Overview

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organization, seeks a Project Communications Specialist for the (TRNC) project, at our Washington, DC office. This is a two-year position, with possibilities for extension pending availability of project funds. The job holder manages and implements a communications strategy in support of a USAID-funded project to improve practices to reduce the negative impact of corruption on the management of fisheries, forests and wildlife resources around the world. The position requires audience identification and outreach, activities to disseminate research findings and programming guidance, content development, website management (in coordination with the WWF web team), external and internal newsletter design and distribution, document design and layout, event (mainly online) organization and support, as well as other assigned activities to ensure that the TNRC project achieves its objectives.

 Background

The TNRC project is a five-year cooperative agreement awarded by USAID to a project consortium led by WWF. It was awarded in late August 2018 and is expected to run through September 2023. The project consortium also includes TRAFFIC, based in Cambridge, UK; the Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center at George Mason University; and the U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre (U4) at the Chr. Michelsen Institute in Bergen, Norway. TNRC also works closely with the Basel Institute on Governance, based in Switzerland. TNRC is entering its final two years of implementation, during which the work of the consortium will focus heavily on developing practical guidance products, directly connecting with practitioners in the conservation and development fields to inform a communication of pathways for mainstreaming anti-corruption in wider conservation practice.

The purpose of the Targeting Natural Resource Corruption (TNRC) project is to strengthen USAID’s efforts and those of a wider community of natural resource management (NRM) and anti-corruption stakeholders to improve NRM outcomes by reducing threats posed by corruption to wildlife, fisheries and forests. TNRC will focus on harnessing existing anti-corruption knowledge for the NRM sector; delivering new thought leadership and evidence on effective approaches to anti-corruption issues in NRM; leveraging practitioner and stakeholder networks for knowledge dissemination and improved anti-corruption action; deepening global partnerships to combat corruption in the management of natural resources; and programming more effectively against corruption in specific contexts. TNRC targets a diverse audience of USAID practitioners (including implementing partners), other donor and NGO practitioners and policy makers, international fora and, to a more limited degree, stakeholders and practitioners in specific countries where TNRC may implement activities.

A project management unit (PMU) based at WWF headquarters in Washington, DC leads the project and has final responsibility for achieving its objectives. This position will be a key member of the PMU.

Responsibilities

As part of a small, dynamic PMU team, the job holder will work with the Chief of Party (project director); Deputy Chief of Party; Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist; and Anti-corruption Advisor, along with consortium and donor representatives, to define, refine and achieve project objectives. Within the PMU, the job holder will have the lead responsibility for implementing communications and related activities to assure that knowledge generated by TNRC reaches targeted audiences and that modes of conveying this knowledge are effectively framed for achieving practical changes in how the NRM sector addresses corruption at the international and national level. Specifically, the Project Communications Specialist:

  • Plans and implements all communications for TNRC. Works with relevant WWF communications teams and the PMU to adapt and implement strategies for achieving TNRC’s objectives. An important new priority is outreach to identify and target practitioners within the WWF, TRAFFIC and USAID global networks who would benefit from participating in focused workshop targeting specific problems and responses for addressing the impact of corruption in conservation and natural resource management.
  • Solicits, creates/co-creates, and designs content for newsletters; event promotion (webinars, roundtables, workshops); web pages for events, publications and other resources. Works with TNRC team and WWF offices to identify and develop short stories that highlight activities that address corruption’s impact.
  • Responsible for layout, publication and distribution of TNRC publications, social media profile and presence, and other communications materials.
  • Works with WWF web team to optimize the design of TNRC’s web pages (www.tnrcproject.org) and Knowledge Hub for its target users and audiences; has ongoing responsibility for adding and maintaining content using a CMS and some basic HTML/CSS. Works with consortium partners to ensure effective use of partner web sites for achieving TNRC objectives.
  • Supports TNRC online and
  • Maintains mailing lists and delivers a project newsletter (currently via Mailchimp) at established intervals (quarterly external newsletters for 2,000+ practitioner audience; monthly internal consortium newsletters).
  • Ensures adherence to (and revises as appropriate) a TNRC branding and marking plan in compliance with USAID regulations, designs templates and guidance for TNRC publications and other communications products in line with this policy, and works with project personnel, consortium partners and others to assure compliance with quality and design standards, including final review of TNRC publications and materials.
  • Develops and monitors project operating plans and budgets related to communications.
  • Manages and implements other technical and administrative functions to support project communications such as responding to requests for information, organizing events or supporting consortium member events (e.g., with document copy editing, layout and production, announcements, development of talking points, coordination of technical exchanges and workshops, etc.), and developing systems for managing communications materials and resources.
  • Reviews performance outcomes and status of all communications activities and evaluates and reports these results, such as evidence of uptake and use of TNRC materials. Seeks opportunities and proposes actions for improving outcomes.
  • Monitors and analyzes new information, policy development issues, and trends related to TNRC and advises others accordingly. Keeps abreast of issues relevant to project communications. Responsible for gathering data relevant to specific project elements from conservation and governance peers, governmental agencies, media and universities.
  • Role may occasionally involve some travel within the US or internationally as needed.
  • Performs other duties as assigned

Qualifications

  • Must have at least 5 years of experience with leading and executing international development-related communication, or relevant similar work.
  • A Bachelor’s is required, preferably in a relevant field such as development communication, international development, mass communication, marketing, or journalism. A graduate degree in similar fields of study is preferred, and may substitute for some years of experience.
  • Must have strong project communications skills and ability to convey complex issues simply to target audiences.
  • Must have excellent organizational, analytical, research and writing skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to use the Adobe Creative Suite (especially Adobe InDesign) and to collaborate closely with an internal web team to continuously update web site content utilizing a CMS platform such as WordPress, Dreamweaver or Drupal, is essential.
  • HTML/CSS skills are an advantage.
  • Experience with USAID audiences, projects and policies, is an advantage.
  • Familiarity with maintaining contacts and sending emails to large audiences from a platform such as MailChimp, Constant Contact, or similar, with an understanding of CAN-SPAM, GDPR, and other data privacy legislation is required.
  • Experience with Zoom webinars and other online engagement tools (polls, breakout rooms) is a plus.
  • Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks and operate with independence, under pressure, to meet deadlines and commitments is necessary.
  • Ability to work effectively as a team member with a wide range of individuals, across cultures and time zones is necessary.
  • Demonstrated understanding of research communications and knowledge management strategies, especially related to renewable natural resources (fisheries, forests, wildlife) and/or public governance issues, is an advantage.
  • Fluency in English is essential. Proficiency in additional languages, such as Spanish or French, is an advantage.
  • Identifies and aligns with the core values of the WWF organization: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration.

Please Note:

  • This is a Limited Term position, funded through September 2023
  • We are looking to fill this position as quickly as possible. Resumes will be reviewed as soon as they are received.

To Apply:

  • Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page,  Requisition #22061  
  • Due to the high volume of applications, we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone

As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status. WWF values diversity and inclusion and welcomes diverse candidates to apply.