Vacancies

Head of Communications & Campaigns (GCEI)
Administration Assistant: Business Development
Mining Engagement Officer

WWF’s climate and energy vision is a response both to the science and to new economic and political realities, with a focus on achieving climate-resilient, low-carbon development on the national level and with the corporate sector.

Reporting directly to the Leader of Global Climate and Energy Initiative, this is one of the key roles within the WWF network. The incumbent will drive and lead both internal and external communications and campaigning activities to increase the public profile and deliver the objectives of the initiative. Being an active member of CGEI Management Team, s/he will play a vital role in coordinating virtual team within the WWF network in communicating and advocating GCEI’s policy and outreach goals.

We are looking for a dynamic, enthusiastic and creative candidate with excellent experience in cross-cultural communications, media or campaigns. We seek a candidate who has proven leadership skills, line management experience, and track record in developing successful campaigns as scale (political, consumer or public). The incumbent should demonstrate an excellent ability to coordinate multi-office, international activities, and a virtual team.

Mission of the Initiative: The Global Climate and Energy Initiative works to promote national and business sector action, and international agreement, that will put the world on track to equitable, low-carbon, and climate-resilient development.

To this end, the Initiative’s major duties include:

• Intensive national-level efforts to promote low carbon development in key countries and thereby both contribute to reducing emissions, and pave the way to a credible, fair and ambitious global climate regime. These efforts will focus on the largest emitters;
• A concerted global advocacy effort, in the UN negotiations and other fora, including high level engagement with business in support of climate regulation and with active engagement with vulnerable developing countries;
• The global partnerships and communications efforts necessary to underpin these efforts.

Major Functions: The Head, Communications & Campaigns, is responsible for leading and managing internal and external communications and campaigning activities to deliver the objectives of GCEI. He or she will work to increase the initiative’s public profile, communicate and advocate strategically to support GCEI’s policy and outreach goals, and support its advocacy efforts; and coordinate communications on climate and energy within the WWF network of offices. He/she will lead the further development and implementation of the GCEI communications and campaigning strategy; be an active member of the GCEI Management Team; and build and coordinate a virtual team in the WWF network to deliver measurable results.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develops and implements the GCEI communications and campaigns strategy(ies);
• Increases the public profile and impact of WWF, and particularly GCEI, on climate and energy issues;
• Helps to position the GCEI Leader as a recognised international spokesperson in this field;
• Use strategic communications, including media relations and social media, to support and enhance GCEI’s policy and advocacy activities;
• Creates and maintains a virtual team of WWF network communicators on climate and energy issues, and coordinates WWF communications on these issues;
• Ensures excellent and effective internal communication of GCEI activities;
• Active member of the GCEI Management Team;
• Line manager for comms and campaigns staff within GCEI;
• Delivers a balanced budget and contributes to fundraising efforts;
• Complies with all WWF International reporting, performance monitoring and review requirements that relate to communications and campaigns;
• Carries out any such reasonable duties as delegated from the GCEI leader.

Profile:

Required Qualifications

• Significant (5+ yrs), high-level international communications, media or campaigns experience;
• Extensive experience in cross-cultural communication;
• Work experience in communications, media, business or politics in an emerging economy is a strong plus;
• Knowledge of and experience with development and/or environment issues;
• Proven track record in developing successful campaigns at scale (political, consumer or public);
• Experience with new as well as traditional media;
• Degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Leadership and line mgt experience (3+ yrs);
• Excellent ability to coordinate multi-office, international activities, and to work in a virtual team;
• Strong organisational and interpersonal skills;
• Excellent communications skills, both written and oral;
• Excellent command of English; other languages an asset;
• Adheres to WWF’s values, which are: Knowledgeable, Optimistic, Determined and Engaging.

Working Relationships:

Internal - GCEI management and core teams; GCEI communications and campaigns staff (line management); relevant staff in WWF network, including communications, business engagement, markets, finance, and climate and energy teams.

External – National and international media representatives; NGO partners, government, business, the public, and other external audiences as needed.

This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organisational needs.

Interested candidates kindly email a covering letter and CV to hr@wwf.org.za.

Please ensure you add the following reference in your e-mail subject line: Ref: Head of Communications & Campaigns.

Deadline for applications: Sunday, 12th February 2012.  

