World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the world’s leading conservation organization, seeks a Senior Program Officer for the Northern Great Plains (NGP) Program’s Tribal Sustainable Financing Initiative. The NGP Program works across a five-state region with private, public, and tribal partners. Our vision is a future where thriving prairies and an abundance of wildlife contribute to the economic and cultural sustainability of the people who live in the Northern Great Plains. We work with private landowners, US government entities, and tribes.
In 2013, WWF and tribal partners identified the lack of stable and sufficient funding as one of the biggest challenges facing tribal wildlife programs. This negatively impacts the ability to hire and retain staff and build comprehensive wildlife conservation programs. As a result, WWF commissioned an assessment of tribal wildlife program needs and sustainable financing options. The Northern Great Plains Tribal Working Group on Sustainable Financing (Working Group) was formed in June 2015 to review this assessment and develop next steps to addressing sustainable financing. The Working Group has evaluated and prioritized specific strategies (US government funds, tourism, hunting, and conservation trust funds) and has begun to build a regional sustainable financing initiative (“Initiative”).
The Senior Program Officer will be the official coordinator of the Initiative, working to implement the prioritized strategies and secure funding to move the strategies forward. A vital first step to achieving the Initiative is mobilizing interested tribes across the NGP to take part and develop a shared regional vision. With the rest of the Working Group, the coordinator will organize interested tribes and build momentum and actions in pursuit of a shared vision for regional wildlife conservation. The coordinator will also work with WWF team members engaged with tribes on bison and black-footed ferret restoration.
- Drive the creation of a shared regional vision (and related marketable identity) for financially sustainable tribal wildlife programs;
- Lead outreach efforts among tribes in the region, including organizing and facilitating meetings and workshops to achieve vision;
- Build relationships with relevant tribal and non-tribal entities across the region related to conservation, economic development, and sustainable financing;
- Create and implement short and long-term strategies, with the Working Group and partners, to achieve vision;
- Oversee tourism assessment and develop resulting opportunities to enhance tourism and related economic development;
- Develop internal and external communications materials (including website) and presentations related to the Sustainable Financing Initiative;
- Supervise consultants in their work toward the Initiative’s goals and strategies;
- Support the Working Group in planning and facilitation of phone and in-person meetings, including administrative support, as needed;
- Complete donor reports, manage budgets, and support the development of new funding proposals. Monitor and evaluate project progress and report back, verbally and in writing, to inform and advise WWF-NGP leadership;
- Work with and support the WWF team working with tribes in the NGP to support their goals for bison and black-footed ferret restoration; and,
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Must have at least 5 years of experience in program management, program financing, natural resources management, or related fields
- Experience working with tribes, or an enrolled tribal member is preferred
- Experience working with collaborative groups, creating a vision, building momentum and delivering results is required
- Ability to lead initiatives and implement strategies with multiple priorities
- Ability to work effectively as a team member with a wide range of individuals, utilizing excellent interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity is a must
- Knowledge of conservation trust funds, economics; or business development is required
- Excellent facilitation and meeting planning skills
- Excellent organizational and project management skills
- Strong analytical, written, and verbal communications skills
- Ability to operate with independence while meeting deadlines and commitments
- Must have a valid driver’s license, have or be able to obtain a passport, and be able to travel frequently across the region (up to 50% of time)