TOR / JOB DESCRIPTION
Position title:
Place-Based Conservation Effectiveness Work-stream Lead
Grade:
b1
Reports to:
Director, Luc Hoffmann Institute
Supervises:
NA
Date:
1 May 2014
I. Mission of the Department: The Luc Hoffmann Institute seeks to be the premier global
institute focusing science capacity on the world’s most important conservation problems,
and magnifying science impact through strategic alignment and communication. Our
products will be known for their conservation relevance, rapid delivery, independent
scientific rigor, and broad communication. We connect the research needs of the largest
conservation organization in the world (WWF), and the research talent of academics and
thought leaders from around the world. We use collaborative structures to bring
interdisciplinary teams together, and we resource those teams so that they can deliver
solutions, tools, and knowledge to the conservation community at a pace relevant for
decisions. For more information on the Luc Hoffmann Institute, please visit
http://luchoffmanninstitute.org/
II. Major Functions: The Place-based Conservation Effectiveness (PBCE) Workstream
Lead is a central part of the Luc Hoffmann Institute content team, responsible for shaping
the PBCE workstream, creating synergies among projects and partners, and serving as
the project manager for a key project within the workstream, called “Systematic Protected
Areas Planning in Response to Climate Change (SPARC).
This is a collaborative medium-sized GEF-requested project that is now in the GEF
pipeline. The project focuses on the development of predictive resources to assist
countries in South America, Africa, and South-east Asia as they attempt to build and
maintain networks of protected areas that are resilient to climate change. It will be a
central research project for the workstream, and the work is highly collaborative with
Conservation International, WWF-US, the University of Washington, and other partners.
Managing this project will require extensive coordination among partners and
stakeholders spread around the world.
The PBCE Workstream Lead also works with the Luc Hoffmann Institute Director, and
other key advisors, to set goals for the workstream and for projects within the
workstream. She/he works with internal and external project units and teams, contributes
thought leadership and technical capacity to the Institute and the workstream, and
identifies opportunities for expanding the Luc Hoffmann Institute’s portfolio of projects.
The workstream lead is also responsible for development efforts within the workstream,
focused on external funding sources. The PBCE Workstream Lead works closely the
other other members of the Luc Hoffmann Institute core team, as well as with key
partners around the world, to organize projects and fellows, create Luc Hoffmann Institute
knowledge products, and facilitate research and synthesis.
III. Major Duties and Responsibilities:
 Performs a radar function on current scientific and policy debates for the WWF network
and recommends new priorities and opportunities for the Luc Hoffmann Institute within
the Place-based Conservation Effectiveness workstream and beyond.
 Works closely with the WWF US GEF team, Conservation International, and other
partners to develop and manage the execution of a medium-sided GEF project focused
on climate change adaptation and terrestrial reserve network design
 Develops and maintains connections with the scientific and research community focused
on place-based conservation effectiveness, and the impacts of various global change
factors on protected area effectiveness, and develops and maintains links between
thought leaders within these communities and WWF contact points
 Develops and maintains an understanding of the current and planned Place-based
Conservation Effectiveness work around the WWF network, and works with leaders in
this space to understand the WWF research needs within this area.
 Builds and supports research partnerships, Collaborative Research Teams and Luc
Hoffmann Fellow positions focused in this workstream
 Develops co-financing and outside funding opportunities to support research in placebased conservation effectiveness.
 Monitors and evaluates the impact of all Luc Hoffmann Institute Projects within the
workstream, using both conservation and academic metrics of success, and gathers data
from projects and project participants to assess short and long term impact of Luc
Hoffmann Institute projects.
 Works with the other work-stream leads to manage the evolution of Luc Hoffmann
Institute policies and procedures for the evaluation and monitoring of projects.
IV. Profile:
Required Qualifications
 Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Social
Science, Sustainability Science, or Environmental Economics, with a clear emphasis
in place-based conservation strategies
 Minimum 3 years of experience working in relevant field of employment at the
international organizational level
 Extensive project management experience
 Experience developing partnerships, managing multidisciplinary teams and managing
remote teams
 Experience in research analysis and synthesis directly related to conservation,
environmental science or environmental policy
 Experience with diverse funding agencies and the funding structures required
 Available for international travel, up to 30% of the time
Required Skills and Competencies
 Ability and enthusiasm for on-deadline, short timeline tasks
 Fluency in English
 Discretion, reliability, flexibility, accuracy
 Ability to work in multicultural environment
 Capacity to work independently in an intense team environment
 Exceptional people skills
 Excellent organisational skills
 A good sense of humour
 Adheres to WWF’s values, which are: Knowledgeable, Optimistic, Determined and
Engaging
Desired Skills and Competencies
 Experience writing and administering GEF funded projects
 Experience with international policy and understanding of relationships of global policy
the conservation practice and implementation
 Knowledge in relational databases and ability to tailor them to the WWF and Luc
Hoffmann Institute needs
V. Working Relationships
Internal – Works as a part of multiple teams, with team members based at WWF
International in Switzerland, WWF US in Washington DC, The University of Washington
in Seattle Washington, and UCSB in Santa Barbara. The Place-based Conservation
Effectiveness Workstream Lead also maintains relationships with WWF priority regions
around the world, helping these place-based programs articulate and meet their research
needs.
External – Works closely with research institutions, granting agencies, foundations,
multi-lateral organizations and other NGOs.
VI. Location: Open.
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.
Staff request form:
1: type: New position
2. Justification: content development and coordination of activities in the Place-based
Conservation Effectivenes work-stream will be critical for the evolution of the Luc Hoffmann
Institute.
3c: Joshua Tewksbury
3d: TBD
3e: full time
3f: open ended
3g: funding source – MAVA for first 4 months, GEF funds for 2 years after that, TBD after
these two years.