WWF MEDITERRANEAN PROGRAMME OFFICE
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Position title:
Freshwater & Energy Policy officer
Reports to:
Head of Unit, Freshwater Programme
Supervises:
NA
Grade:
B1
Date:
1st March 2014
I. Mission of the Project:
The Dinaric Arc Sustainable Hydropower Initiative (DASHI II) aims at improving the way decisions
about future hydropower infrastructures are made and existing plants are operated since
freshwater ecosystems viability is at stake.
The overall goal of the DASHI II is to ensure that key stakeholders contribute to making
hydropower sustainable; to strengthen legislative frameworks; to encourage civil society action
against unsustainable hydropower and to assign economic value to ecosystem services as an
alternative. DASHI II's geographical scope is the Adria (Western Balkans) region, with a particular
focus on Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Montenegro.
II.
Main Functions:
The Freshwater & Energy Policy officer will:
 Lead and deliver the policy component of WWF's Dinaric Arc Sustainable Hydropower
Initiative (DASHI II) defined in the first objective of the project: “Key international
stakeholders contribute to making hydropower sustainable in the Western Balkan
countries”
 Develop a detailed action plan for the policy/advocacy activities set out under the abovementioned objective and implement the plan
 Develop and maintain dialogue with key players in the Adria region and beyond (e.g. EU
institutions, development banks, the Energy Community, private sector) identified as key
target audiences in DASHI II
 Closely cooperate with DASHI local officers to implement national policy and advocacy
tasks and activities and to put together joint positions addressing key target audiences
 Ensure coordination with the relevant offices in the larger WWF network, such as WWF
International, WWF EPO, WWF DCPO, on joint policy and advocacy activities
 Develop strategic partnerships and alliances with regional networks, NGOs/CSOs and
stakeholders, as needed, to create multiplying effects
 Identify further opportunities for contributing to WWF Mediterranean conservation targets
through influencing policy development and implementation
 Support the MedPO Freshwater Unit in project development and fundraising activities.
III. Main Duties and Responsibilities:
The policy scope of this work will include:
 Processes under the International Commission for Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR),
especially with regard to the promotion of ICPDR's hydropower guidelines in the Western
Balkan countries
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 Processes under the Energy Community (EnCom) and the EU energy market integration
 The accession and pre-accession processes of alignment and approximation to the EU
policies in Western Balkans countries (in particular WFD, EE and RES Directives, EIA and
SEA Directives)
 Energy and water infrastructure lending policies of major EU or regionally active
development banks (e.g. EBRD, EIB, WB, KfW) and the Western Balkans Investment
Framework (WBIF)
Tasks
The Freshwater & Energy Policy officer will:
 Lead on the DASHI II policy component as set out under Objective 1 of the project
description
 Ensure the timely delivery of outputs under her/his responsibility as set out in the logical
framework (see Annex hereafter) and agreed to in the work plan developed jointly with the
head of the Freshwater Unit
 Coordinate lobbying and advocacy work at a national level with local officers or partners
 Lead on the development of policy positions and advocacy strategies
 Lobby the private sector, IFIs, national authorities as well as regional organizations
 Build alliances and synergies, notably with watchdog organisations and other CSO entities
 Liaise with EU and other international institutions
 Closely cooperate with other offices in the WWF network, in particular WWF EPO and DCPO,
when developing positions on policies affecting freshwater ecosystems in the region or
organising other regional activities
 Coordinate with MedPO communications department on joint advocacy/communications
activities and campaigns
 Stay abreast of new developments in the field of water or energy policies in the region and,
working with relevant colleagues, ensure a timely reaction
 Assist MedPO training and capacity building programme for WWF staff and partner NGOs
 Provide regular information, policy briefings and reports to the head of MedPO Freshwater
Unit as needed and requested
 Supervise the work of ad hoc consultants who will be hired to support the policy work
 Respond to media enquiries and provide interviews when needed
 Represent WWF MedPO in relevant policy events or arenas
 Contribute to the identification of sources for funding
 Lead or participate in the development of project proposals
 Travel within the region or beyond as needed.
IV. Working Relationships:
1.
Internal: Report to the Head of the Freshwater Unit of MedPO. The Freshwater & Energy
Policy officer is a team member of the DASHI II project and the WWF-Adria team, working
closely with other team members, contributing to the effective coordination of the project
strategy and implementation of activities, supporting and being supported by the team as
made necessary by the project implementation plan. The Policy officer coordinates closely
with the other MedPO programme units and departments (Administration and Finance,
Communications) and interacts regularly with WWF EPO staff, WWF National and
Programme Offices, the global freshwater team, and all other WWF staff.
2.
External: Interacts with a wide variety of people, including private sector, government
officials, academic institutions and NGOs.
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V. Profile & required qualifications:
 Adhere to WWF’s values: Knowledgeable, Optimistic, Determined and Engaging.
 Bachelor's or Master's degree in environmental management, environmental sciences,
sustainable development, political sciences, hydraulic engineering and/or other related
area
 Minimum 5 years experience in water- and/or energy-related policy work in the broader
European area with responsibility for the implementation of complex projects or action
plans
 In-depth knowledge of EU policies and legislation in at least two of the following fields:
environment/water, energy, development and enlargement
 Experience in working with governmental and/or non-governmental players in the Adria
region, familiarity with Adria social, economic and political context are strong advantages
 Fluency in English is a must; knowledge of one or more languages of the Western Balkans
region is a major advantage.
 Proven skills in analysis of policies, plans and assessments; excellent writing and
presentation skills are required
 Strong interest in the environment and identification with WWF's ethos, vision and mission
 Excellent networking, team-working spirit and ability to work in multicultural and
multidisciplinary environments
 Availability for frequent travelling in the Adria region and in Europe
This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are
anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to
organizational needs.
Prepared by Supervisor:
Francesca Antonelli
Accepted by Departmental Director: Deni Porej
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Date: 26/02/2014
Date: 28/02/201