Emirates Nature is a UAE environmental non-governmental organization, established under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s representative in the Western Region and Chairman of Environmental Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD).

We work in association with WWF (hereafter EN-WWF), one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations. EN-WWF has been active in the UAE since 2001 and has successfully initiated and implemented several conservation and education projects and initiatives in the region.

Major tasks and responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Strategy review and growth: Support the unit in delivering the conservation strategy by tracking progress and identifying strategic opportunities for growth in line with the organization strategy and UAE broader context. Support the director in charting our new opportunities and supporting in developing the suggested staffing approach, resource allocation, budget and team development as needed and agreed with CCO.
• Administrative & operational: Oversee the delivery of the unit workplans, financial and operational requirements linked to project management tools, internal reporting, development of PowerPoint presentations and communication tools, tracking finances, updating budgets and scheduling support.
• Project implementation oversight: Collaborate with project teams to ensure consistent progress in project tracking, budget management and financial reporting (monthly, quarterly reviews).Check in with project teams to identify upcoming areas of needed support by CCO, and gather information needed by CCO to report internally to management team. Support the Unit Director in overseeing the operations, implementation, and tracking of progress of conservation projects.
• Donor reporting: organizing donor communication, reviewing donor reports and scheduling appropriate times for reporting needs. Prepare and/or review regular reports to donors, the board, and external stakeholders, providing updates on project status, achievements, and challenges.
• Stakeholder management & engagement: support in facilitating, preparing for and organizing stakeholder meetings which may include: briefing CCO on stakeholders and conducting background research, developing PowerPoint presentations, facilitating and coordinating the follow up tasks from meetings, coordinating and communicating with project teams on tasks, planning for next steps and setting up subsequent meetings.
• Impact Monitoring: Follow monitoring and evaluation processes to measure and report project success against impact, refine existing process and implement it in ways to allow strategic oversight of project implementation. This may include: setting up, coordinating and facilitating regular team engagements on monitoring and evaluation to increase communication on progress towards objectives and track areas improvement, challenges and next steps. Work with CCO to identify new opportunities to broaden / strengthen the conservation impact.
• Business development: Work with relevant internal stakeholders to coordinate and develop proposals for donors. Ensure regular and appropriate communication with fundraising opportunities, tracking them consistently on project management platforms used by organization. Research new leads and potential funding opportunities using network or desktop research. Work with the BD and marketing teams towards individual donations, metrics, campaign messaging in liaison with technical leads.
• Networking & Outreach: proactively identify opportunities for CCO to be present in conferences and speaking opportunities that raises awareness on the conservation and climate portfolio of work being implemented by EN-WWF. Track leads and stakeholders through project management tools to help track and identify next steps with each with CCO.
• Miscellaneous: Stay updated on the latest trends, research, and best practices in conservation to contribute to the continuous improvement of the organizations conservation efforts. Be proactive in evaluating the trends in the UAE and globally to support the technical and business development efforts of the conservation unit, including the identification of potential funding opportunities and the development of proposals. Identify opportunities to improve internal communication and information sharing.
• Team building: support in identifying opportunities for unit team building and support in organizing, delivering and following up on activities and needs of unit. Provide guidance and support to team members, promoting a collaborative and high-performance work environment. Collaborate with internal teams to build and maintain strong relationships, ensuring effective communication and coordination internally across projects and units.

• Minimum of twelve (12) years of proven track record in environmental management, corporate sustainability, nature conservation or relevant coordination and leadership roles relevant to the sector.
• Master’s degree in environmental management/science, or conservation biology
• Fluent in English (written/spoken), Arabic is preferable.
• High level of cultural sensitivity and awareness with ability to work in a multi-cultural setting.
• High emotional intelligence when working with team and cross functionally and the ability to perform and communicate effectively in challenging situations.
• Proven experience in leading teams and fostering a collaborative working environment.
• Proven knowledge and or experience in the non-for-profit sector, preferably of environmental non-government organizations.

Emirates Nature-WWF Focus: Acts as a member of Emirates Nature-WWF, placing higher priority on Emirates Nature-WWF goals than own goals and anticipating the effects of own area’s actions on others to ensure holistic Emirates Nature-WWF outcomes.

External Orientation: Looks outwards ensuring WWF stays relevant, continues to anticipate and adapt to external environmental and global trends.

Delivering Quality Outcomes: Establishes stretch goals, plans, using best judgment and takes responsibility for planning to and delivering on outcomes.

Building Working Relationships: Builds collaborative relationships through the understanding and development of other’s and own ideas.

Communicating Effectively: Uses appropriate means of communication to convey messages, seeks input from others and ensures understanding.

Leading Teams: Develops direction and shared purpose, builds a team through coaching to ensure the accomplishment of goals and high level team performance.

Leading Change: Encourages and seeks out innovative solutions and brings people on a journey constructively and empathetically.

Managing Resources: Makes the right judgments based on financial and resource availability.

Establishing Strategic Direction: Generates options to achieve long-range goals, selects the best strategies for success and delivers on strategic goals.

• Analytical skills; able to write detailed technical reports
• Synthesize technical concepts into non-technical summaries
• Impact driven and with high attention to details
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to adapt quickly to project management tools
• Good knowledge of MS Office
• Adaptable, flexible, able to take initiative and prioritize among competing demands

Internal: Work closely with the Conservation Unit - project teams, technical leads (programme heads) – and across multiple units (Operations, BD, Marketing)

External: Works closely with Stakeholders, Consultants and Suppliers

• The final detailed project governance will be shared upon commencement.

Emirates Nature-WWF is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome diversity in the workplace and offer a flexible and diverse place of employment.

Please send your application consisting of a cover letter explaining why you are the right candidate to work with EN-WWF and your CV with the subject ‘Application for Associate Head - Conservation’ to the attention of Ms Magdalena Tayoun on before 29th February 2024.