Overview

WWF Central and Eastern Europe is seeking to recruit a dynamic and enthusiastic Regional Policy Coordinator

WWF-CEE´s policy work supports efforts to mitigate climate change and maintain and restore ecosystems and their services in the CEE region (including Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine and Moldova) by engaging in relevant transnational environmental policy processes with the aim of advocating for sustainable development and good governance approaches.

Location:  Bratislava, Budapest, Bucharest or Sofia. In exceptional cases, another location in the Central and Eastern European region may be considered.

The Regional Policy Coordinator will:

Strategy and work plan development

• Prepare and manage the process of shaping priority elements of the European Green Deal package according to WWF-CEE´s objectives and positions and in close cooperation with WWF European Policy Office and country managers/policy leads of our country offices in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine
• Facilitate and guide the development of cross-cutting policy components (e.g. integrated infrastructure planning approaches, nature conservation legislation) of WWF-CEE´s regional Strategic Plan and annual plans, and contribute to monitoring and evaluation of these components

Fundraising and proposal writing

• Contribute to the development of proposals to donors, working and collaborating with national and regional partners

Advocacy, Partnership Development, Campaigning, and Networking

• Advise WWF-CEE teams in designing and managing/contributing to policy advocacy campaigns and projects
• Provide technical comments and input to regional policy documents of WWF
• Represent the organization in relevant regional/EU/national forums such as conferences, symposiums, and communicate and promote our policy approaches
• Engage with governmental institutions primarily at regional/EU level to advise on and advocate for WWF-CEE policy approaches and messages
• Lead or advise on legal action, when appropriate
• Engage with other NGOs towards joint action and coordinated policy approaches
• Liaise with colleagues of the global WWF network on joint initiative

Policy staff development and policy knowledge management

• Support ongoing learning via structured knowledge-sharing (learning community) and contribute to training initiatives related to policy advocacy and good governance mechanisms
• ​Coach colleagues across the region in designing and implementing effective policy advocacy initiatives

Project and process management

• Support and, where needed, supervise implementation of specific policy-related projects and processes
• Advise WWF-CEE project teams working on cross-cutting policy issues in the field of transport, energy, financing and good governance
• Provide thought leadership and coordinate WWF-CEE´s input to shaping the EU level policy development, in particular related to the European Green Deal

Research and Analysis

• Contribute to the development of innovative approaches in the field of good governance
• Share relevant research and analyses on topical policy processes at regional and global levels

Communications

• Work in close coordination with WWF-CEE´s regional communication and fundraising team as well as across the network to communicate issues and achievements to defined target audiences
• Produce knowledge products demonstrating how WWF-driven good governance models are supporting conservation and climate action in the CEE region

The ideal candidate would have:

• University degree in Political Science, Law, Climate Policy, Economy or other discipline relevant to environment-related policy work
• 5 years of relevant work experience as policy coordinator or project manager in the environmental context
• Solid knowledge and understanding of EU environmental policies and legislation and how they are being shaped, integrated planning procedures, and stakeholder involvement
• Knowledge of the core legal frameworks governing the environment, sustainable development and its key principles at the European level
• Understanding of conservation, politics, socio-economics, and sustainable development issues in CEE
• Track record of influencing change and improvement in diverse audiences
• Experience in:
  • engaging with high-level government officials
  • policy process management
  • project proposal writing and public campaigning is an asset
• Ability to:
  • write coherent internal and external policy documents such as memos, advocacy strategies, briefing and position papers
  • participate effectively in interdisciplinary teams, to build and maintain effective working relationships within WWF and with external partners, to work both independently and as part of a team
  • evaluate complex policy and legal evidence
  • apply existing knowledge to complex policy and legal contexts for the purposes of problem solving
  • think creatively and holistically and to make critical judgments
  • analyze and handle qualitative and quantitative data
• Strong analytical skills and strategic thinking, ability to deal with problems characterized by complexity and uncertainty in a structured, systematic and efficient way
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and one language of the region (Bulgarian, Hungarian, Slovakian or Romanian). Knowledge of additional languages of the region is an asset.
• Attention to detail
• Solid computer literacy and practical experience in using a variety of databases
• Appreciation of the multidisciplinary nature of environmental law and sustainable development
• Commitment to WWF’s mission and WWF-CEE’s values – empowering people, trust, drive for impact, responsibility, standard of excellence
• Willingness to travel across the region

We offer:

• The opportunity to make a difference – for the CEE region and for WWF
• Challenging and fulfilling work in one of Europe’s most exciting eco-regions
• Friendly and highly professional working atmosphere in an international context
• Varying tasks and independent work style
• A pleasant working atmosphere and great learning environment
• A competitive salary* according to NGO standards
• 2-year full-time contract with the prospect of a follow-up contract on related issues