Organization Background

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is an international non-government organization committed to working with communities, government and other partners to manage wildlife, lands and seas for biodiversity and human-well-being. WCS PNG is seeks a Terrestrial Conservation Coordinator to be based in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province. The position will report to the Terrestrial Conservation Director.

Role Dimension

This position is responsible for the technical implementation of the WCS PNG Terrestrial Conservation Program.The position requires travel within PNG, especially to WCS field sites in the Highlands region We are looking for a dynamic individual interested in and excited about taking on significant programmatic responsibilities beyond their existing skillsets.

Key Selection Criteria

Qualifications and requirements

Education/Credentials

• A bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant discipline (terrestrial or natural sciences or natural resource management), or an approved equivalent qualification. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in other fields but with full-time professional experience in wildlife conservation will also be considered.

Major Responsibilities:

• Provide technical assistance across all terrestrial conservation activities of the WCS PNG, standardizing protocols among different sites
• Lead and perform data collection protocols and surveys, plus data management, and analysis of all terrestrial projects.
• Produce quantitative, graphic information for publications, reports, and outreach.
• Research on sustainable wildlife and natural resources use, threatened species, conservation threats, and ecological restoration.
• Support project management, development, grant writing, and reporting
• Support writing and publishing of communication material, including journal articles, books, and pieces for mass media and social media platforms
• Translate scientific information into simple English and Tok Pisin to allow it to be easily understood by a variety of stakeholders, including those with low literacy skills.
• Provide capacity building to local staff and partners.
• Represent WCS during stakeholder/partner engagement and outreach
• Other duties as directed by your supervisor.

Experience

• Extensive programme management experience and community engagement experience in terrestrial wildlife conservation project sites
• Experience in terrestrial protected area planning, including experience in joint management planning and an understanding of terrestrial reserve management planning principles, techniques and procedures.
• Experience in and knowledge of the management of terrestrial ecosystems or wildlife management, and the environmental, social, cultural and economic issues associated with wildlife protected area management.
• Good interpersonal skills and experience in liaising with a range of stakeholders, including traditional owners, local and state government, special interest groups and individuals regarding natural resource management issues.

Critical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience with and ability to lead a team
• Excellent computer literacy & skill of MS office applications (Word/PowerPoint/internet etc.)
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills
• Good knowledge of written and spoken English
• Being a self-starter with drives and initiative and able to work as a team/individual with a positive attitude and open minded
• Excellent organizational and leadership skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Considerate and deliberate in dealing with people and manage conflict
• Ability to work with less supervision and under pressure
• Excellent multi-tasking, organized and follow-up skills

Please send your CV and cover letter addressing Key Selection Criteria to Harshad Karandikar at hkarandikar@wcs.org. All electronic files must be contained in (1) compressed zip file and have applicants’ names and the role applied for, clearly labelled in subject line. For e.g., Tau Peter_TCC Vacancy.

Applications Close: Tuesday 31 December 2024 at 5pm

Due to an expected large number of applicants, if you should not hear back within three weeks after submission close date, please consider your application unsuccessful. Thank you.

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate.