WWF International - Regional Director Asia Pacific by Oxford HR

REGIONAL DIRECTOR ASIA PACIFIC COUNTRY OFFICES

MARCH 2021

ABOUT WWF

All around the world, people are waking up to the deepening crisis of nature loss. We’re experiencing a growing realization that nature is our life-support system and that no one will be spared from the impacts of its loss. WWF is an independent conservation organization active in nearly 100 countries and working to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and wildlife. It is part of a growing coalition calling on world leaders to set nature on the path to recovery by 2030 – a New Deal for Nature and People as comprehensive as the global climate deal. Working with many others – from individuals and communities to business and government – WWF urgently seeks to protect and restore natural habitats, stop the mass extinction of wildlife, and make the way we produce and consume sustainable. For more information about WWF International, visit our website.

WWF’S MISSION

To stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature by: • conserving the world’s biological diversity • ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable • promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

@ Simon Rawles

THE ROLE TITLE:

Regional Director Asia Pacific Country Offices

REPORTS TO:

Executive Director, Country Offices Management

SUPERVISES:

WWF International Managed Offices Asia Pacific Country

Directors, WWF International Regional Team, Asia Pacific

LOCATION:

Singapore

SALARY:

Competitive

START DATE:

As soon as possible

The Regional Director ensures continuous strong, highly performing WWF International Managed Offices in the Asia Pacific region comprising; Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, Mongolia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. S/he provides support and mentoring to the Country Directors and their country management teams to ensure the offices have the required capability to deliver high conservation impact and outcomes. Ensure the operations in each of the countries are managed to the highest standard and works with the Country Directors to find ways of improving effectiveness and efficiency as well as ensuring risk mitigation and compliance with the organisation’s reporting, policies, procedures and standards frameworks.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS Operational effectiveness Ensures all WWF International Managed Offices in the Asia Pacific region are effectively and efficiently managed in all areas and that all KPIs and office specific indicators are met – operations, finance, P&C, conservation, communication and fundraising – and are advancing. Responsible for the financial viability of each office and ensure that offices are able to provide accurate and regular reporting. Driving performance and achieving impact Working collaboratively and innovating fearlessly to achieve significant conservation impact across the region. Capability of growing an organization’s impact and building future leadership and talent within the organization. Institutional development Building strong offices through coaching, mentoring and capability transfer. As part of the Country Office Leadership Team (COLT), mobilise the necessary support to look at future options for the institutional development of the region, working closely with the Country Directors and other stakeholders. Oversight and accountability Ensure the offices have the systems in place to ensure good oversight and accountability; and the offices have rigorous systems of assurance to ensure risk is managed effectively, compliance requirements are fulfilled and that the offices are accountable for their performance.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Facilitates the development of a Strategic Plan (SP) for Asia Pacific Country Offices, (led by the respective Country Directors), ensuring effective conservation delivery and strong financial growth with the implementation and in alignment with WWF’s global goals. • In close coordination and consultation with WWF International, in line with the overall region’s strategic objectives and deliverables, leads in the development of an annual work plan and budget for the offices and monitors the effective implementation and delivery of results. • Ensures the existence of a feasible and practicable monitoring system for the WWF conservation programmes in the offices, and reports (technical, financial, operational) regularly in a timely manner to the relevant stake holders and WWF International Global Director – Country Programme Management on accomplishments in achieving objectives, shortfalls and rationale for any noncompliance with the agreed standards. • Ensures strong, effective Public Sector Partnerships (PSPs), Corporate Sector fundraising and partnership strategies are in place to scale up our conservation impact. • Line manages the Asia Pacific Conservation Impact Director to identify, ensure and accelerate the development, design and implementation of the most promising initiatives within Asia Pacific region that deliver the greatest impact on our Practice Outcomes. Ensures this role works with Practice Leaders, Focal Points and Conservation Directors in the Asia Pacific region to develop a common understanding of regional trends and opportunities. • Line manages the Asia Pacific Programme Quality Director to provide leadership, direction and capacity to support conservation quality, monitoring & evaluation and risk mitigation in the Asia Pacific Region to reinforce the WWF Global Network Performance, Accountability Framework and Impact Monitoring. Ensures this role will carry out the above in close coordination with members of the Asia Pacific Senior Management Team (SMT), especially the Conservation Impact Director.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Works in close collaboration with the Executive Director, Communications at WWF International and line manages the Asia Pacific Regional Head of Communications and Advocacy to develop a trusted, strong and influential Asia-Pacific conservation identity by achieving communications and advocacy excellence within the AsiaPacific programme offices and as a region. Ensures this role provides strategic support to the senior management teams (SMTs) on communications, advocacy and issues of reputational risk, working with national communications managers to develop mitigation and crisis response plans. • Works in close collaboration with the Director, People & Culture Country offices and line manages the Regional Head of People & Culture, Asia Pacific, to ensure readiness on delivery of all people agendas and in developing the most effective organisational design of the programme offices, ensuring they have the right functions, structures, management processes and people in place. Engages with and works closely with the OD community, where necessary on capacity building activities. • Line manages the Regional Head of Finance & Field Operations, Asia Pacific, on all financial matters ensuring effective stewardship of budgets and all monetary matters. Establishes and maintains a strong risk mitigation strategy and effective compliance protocols. • Drives and ensures leadership development in all offices with close collaboration with the Regional People & Culture lead and Director, People & Culture Country Offices, at WWF International. • Ensures the development of strong, effective and empowered offices and Country Directors with strong leadership in the region and a clear division of work between these offices. • Collaborates and works closely with the Executive Director, Country Offices Management and Director, Finance Country Offices on discussions related to the future evolution of the programme offices. • Co-chairs the Asia Pacific Shareholders group and works closely with the APGS team on broader regional opportunities and issues.

