World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a Senior Specialist, Instituional Partnerships. 

Major Function

The Senior Specialist for Institutional Partnerships is a key contributor to the development and execution of resource mobilization strategies for high-impact and high-visibility conservation partnerships, including but not limited to Enduring Earth and the Tribal Buffalo Lifeways Collaboration. The Senior Specialist will work closely with program and development colleagues across WWF, as well as with collaborators at partner organizations (for example, Enduring Earth partnership colleagues at Pew, ZOMALAB, The Nature Conservancy, and the Enduring Earth Hub). The Senior Specialist’s work contributes to the goal of successfully raising funds for, closing, and implementing WWF’s Enduring Earth Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) initiatives, as well as supporting the broader resource mobilization efforts of Enduring Earth and other institutional partnerships.

Salary Range: $95,600 - $119,500

Reporting Structure: Reports to Sr. Director, Board and National Council Relations and Institutional Relationships

Position Length: Regular, Full-time 

Location: Washington, D.C. (Hybrid work structure with minimum of 2 days a week in office) 

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.  

• Support the Executive Vice President of Philanthropic Partnerships and Board Relations and the Senior Director of Board Relations and Institutional Relationships on emerging and established high-impact partnerships. Current partnerships include Enduring Earth and the Tribal Buffalo Lifeways Collaboration.
• Related to Enduring Earth, the Senior Specialist will:
  • Lead the development of structures, processes, and guidelines for WWF that support the implementation of resource mobilization for Enduring Earth, its partnership, and individual Projects for Permanence (PFPs).
  • Collaborate with the leadership of the Development, Philanthropic Partnerships, Strategic and Regional Philanthropy, Public Sector partnerships, and Earth For Life teams to advance Enduring Earth priorities, including through project management and internal communications.
  • Collaborate with and support coordination of matrixed teams and workstream leads across WWF offices to advance the objectives of Enduring Earth resource mobilization against identified timelines and across multiple priorities.
  • Manage communication and flow of information between Development and Earth for Life teams within WWF-US, between WWF-US and numerous WWF offices globally, and between the Enduring Earth Hub and partner organizations Pew, The Nature Conservancy, and ZOMALAB.
  • Support international meetings and events where Enduring Earth and PFPs are a priority, including helping to develop events to further the objectives of the Partnership.
  • Develop technical content on Enduring Earth resource mobilization, including development of templates and guidance.
  • Manage logistics and undertake scheduling and administrative tasks. Implement internal performance tracking and reporting, such as updating regular documents and spreadsheets for all WWF PFPs and creating new reports as needed.
  • Serve as a vital resource to the resource mobilization teams for all PFPs in development.
  • Develop and maintain a system for managing and updating foundational documents and data essential to advance WWF’s PFPs (e.g., green sheets, power points, proposals, reporting).
• Support the development and ongoing management of other key institutional partnerships as assigned.
• Perform other duties and take on other responsibilities as required according to organizational needs.

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Collaboration and Relationship Management: Builds and maintains strong working relationships through clear, respectful communication and active listening. Effectively collaborates across internal teams and with foundation and NGO partners, donors, and other stakeholders to achieve shared conservation and resource mobilization goals.
• Communication and Influence: Effectively conveys information to internal and external audiences through clear and concise oral, written, and interpersonal communication with the ability to tailor messages to varying levels of technical understanding and across different cultural contexts. Handles confidential materials and sensitive communications with discretion and integrity. Manages communication and flow of information between WWF teams and external partners.
• Adaptability and Problem Solving: Demonstrated ability to handle competing priorities, respond with flexibility to changing circumstances, and seamlessly transition between projects and responsibilities. Anticipates team needs to help resolve issues proactively, and identifies and helps advance solutions to longer term challenges.
• Attention to Detail and Organizational Skills: Manages time and resources efficiently, systematically organizes work, and pays meticulous attention to all aspects of a task to ensure desired outcomes. Ability to track project milestones and resource mobilization metrics across teams and partnerships.

• A Bachelor's degree is required; Master’s degree is preferred. A Master’s degree can substitute for two years of work experience
• At least six years of development or project management experience is required.
• Strong knowledge of conservation/environmental issues preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work across and within complex teams.
• Demonstrated ability to work with independence, competence, and discretion.
• Excellent project- and time-management skills, attention to detail, and organization.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office365 suite, especially Excel and Powerpoint.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presentation skills and ability to tailor communications across diverse cultures and audiences.
• Ability to excel as part of a high performing team in fast-paced environment.
• Talent in innovation, adaptability and problem-solving.
• Ability to synthesize complex technical information in real-time for different audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
• Should possess a commitment to the goals of World Wildlife Fund.
• 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 #25068

• 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.