Sr. Communications Specialist, Earth for Life

Major Function

The Senior Communications Specialist for the Earth for Life (EFL) team will support Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) and special projects related to protected and conserved area boundaries. The Senior Communications Specialist role is key to coordinating multi-departmental and cross-country communications efforts, providing demand-driven communications support that aligns with long-term, large-scale area-based conservation priorities and showcases the benefits these initiatives generate for communities, climate, and biodiversity.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and implement communications activities for PFP initiatives under implementation and other Earth for Life team special projects, ensuring and facilitating collaboration with Development and Donor Communications, Marketing and Communications, Executive Communications, Program, Country Office, Enduring Earth, WWF GEF Agency, WWF GCF Agency, and other communications partners.

• Prepare and implement short- and long-term communications work plans for PFP initiatives under implementation and special projects, in collaboration with Director, Earth for Life Communications, EFL PFP Implementation Lead, and Country Office communications staff.

• Collaborate closely with the EFL PFP Implementation Lead on the reporting requirements for each PFP in implementation by reviewing and assisting in development of donor materials. Manage and update a comprehensive reporting calendar for all PFPs in implementation.

• Coordinate with Enduring Earth partners on PFP implementation lessons learned and best practices and wider EFL learning efforts in collaboration with Director, Earth for Life Communications, PFP Implementation Lead, and other EFL staff.

• For special projects related to protected and conserved area boundaries, develop targeted communications and advocacy plans by assisting in strategy and messaging development, materials production, and dissemination.

• Support consistent program information management, messaging, and storytelling across WWF and partner teams, channels, and materials. Draft, review, and edit written program materials; coordinate interdepartmental and cross-country reviews; and oversee materials production and dissemination.

• Fulfill communications requests from Development, Marketing and Communications, Executive, Program, Country Office and other departments to manage information, provide content reviews, and other tasks in service of communications objectives.

• Contribute to the maintenance of a cohesive web presence for Earth for Life team’s work on internal and external WWF websites and the team library of communications materials, including talking points, messaging documents, presentation decks, and reports.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Key Competencies

• Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Effectively conveys information to internal and external audiences through clear and concise oral, written, and interpersonal communication. Works cooperatively with others to achieve mutual understanding, demonstrating empathy, actively listening, and contributing to a collaborative work environment.

• Collaborative and Cultural Skills: Adapts communication and collaboration to different cultural backgrounds, levels of seniority, and objectives. Shows cultural awareness and responds to partner needs to support lasting, sustainable conservation outcomes. Builds productive working relationships in a complex, matrix environment.

• Independence and Initiative: Thinks proactively about how to advance the objectives; pursues and manages works independently of external input when appropriate, while remaining in communication and coordination with the team; adapts to situations where making progress demands both independent and team-based strategies, and understands the strengths and weaknesses of both approaches.

• Organizational Effectiveness and Accountability: Establishes and regularly reassesses work plans and short-term goals. Adapts to changing priorities by managing workload strategically. Consistently tracks and manages multiple workstreams and tasks simultaneously over extended periods.

• Bachelor's degree in communications, international studies, or other relevant subject ideally related to conservation, plus a minimum of six years’ program or other professional experience in communications (or advanced degree with three or more years’ professional communications experience).

• Strong written and verbal communication skills are required. 

• Spanish proficiency is preferred.

• Knowledge of area-based conservation, Indigenous peoples and local communities, sustainable development, and sustainable finance issues is preferred.

• Solutions-oriented and proactive in creative critical thinking.

• Strong relational skills with a willingness to work both collaboratively and independently.

• Ability to set priorities, manage a multitude of details simultaneously, and collaborate effectively in a matrixed team environment.  

• Proficiency with Microsoft office software (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) required.

• 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

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.  

Relocation is not provided for this position.

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