Specialist, Engagement and Capacity Development - 25072

Overview

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a Specialist, Engagement and Capacity Development. 

Major Function 

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks an Engagement and Capacity Development Specialist to play a central role in WWF’s Collaborative Network for Valuing Earth (CONVEI) — a partnership with NASA—to study and improve the role of information in decision-making. The Specialist will be responsible for a dynamic fellowship program, designed to evaluate and communicate the societal benefits generated by Earth Science Information (ESI). They will manage relationships with fellows and project leads, facilitate learning and collaboration across our interdisciplinary community, and identify and develop diverse and impactful case studies. This position will support the team to expand the community of practice valuing ESI, foster capacity development for researchers new to values assessments, and ensure effective implementation and strategic communication across complex stakeholder engagements. 

Salary Range: $76,600 - $95,700

Please note: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.  In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.  

Responsibilities

• Identifies potential case studies that broaden the community valuing Earth Science Information (ESI) and in particular Earth Observations (EO), with an emphasis on small organizations actively using EO. 

• Leads promotion and recruitment efforts to attract and match a diverse group of fellows to suitable projects. 

• Scopes and nominates potential projects, including identifying methods specialists and potential case study leads, collaborating closely with CONVEI leadership. 

• Develops an onboarding program and onboards approximately 5-7 new fellows per year. 

• Manages fellow agreements, in partnership with WWF Global Science and Program Operations colleagues, including technical and financial reviews, use of the SmartSimple platform, and helps ensure compliance with donor requirements.  

• Maintains strong relationships with stakeholders, including fellows and project leads, for engagement, coordination, and project management.  

• Coordinates regular virtual cohort meetings to foster engagement, learning, and collaboration. Facilitates structured learning and sharing sessions at the start and end of projects. 

• Engages proactively with end users and decision-makers to co-develop or refine case studies. 

• Introduces and facilitates testing of the VOICES guide through practical case study applications. Gathers comprehensive feedback on the VOICES guide from both fellows and case study leads to continuously refine resources. Compiles and synthesizes case study summaries for integration into a comprehensive case library and the VOICES guide. 

• Other duties as assigned.  

Key Competencies 

• Communicating Effectively: Translates complex valuation methods and findings into compelling capacity-building materials (workshops, infographics, webinars), tailoring messages to executive leadership and external audiences to secure buy-in and inspire action.

• Adaptability/Flexibility: Embraces change by quickly learning and iterating new engagement tools and methodologies; treats emerging challenges as opportunities to refine CONVEI’s digital and facilitation resources. 

• Diplomatic Communication and Organizational Savvy: This includes discernment, and sound judgement with confidential and sensitive information, and desire to understand the history and relationships that impact processes and behaviors.

• Interpersonal insight: the ability to accurately understand and interpret other people’s thoughts, feelings, motivations, and behaviors.

   

Qualifications

• MUST HAVE Bachelor’s degree

• MUST HAVE 4+ years professional experience in networking, engagement, capacity development, coordinator, project/program management, higher education etc

  • Conducts in-depth research and analysis to inform program strategy and decision-making.

  • Communicates complex issues clearly and effectively across diverse audiences, both in writing and verbally.

  • Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills, using tact and diplomacy to build and maintain positive stakeholder relationships.

  • Manages multi-party projects with precision, tracking progress, ensuring timely deliverables, and synthesizing impact for continuous improvement.

  • Operates independently under pressure, maintaining flexibility and meeting tight deadlines.

  • Builds and sustains cross-sector partnerships to support fellow recruitment, stakeholder engagement, and co-development of case studies.

  • Plans and executes cohort activities; including onboarding, convenings, and progress reviews. With a focus on alignment, accountability, and results.

• Experience managing a capacity development or higher education fellowship program and/or fellow cohort preferred.  

• Demonstrated experience in elevating issues and communicating effectively with leadership as they arise. 

• Familiarity with Microsoft 365 suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint). 

• Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams. 

• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values: 

  • COURAGE – We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where it’s needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home. 

  • INTEGRITY – We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability and transparency, and we rely on facts and science to guide us and to ensure that we learn and evolve. 

  • RESPECT – We honor the voices and knowledge of people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future. 

  • COLLABORATION – We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation. 

To Apply: 

• Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page, Requisition #25072

• Due to the high volume of applications, we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone 

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) promotes equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals regardless of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.