Global Director, People & Places

Building a future in which people live in harmony with nature 

WWF, established in 1961, is the world’s leading independent conservation organisation with a global network working in more than 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the decline of our planet’s natural environment and to build a future where people live in harmony with nature. WWF International Secretariat facilitates and supports the network in the implementation of its global strategies and initiatives and manages and supports 34 WWF Country Offices. Working with communities, businesses 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.  

WWF International is searching for an exceptional leader with strong management skills to step into the role of Global Director, People & Places. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in the field of inclusive conservation leadership. As the Global Director, People & Places, you'll lead a team specialising in area-based conservation, wildlife crime prevention, law enforcement, inclusive conservation, and human rights advocacy. Your primary objective will be to establish standards for effective program and project design that promote inclusive conservation across the WWF Network. 

You will also ensure that best practices are widely shared across the network, serving as a central resource for WWF. This entails ensuring that everyone is familiar with inclusive conservation methods and policies. Additionally, you'll play a key role in integrating human rights and safeguards into all of WWF's conservation efforts, ensuring these principles are fundamental to the work. 

This is an exciting and challenging role, to excel you will need a passion for environmental conservation and sustainable development, coupled with critical thinking skills. Extensive experience in inclusive area-based conservation and working with indigenous peoples and local communities is essential. Ideally, you'll possess a degree in natural resource management, international relations, or a related field, along with at least 20 years of leadership experience. Most importantly, you will bring a deep passion for WWF’s vision and mission and demonstrated commitment to inclusive nature conservation, embracing the WWF values of the organisation: 

Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration.

If you're ready to lead the way in inclusive conservation and help shape a better future for our planet, we encourage you to apply. Join us at WWF International and become part of the solution. Apply now and let's work together for a world where people and nature thrive in harmony.

To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter, detailing how you fulfil the role description and personal specification to: recruitmentGDPPG@wwfinternationalcco.com. The deadline for applications is Friday 12^th April at 09.00 CEST.  

The role is ideally based in one of WWF's Key Hubs and the salary is commensurate with the seniority of the role. Candidates must be fluent in English. A working knowledge in French or Spanish are an asset.

For a conversation in confidence, please contact Ryann Schutt on +44 (0) 20 7340 6224 or by emailing at: recruitmentGDPPG@wwfinternationalcco.com.

Should you require access to these documents in alternative formats, please contact Lucy Cooke 

Longlisted candidates will be invited to interview in late April and the Selection Committee will subsequently meet to decide upon a final shortlist for the post in mid-May.  Following which, final interviews with the Selection Panel will take place at the end of May.