World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a Senior Program Officer, Strategic Planning and Finance. 

Major Function

This role involves developing detailed conservation plans and financial models for Project Finance for Permanence and other initiatives that provide long-term financial support to area-based conservation programs. The Senior Program Officer will work on concurrent projects based in different countries; develop and manage working relationships with WWF staff, partner organizations and consultants; and guide and train counterparts based abroad on conservation planning and related processes. As part of WWF’s broader Conservation Finance Community of Practice, the Senior Program Officer will collaborate with finance professionals from across the organization on the development, design, and implementation of priority initiatives. The Senior Program Officer will report to a Manager of Strategic Planning and Finance in the Earth for Life Initiative.

Reporting Structure: Reports to Manager, Strategic Planning and Finance.

Position Length: This position is funded through December 2025, with the possibility of extension.

Location: Washington, D.C. Candidates outside of the D.C. area will be considered. 

Salary Range: The expected compensation range for this position is $82,300 $102,900.

Please note: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.  In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.  

Key Responsibilities:

• With partner organizations, design and build agreement on aspects of conservation plans for large-scale, area-based conservation initiatives, including initiative scope (geographic and thematic), conservation goals, activities and indicators
• Support the design of funding proposals for multilateral organizations aligned to Project Finance for Permanence initiatives
• Under the guidance of the position’s manager, develop detailed long-term financial models (projections of costs and funding needs and mapping costs to funding sources) for Project Finance for Permanence and other large-scale, area-based conservation initiatives and communicate to various audiences
• Make recommendations on sustainable financing mechanism prioritization, design and implementation
• Build capacity among in-country partner organizations on conservation planning, cost modeling and related processes
• Clearly document conservation scope, financial needs, and related assumptionsOther responsibilities assigned by position’s manager

Key Competencies:

• Project Management: Experienced in planning and executing collaborative projects from inception to completion, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and timely delivery of outcomes.
• Collaborative leadership and interpersonal communication: Skilled in facilitating consensus among diverse stakeholders, building strong, culturally sensitive partnerships across organizations and geographies, and ability to convey technical concepts to varied audiences.
• Analytical and solutions-oriented thinking: Ability to approach complex conservation challenges with logical reasoning and attention to detail that leads to sound decision-making.
• Adaptability and persistence: Demonstrates flexibility and an ability to learn skills and to find a path forward under changing circumstances and ambiguity.
• Time management and accountability: Proven ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and ensure accountability in delivering high-quality results.

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in a conservation, management or finance-related field preferred
• At least six years’ experience in conservation, management onsulting or finance (or equivalent) required. A Master’s degree can substitute for two years of work experience
• Experience with developing countries required
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel required
• Experience managing complex projects with stakeholders required
• Experience with protected areas strongly preferred
• Financial modeling and/or costing experience strongly preferred
• Experience with conservation planning (e.g. with the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation) strongly preferred
• Must be detail-oriented with excellent quantitative, analytical, oral and written communication skills
• Must be client-focused, and enjoy problem solving and working with teams spread across different time zones
• High degree of flexibility, ability to work against deadlines (including some nights and weekends), and under frequently-changing circumstances
• Able to lead group discussions with individuals working in different roles and countries; capable of training and guiding team members with a high degree of cultural sensitivity
• Tactful, organized, persistent, comfortable with occasional ambiguity, willingness to learn new skills, sense of humor
• Must be willing to travel 15-25% of the time to developing countries, on short notice (and to Washington, D.C. if not located there)
• Advanced fluency in English and Spanish is required. Portuguese or French is a plus.
  Committed to WWF’s mission
  • Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values:  
  • COURAGE – We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where it’s needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home.  
  • INTEGRITY – We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability, and transparency, and we rely on facts and science to guide us and to ensure that we learn and evolve.  
  • RESPECT – We honor the voices and knowledge of people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.  
  • COLLABORATION – We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.  

To Apply: 

• Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page, Requisition #25024 

• Due to the high volume of applications, we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone 

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) promotes equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals regardless of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.