Administration Assistant will provide administrative and secretarial support to the Head: Business Development by monitoring and controlling internal processes, projects, tasks and activities. Administrative assistance will also be provided to staff within the Business Development Unit in terms of budget control, submission of claims and coordination of WWF events.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide an efficient, confidential and professional secretarial service
• Independent drafting of letters on behalf of the Head: Business Development
• Daily management of diary
• Travel arrangements (national & international), including accommodation, car hire, forex and itineraries
• Provide office administration services to the Business Development team as required (photocopying, printing, packaging and distribution)
• Maintain an accurate filing system
• Plan, coordinate and organise various meetings, conferences and events
• Participate in meetings and compile minutes
• Upload data and maintain records of key contacts on the CRM system
• Prepare reports, presentations, proposals and correspondence
• Assist in the preparation of divisional budgets and expenses

Further responsibilities:

• Assists team in maintaining files and databases
• Prepares reports, presentations, memorandums, proposals and correspondence
• Schedules appointments and meetings for executives and team as required
• Serves as the go-to for office inquiries and conflicts
• Manages staff schedules
• Tracks office supply inventory and approves supply orders
• Assists in the preparation of department budgets and expenses

Meetings/event administration:

• Plan, coordinate and organise various meetings, conferences and events, including venue reservations
• Preparation of agendas, participate in meetings and rapid preparation of accurate minutes
• Organise events including drafting and sending invitations, managing responses, reservation of venues, catering and accommodating appreciation of attendance to attendees
• Receive visitors and provide refreshments for the Business Development team guests

Travel arrangements:

• Compile itineraries
• Local and international flight reservations
• Foreign Exchange requirements
• Car hire arrangements
• Directions for travel and parking
• Accommodation reservations
• Prepare and submit all claims

Skills and experience:

• Minimum of 3 years’ business administration experience
• Project management and customer relationship management experience
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, MS Outlook, Access)
• Good English verbal and written communication skills
• A meticulous approach to work and keen attention to detail
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• Deadline oriented and problem-solving skills
• Good planning and organising skills
• Ability to multi task
• Professional individual with good interpersonal skills

Further information:

To apply please provide a detailed CV and covering letter fully motivating why you should be appointed to the position, together with the names, current e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of three relevant references to the Executive Manager: HR at hr@wwf.org.za.

Applications close on 14 February 2012.

WWF seeks to promote diversity among its staff. Candidates who have not received a response within three weeks of the closing date should assume that their application has been unsuccessful. WWF-SA reserves the right not to fill this position.  

Mining and prospecting applications are being sought in some of the most sensitive water production/biodiversity areas within the Enkangala Grassland Project (EGP) domain and as a result, interaction with the mining sector is vital to ensure that information sharing, awareness creation and adherence to legislation results in such areas not being mined but rather protected from unsustainable development.

This exciting job opportunity thus has as its primary focus, sustained engagement with the mining sector and its influence/impact within the EGP domain (which spans Southern Mpumalanga, Northern KZN and the South-Eastern Free State).

Key responsibilities:

• Access, quantify and maintain GIS and written records of all prospecting/mining applications and/or rights within EGP priority areas
• Comment on such applications and ensure inclusion in all relevant consultation processes
• Negotiate best possible outcomes from water/food/environment perspective with applicants
• Develop strategic partnerships and ensure implementation of WWF mining strategy / Coal-Water report findings and other relevant initiatives (e.g. SANBI grasslands and mining work) within EGP priority areas
• Ensure effective media strategy is implemented to highlight achievements and inform mining industry of initiative
• Engage DMR on proactive / reactive level and develop partnerships
• Inform and steer relevant legal engagements when required

Skills / requirements:

• A recognised post grad qualification in the environmental or natural resource management field (preferably with an environmental law component)
• At least three years experience in the conservation, natural resources management or related field, preferably with multi-disciplined project management experience would be an added advantage (Preference will be given to candidates with experience in interacting with a diverse range of role players)
• A valid South African resident status
• Computer literacy in MS Office
• GIS literacy
• The successful candidate should be skilled in communications (written and verbal), able to facilitate identification of stakeholder needs and develop effective responses
• Strong negotiation abilities are required to develop and nurture effective partnerships with relevant landowners, landowner associations, conservation / environmental organisations and governmental agencies
• A background in dealing with farming communities would be advantageous
• Ability to speak, read and write English and Afrikaans is vital
• Ability to speak Zulu would be an added advantage
• A valid drivers license (Code 8) accompanied by a willingness and ability to travel (note: project vehicle will be provided)

Further details:
The successful candidate will join the WWF Grasslands team consisting of the Coordinator: Enkangala Grassland Project, Invasive Alien Species Control Officer, Biodiversity Stewardship Officers and the Grassland Projects Leader. Visit our website www.wwf.org.za for comprehensive description of the Biodiversity Unit and WWF’s Grasslands conservation work.

For further information please contact Angus Burns.

To apply please provide a covering letter motivating why you should be considered for this exciting position together with a short CV (not longer than 4 pages), with current e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of three references to Angus Burns at egtproject@mweb.co.za or post applications to: P O Box 21106, Newcastle, 2940 by close of business 21 February 2012.

Candidates who have received no response within three weeks of the closing date should kindly assume that their application has not been successful. WWF-SA reserves the right not to fill this position.