@ Karine Aigner/WWF

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Advanced degree in International Business Management, International Relations/Development, Finance and/or any other related fields. Must demonstrate a strong commitment to the environment and conservation. At least 10 years of professional experience in a senior leadership role, with demonstrated success in successfully leading and building institutions, and managing multiple donor budgets of several million plus dollars. At least 10 years of leadership and management experience in building organisations (see point above), with a proven track record of doing this whilst leading multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary teams in remote locations, in international organisations.

SKILLS & ABILITIES • Experience in working in Matrix and Network organisation and has the ability to lead and influence without formal authority. • A decisive and proactive leader with demonstrated experience in developing, implementing and evaluating strategic plans and excellent capacity in managing human and financial resources, possessing strong skills in project planning, financing, implementation and evaluation. • Exposure to and understanding of, policy, partnership, fund raising related work with demonstrated fund-raising skills and experience with donors private and institutional, and government aid agencies. • Possess high levels of negotiation, influencing and communication skills. Has the capacity to develop and maintain, and the ability to effectively operate at all levels and liaise with senior management staff in Country Offices and relevant staff in different functional areas, local communities, government agencies, governmental policy and decision makers, the business community, media, donors etc. in a positive manner. • Previous experience in working with international NGOs, driving change and high-performance, especially in developing countries as well as building strong institutions, will be an advantage. • Excellent written and spoken English. Any other languages, especially of those of the region, will be an added advantage. • Must be able to travel extensively and at times to do this with very short notice. • Knowledge of the WWF Network will be an advantage with a passion and commitment for conservation and sustainable development • Works to the highest level of integrity and confidentiality; with excellent understanding of social policies and safeguards. • Strong self-management, ability to work independently and with remote teams. • Identifies and aligns with the core values of the WWF organization: Courage, Collaboration, Respect & Integrity. • Demonstrates WWF behaviours in ways of working: strive for impact, listen deeply, collaborate openly and innovate fearlessly • Adheres to WWF’s brand values, which are: Knowledgeable, Optimistic, Determined and Engaging

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS INTERNAL

Works closely with the Executive Director – Country Offices Management, Executive Director, Finance & Quality Assurance, Country Office Leadership Team and other SMT and other Unit Heads of WWF International. Interacts frequently with CEOs and SMTs of WWF National Organisations.

EXTERNAL

Creates and fosters links with leaders in governments, intergovernmental institutions, business and industry, NGOs, local communities, donors and other strategic partners within the Asia Region and beyond as appropriate.

HOW TO APPLY Before applying, please check that you can answer yes to all the following questions: • Do you have a successful leadership experience with large scale, complex (multi-million) organisations? • Have you led impactful developmental work in at least one – preferably several – countries in Asia? • Do you have a very strong commitment to WWF’s missions and values? If you can answer yes to all the above questions, then please click here to apply. There you will need to complete a short application form and submit an up-to-date curriculum vitae (of no more than 2-3 pages) in MS Word, and a cover letter. Please prepare your CV and cover letter, as two separate documents, before applying as they will be requested at the end of the application form. The cover letter should be no more than 2 pages long – bullet points are acceptable. It should explain: • why you are interested in this role. • why you are interested in WWF • how your skills and experience make you a good fit. For guidance on preparing a statement, please see here. TIMELINE Closing date: Preliminary interviews: Final panel interviews:

May 6th Week of May 17th Early June – TBC

EQUALITY STATEMENT Equality and diversity are at the core of WWF International’s values. Staff are expected to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected. SELECTION PROCESS All candidates will be notified about the status of their applications. Shortlisted candidates may be required to undertake an additional assessment prior to the final interview. QUERIES If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information, or would like to have an informal discussion, please email wwf.international-rdap@oxfordhr.co.uk in the first instance.

ABOUT OXFORD HR

Oxford HR operates globally - mainly within the international development and charity sectors. We carry out retained executive search mandates at board and senior management levels. We also offer human resource and organisational development consultancy. Oxford HR has many years of experience in search as well as an extensive network of international development, social sector, corporate, public sector, and academic contacts from across the world. We carry out comprehensive and often international searches designed to meet the specific needs of our clients. Oxford HR’s team members have significant personal experience of working in international development and the social sector as well as the corporate and governmental sectors. We are in a unique position to find and assess talented individuals from a variety of backgrounds.

Cover Photo Credit © Simon Rawles © James Morgan / WWF-US © ashley@globalwarmingimages.net © Anup Shah © Juergen Freund © Shutterstock / Regien Paassen / WWF

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