World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a Senior Program Officer, Animal Ag Systems

Major Function

Working under the supervision of the Senior Director, Sustainable Livestock and Feed Systems, the Senior Program Officer assists with the planning, coordination, communication, and implementation of program priorities and activities related to Sustainable Animal Ag Systems in the United States and globally. The SPO, Animal Ag Systems oversees a cross-cutting portfolio of projects and relationships with key entities as an integral member of the Animal Ag Systems team, which is part of Freshwater & Food. The incumbent provides technical expertise representing dynamic aspects of the animal protein industry and livestock commodity supply chains and collaborates internally with colleagues in other parts of Freshwater & Food, Markets, Forest, Oceans, and Climate, as well as across the WWF Network. The SPO will support the development, design, and implementation of the overall Animal Ag Systems strategy, and will work to build, manage, and evolve WWF’s cross-cutting, global portfolio of projects, relationships, research areas, and thought leadership to advance our conservation objectives, and support communications, outreach, and resource mobilization. The SPO helps represent WWF-US and maintain relationships internally with our Network and externally with key industry and producer organizations, stakeholders, local communities, and partners, including those working with beef, dairy, poultry, eggs, and swine commodities, to help influence and drive sustainability initiatives designed to reduce the negative impacts of animal ag production on climate change, biodiversity, soil health, and freshwater ecosystems.

• Serves within WWF as a key technical expert regarding aspects of animal ag systems and feed, supply chain production, and key issues, trends, and challenges for key commodities, including beef, dairy, eggs, poultry, and swine.
• Assists with program and project management by responding to technical requests, data, analysis, and information.
• Engages with colleagues on a portfolio of projects, activities, and workstreams related to the sustainable production and consumption of animal ag commodities, including where these are critical to WWF’s priority landscape conservation efforts.
• Works directly with project personnel, grantees, donors, consultants, and others to facilitate coordination, communication, and regular project reporting. Drafts, reviews, and edits written program materials. Prepares and/or finalizes scopes of work, budgets, and administrative information for contracts and to ensure compliance with donor requirements.
• Develops proposals and plans for funding from private foundations, the private sector, and/or bilateral or multilateral development agencies. Develops, plans, and implements oversight of new and ongoing field projects and grants. Facilitates and coordinates the preparation of short- and long-term project workplans.
• Monitors and analyzes new technical information, policy development issues, and trends related to the program and advises others accordingly. Keeps abreast of issues, partners, and other stakeholders in areas in which WWF has an ongoing interest. Responsible for acquiring and gathering data relevant to specific conservation projects from conservation peers, governmental agencies, and universities.
• Reviews the performance outcomes and status of all activities and evaluates and reports these results, as well as recommendations for corrective action. May travel to project sites to monitor and evaluate project progress and reports back, verbally and in writing.
• Coordinates and facilitates communication, collaboration, and coordination between relevant initiatives within Freshwater and Food related to Animal Ag Systems, including our landscape work in the Northern Great Plains, Rio Grande/Rio Bravo, the Amazon, Cerrado, and the Chaco-Pantanal.
• Maintains close relationships and coordination with key colleagues across the WWF network, including in the Food, Freshwater, Forest, and Markets Practice
• Maintains relationships with key organizations, platforms, and stakeholders relevant to the Animal Ag portfolio and represents WWF-US internally and externally as appropriate.
• Supports the coordination and logistics with convenings, thought leadership dialogues, and stakeholder consultations as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• A bachelor degree is required; a graduate degree in an appropriate field is a PLUS (An MBA or other degree related to agribusiness, supply chain management, or livestock nutrition).
• 5+ years of work experience in relevant area REQUIRED:
  • Including livestock production, marketing, trade, animal nutrition, feed sustainability, international agriculture production, certification of agriculture, agribusiness management, agricultural program and policy.
  • Experience working with governments, NGOs, global organizations, bilateral and multilateral organizations on agricultural issues, specifically livestock systems, is an advantage.
  • Experience or ability to frame livestock work in a broader food system setting, as it relates to regenerative agriculture, water, soil, climate, grasslands, biodiversity and livelihoods.
  • Data analysis and technology skills; familiarity with agricultural technology, including data analysis tools, traceability tools, precision farming, and others regrading the supply chain. (with emphasis on the private sector preferred.)
• Open to 5-10% travel
• Local candidates strongly preferred, but open to remote for the ideal candidate.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presentation skills.
  • How to partner with business, fundraising, international policy knowledge is a PLUS
  • A high level of interpersonal skills is required, especially relationship management skills, negotiation and facilitation skills, and the ability to work as part of a high-level, diverse, international team.
  • Excellent project management and organizational skills; knowledge, experience and certification using project management tools a plus.
  • Excellent research, analytical and synthesis skills
  • Excellent professional judgement and personal work ethic, a self-reflective learner who is open to growth and continuous learning opportunities through constructive feedback, support, and mentorship.
  • Ability to operate with independence and under pressure, to meet deadlines and commitments; a proactive self-starter who is self-reflective, a problem-solver, and not afraid of making mistakes or asking for help.

• Ability to work on initiatives with multiple and competing priorities.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a matrixed, cross-cutting, and global team with a wide range of diverse individuals across cultures, geographies, and time zones.
• Domestic and international travel required, up to 25%
• Fluency in English required.
  • Knowledge of additional languages such as Spanish, Portuguese, French, Mandarin, Vietnamese, or Thai preferred.
• Commitment to F&F values of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI)
• 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.

WWF is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and requires all US-based staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. WWF will consider requests for accommodation from the vaccine requirement based on disability, medical contraindication, sincerely held religious belief, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

To Apply:

• Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page, Requisition #24062
• Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone

As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status. WWF values diversity and inclusion and welcomes diverse candidates to apply.