Address Job Description
Position:Global Policy Specialist – Nature Crime
Reports to: Executive Director, Counter Wildlife Trafficking (CWT)
Position Managed: None
Location: Any location with the existing WCS regional or country program office. Europe Preferred.
Country Program/Sector: Global Conversation Program
Scope: Global
Position Type: Full-Time
Organizational Background:
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, tax-exempt, private organization established in 1895 that saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes/seascapes, and presence in more than 60 nations across the globe, WCS has amassed the scientific knowledge, cultural understanding and partnerships to ensure that vibrant, wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local people. Working with local communities and organizations, that knowledge is applied to address species, habitat and ecosystem management issues critical to improving the quality of life of rural people whose livelihoods depend on the utilization of natural resources.
Program Overview:
WCS is committed to combating Nature Crimes that threaten biodiversity, including wildlife and timber trafficking, illegal commodity-driven deforestation, illegal fishing, and illegal mining. We work in close partnership with over 500 government agencies, and 150 Indigenous Peoples and organisations, and Local Communities and Civil Society Organisations across more than 30 countries to reduce the trafficking of wildlife including fauna (e.g., elephants, tigers, birds, freshwater turtles, sharks and rays, freshwater fish) and flora (e.g., commercial timber species including rosewoods, and agarwood) from nature’s strongholds to levels where populations are no longer threatened by trafficking. We support our partners to develop and implement highly focused, evidence-based strategies to reduce the profits of crime, whilst simultaneously increasing the effort needed to commit the crime and the risks of being caught and punished. Our work on illegal commodity-driven deforestation is both in landscapes globally as well as within international policy frameworks. It includes a range of interventions that support zero deforestation production and facilitate investment and engagement at the forest and farm frontier.
Nature crimes not only jeopardize our planet's biodiversity but are increasingly convergent with other transnational organised crimes often providing a source of illicit finance, fuelling transnational criminal networks. This presents an opportunity to address Nature Crimes within the broader framework of transnational organized crime and illicit finance such as the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
Job Purpose:
The Global Policy Specialist will support WCS's efforts to create policy change at regional and global scales that will demonstrably reduce Nature Crimes that impact our priority land and seascapes. This position will work particularly closely with our field programs ensuring there is sufficient capacity, understanding, and that national and global strategies align to maximise the impacts of global and regional policy on the ground.
Major Responsibilities:
Working closely with international and Global Policy teams, develop and implement strategic plans to deliver on WCS's theory of change to counter Nature Crimes through existing, and potentially new, policy instruments and mechanisms, working in close collaboration with ongoing interaction with policy fora such as Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), UNTOC, FATF, and more.
Facilitate training and capacity-building programs for WCS staff and local and regional partners, including leading an internal practitioner's forum, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to develop and implement policy advocacy safely and effectively.
In close coordination with our field programs, International Policy, Europe, and US Public Affairs colleagues, strengthen relationships with key decision-makers, influential government officials, and relevant stakeholders within, inter alia, the UNTOC, FATF, and CITES, to advocate and influence policy decisions on Nature Crimes.
Lead, coordinate and support where appropriate, research and analysis of policy levers and their effectiveness to combat Nature Crimes, with a focus on identifying key metrics of impact.
Oversee policy-related projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget, and report on project progress and results.
Maintain accurate records of all engagement activities, outcomes, and policy initiatives. Prepare detailed reports and updates for internal and external stakeholders.
Collaborate with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including governmental agencies, indigenous communities, local and international NGOs and the private sector, to foster partnerships and promote shared objectives.
Identify funding opportunities and write grant proposals to secure financial support for policy-related initiatives.
Qualification Requirements
A degree in international relations, environmental law, public policy, or a related field. A Postgraduate degree in similar field is preferred.
A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in Global Policy mechanisms and advocacy, with a focus on transnational crime, environmental crime or a related field and a proven ability to influence intergovernmental policy fora and/or to build the capacity of organizations to engage effectively with such fora
An understanding and experience with national engagement with Global Policy mechanisms such as UNTOC, FATF, and CITES
Skills in policy research and advocacy campaign development
Ability to communicate effectively with people from mixed culture and capacity teams, both orally and in writing, in working out solutions to problems or questions related to the work
English language proficiency (oral and written) required, competency in Spanish or French preferred.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and international organizations.
Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and capable of working independently and as part of a team.
Strong commitment to the mission and values of the Wildlife Conservation Society.
Additional Requirements:
Willingness to travel internally approximately 30% of the time.
Ability to work across multiple time zones.
WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and engaging a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on gender, race/ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information or any other covered status or characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.
It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that we do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon a person’s membership in one of these protected categories in areas such as recruitment, selection, job assignment, supervision, training, promotions, job grading, transfers, termination, compensation, benefits, educational opportunities, WCS sponsored recreational activities and facilities.
Note that the salary offer will reflect the selected candidate’s individual experiences, skills and qualifications, internal equity, work location and country of work.
Salary Range
Competitive salary commensurate with experience
