TERMS OF REFERENCE

Position title: Conservation Manager
Position Location: Branch Office of WWF- World Wide Fund for Nature in the Azerbaijan Republic
Reports to: Head of Branch Office in the Azerbaijan Republic

Grade: D

Major Function: The Conservation Manager assists the Head of Branch Office in the Azerbaijan Republic in the planning, development, implementation and monitoring of WWF conservation program in the country and ensures its soundness and consistency with WWF mission.

Special Duties and Responsibilities:

Conservation leadership:
" Ensures that the program supports the region's sustainable development and the commitments of the Government of Azerbaijan under ratified International Conventions (CBD, CITES, RAMSAR, etc.) for biodiversity protection and sustainable natural resources management.
" Facilitates delivery of Ecoregional Conservation Plan targets in Azerbaijan through fostering collaboration and learning among strategic partners.
" Supports the development of Protected Areas network and protection of endangered and endemic species by promoting innovate and creative approaches to species protection and protected areas management and encouraging pilot testing of promising conservation methodologies.
" Assists in drafting project proposals for funding/grants, monitoring projects implementation and technical reporting.
" Assists in promoting the implementation of local and national biodiversity action plans in partnership with local/national statutory and voluntary organizations;

Program Management:
" Promotes the concept of sustainability to the public, colleagues and fellow professionals through talks, tours, literature, displays and workshops.
" Keeps abreast of WWF policies and positions, programme and project reports, professional journals, attend technical seminars, etc. with relevance of the programme areas concerned.
" Assists the Administrator in the initial preparation of contracts including the review of terms of reference, work plans, budget summaries and other relevant information to ensure timely contracting and disbursement of programme funding.
" Provides feedback on technical reports/drafts received from national and/or sub-regional programmes and disseminate information to relevant parties.

Communication:
" Provides assistance in publicizing of program activities and creating promotional materials. Gives public presentations.

Financial Management:
" Oversees program budget and maintain a very high level of financial accountability through a close working relationship with Finance & Administration Unit.

Key requirements:

Knowledge: Advanced university degree (Minimum Master or equivalent) in natural resources management, biological sciences or related field experience.

Experience: Broad working experience in conservation in the region, with at least five years of experience. Additional international experience and understanding of field-based activities is essential.

Skills and Abilities:
" Good technical, organizational, interpersonal and teambuilding skills essential.
" Ability to develop and co-ordinate conservation programmes and projects and to work effectively with a wide variety of partners and disciplines.
" Excellent understanding of ecoregional conservation, and the principles of conservation biology.
" Diplomatic and multi-cultural skills.
" Strong skills in programme development and planning, monitoring, and evaluation, and project cycle management. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

The position will be based in Baku, Azerbaijan. Duration of the contract is 1 year with possibility of extension.
If interested, a reference letter from previous experience should be sent with CVs enclosed (in electronic format and English language) to: Finance & Administration Manager on the following e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

Deadline for applications: 20.09 2011

Due to the large volume of resumes we receive, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Branch Office of the WWF - World Wide Fund for Nature in the Azerbaijan Republic

Address: M. Magomayev Street 101/103, 1004 Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan
Tel/ Fax: 497 49 72/73

WWF for a living planet