provides technical expertise representing dynamic aspects of the animal protein industry and livestock commodity supply chains and collaborates internally with colleagues in other parts of Freshwater & Food, Markets, Forest, Oceans, and Climate, as well as across the WWF Network. The SPO will support the development, design, and implementation of the overall Animal Protein Systems strategy, and will work to build, manage, and evolve WWF’s cross-cutting, global portfolio of projects, relationships, research areas, and thought leadership to advance our conservation objectives, and support communications, outreach, and resource mobilization. The SPO helps represent WWF-US and maintain relationships internally with our Network and externally with key industry and producer organizations, stakeholders, local communities, and partners, including those working with beef, dairy, poultry, eggs, and swine commodities, to help influence and drive sustainability initiatives designed to reduce the negative impacts of animal protein production on climate change, biodiversity, soil health and freshwater ecosystems. The SPO, Animal Protein Systems will also engage closely with teams working on conservation of priority landscapes, including the Northern Great Plains, the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo, the Amazon, Cerrado, and the Chaco-Pantanal, to integrate commodity supply chain interventions with policy, finance and other workstreams that support livelihoods, thriving people, and local communities, to effect positive change and sustained impact on the ground.

• Serves within WWF as a key technical expert regarding aspects of animal protein systems, supply chains, and production systems and key issues, trends and challenges for key commodities including beef, dairy, eggs, poultry, and swine.
• Assists with program and project management by responding to technical requests, data, analysis, and information. 
• Oversees and engages will colleagues on a portfolio of projects, activities, and workstreams related to the sustainable production and consumption of animal protein commodities, including where these are critical to WWF’s priority landscape conservation efforts.
• Works directly with project personnel, grantees, donors, consultants, and others to facilitate coordination, communication, and regular project reporting. Drafts, reviews, and edits written program materials.  Prepares and/or finalizes scopes of work, budgets, and administrative information for contracts and to ensure compliance with donor requirements.
• Develops proposals and plans for funding from private foundations, the private sector and/or bilateral or multilateral development agencies. Develops, plans, and implements oversight of new and ongoing field projects and grants. Facilitates and coordinates the preparation of short- and long-term project workplans. 
• Monitors and analyzes new technical information, policy development issues, and trends related to the program and advises others accordingly.  Keeps abreast of issues, partners, and other stakeholders in areas in which WWF has an ongoing interest.  Responsible for acquiring and gathering data relevant to specific conservation projects from conservation peers, governmental agencies, and universities.
• Reviews the performance outcomes and status of all activities and evaluates and reports these results, as well as recommendations for corrective action.  May travel to project sites to monitor and evaluate project progress and reports back, verbally and in writing.
• Coordinates and facilitates communication, collaboration, and coordination between relevant initiatives within Freshwater and Food related to Animal Protein Systems, including our landscape work in the Northern Great Plains, Rio Grande/Rio Bravo, the Amazon, Cerrado, and the Chaco-Pantanal.
• Maintains close relationship and coordination with key colleagues across the WWF network including in the Food, Freshwater, Forest, and Markets Practice
• Maintains relationships with key organizations, platforms, and stakeholders relevant to the Animal Protein portfolio and represents WWF-US internally and externally as appropriate.
• Supports the coordination and logistics with convenings, thought leadership dialogues, and stakeholder consultations as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Must have a bachelor’s degree in a related field such as agribusiness, supply chain management, or marketing. An MBA or other graduate degree in a relevant field, is preferred.
• Must have at least 6 years of work experience in relevant area, including livestock production, marketing, trade, animal nutrition, feed sustainability, international agriculture production, certification of agriculture, agribusiness management, agricultural program and policy, international agriculture development, negotiations with internal and external stakeholders, design and negotiation of strategic partnerships that are multi-dimensional and broad-reaching and implementation and activation of partnerships within an organization or institution.
• A high level of interpersonal skills is required, especially relationship management skills, negotiation and facilitation skills, and the ability to work as part of a high-level, diverse, international team.
• Experience within the livestock industry, with emphasis on the private sector preferred.
• Experience working with governments, NGOs, global organizations, bilateral and multilateral organizations on agricultural issues, specifically livestock systems, is an advantage.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presentation skills.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills; knowledge, experience and certification using project management tools a plus.
• Excellent research, analytical and synthesis skills
• Excellent professional judgement and personal work ethic, a self-reflective learner who is open to growth and continuous learning opportunities through constructive feedback, support, and mentorship.
• Ability to operate with independence and under pressure, to meet deadlines and commitments; a proactive self-starter who is self-reflective, a problem-solver, and not afraid of making mistakes or asking for help.
• Ability to work on initiatives with multiple and competing priorities.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a matrixed, cross-cutting, and global team, with a wide range of diverse individuals across cultures, geographies, and time zones.
• Must be willing and able to travel, nationally and internationally, up to 25% of the time (when safe to resume travel post-COVID).
• Fluency in English required. Knowledge of additional language such as Spanish, Portuguese, French, Mandarin, Vietnamese, or Thai preferred.
• Commitment to F&F values of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI)

Please Note: Applicants are encouraged to apply by Sunday, March 14th, 2021

To Apply:

• Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page,  Requisition #21037  
• Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone

As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status. WWF values diversity and inclusion and welcomes diverse candidates to apply