Conservation Director

Position Title: Conservation Director
Reports to:
Dotted line report:
Supervises:
Location:
Country Director
Director of Conservation Impact, Africa
Transboundary, multi-country and in-country Landscape
Coordinators, Program managers and technical advisors
Kampala
Want to make a positive difference to the future of people and our one shared home,
the Earth? Working at WWF could be your opportunity of a lifetime.
All around the world, people are waking up to deepening crisis of nature loss. A growing
realization that nature is our life-support system. And that nobody will be spared from the
impacts of its loss. Here at WWF, we are helping tackle this enormous global challenge. Our
people come from hugely diverse backgrounds and with a variety of expertise, ranging from
HR and Finance to advocacy and conservation science. We welcome applications from
anyone who believes they can help us create a better future for people and wildlife.
What we do
We are an independent conservation organization, striving to sustain the natural world for the
benefit of people and wildlife. From individuals and communities to business and government,
we are part of a growing coalition calling on world leaders to set nature on the path of recovery
by 2030. Together, we seek to protect and restore natural habitats, stop the mass extinction
of wildlife, and make the way we produce and consume sustainable.
We are looking for a dynamic enthusiastic and highly qualifies person to fill the position of
Conservation Director
Job Summary
The Conservation Director leads the delivery of transformational and lasting conservation
impact by building and leading WWF – UCO’s Conservation Programmes, ensuring
coherent integration of thematic and geographical programmes as presented in the Country
Strategic Plan. He/she leads the tactical direction of UCO’s Conservation Agenda in
partnership with key international, governmental and local partners. He/she will engage with
Ugandan local civil society to support them in taking ownership of the future of natural
capital management. By doing so, he/she will facilitate the further embedding of WWF –
UCO in the Uganda civil society, thus, enhancing our relevance to conservation and rural
development work in the country.
Working closely with the Country Director, he/she supports the engagement with multilateral
and bilateral institutions to influence the policies around key conservation issues. He/she also
mediates the WWF network’s engagement (through Practices) to maintain the alignment of
WWF – UCO critical contributions to the WWF Global Goals
In this regard, the Conservation Director will;
Conservation Strategy development and Implementation;
● Lead the development/implementation of the Country Conservation strategy and
programmes and ensure alignment with WWF’s Global Goals, Road Map 2030 and Africa
Regional Strategic Framework.
● Lead in the development and management of a holistic programme and ensure strong
coordination between the different strategic (thematic) pillars and the geographical
programmes (landscapes).
● Coordinate with WWF National Offices and partners on conservation related issues
(policy, advocacy, programmatic) and concerns, facilitating effective working relationships
and ensuring “one voice” from the network to strengthen the governance of the natural
capital in Uganda.
● Ensure WWF-UCO representation in strategic technical internal and external
Conservation forums.
● Ensure WWF – UCO’s Conservation Strategy is developed, thoroughly planned,
maintained and respected, and that “lessons learned” are available for future reference
and use by the WWF.
● Establish linkages between WWF’s vision and conservation objectives of the Uganda
Government as well as those of the donor community.
● Stay on top of the development of conservation and development trends (e.g. SDGs,
CBD, INGA, Nature-based solutions, and Carbon market/financing) and inform colleagues
and partners of new conservation initiatives, approaches, strategies, etc. for better
integration into the WWF – UCO programmatic strategy.
● Coordinate the preparation of strategic documents, guidelines, and other materials
required to guide the conservation vision of the WWF – UCO programme.
● Provide advice to the Country Director on pertinent conservation issues, technical input in
strategic documents and other ad hoc advice and assistance as needed.
Program design and Implementation;
● Manage performance and build capacity of conservation staff and provide technical advice
as appropriate.
● Ensure planning of conservation programmes is maintained and respected by overseeing
the work of the Programme/Project managers, and compile lessons learned for future
reference and use by the WWF.
● Contribute to the building of the next generation of conservationists focusing on youth and
women and supporting the promotion of inclusivity in WWF-Uganda conservation
approaches.
● In collaboration with the P&C Manager, ensure necessary human resources are in place
to deliver on the Conservation Strategy by coordinating the elaboration of job descriptions
and terms of reference for new conservation staff and consultants with Programme/
Project managers and participate in recruitment processes.
● Ensure the Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework is embedded in the WWF-
Uganda Conservation delivery across landscapes.
● Lead the development of the WWF – Uganda annual operational plan, the preparation of
annual budgets and other reports to submit to the regional office (WWF-ROA), donors
and to the Uganda office.
● Ensure project/ programme financial resources are responsibly managed.
● In collaboration with practice leaders, ensure leadership and accountability for the WWF–
Uganda overall critical contributions delivery in line with the Network’s Global Goals.
Fundraising and Resource Mobilization;
● Support the Resource Mobilization/ Strategic partnership of Senior Manager,
Communications Comm, Marketing and Brand Senior Manager, and the Country
Director in fundraising through provision and development of transformational project
ideas.
● Contribute to critical relationship building with financial and political partners to ensure
influencing policy and enhancing WWF – Uganda’s donor base.
● Ensure technical backstopping for the development of big programmatic proposals.
● Support the promotion of new funding models and their integration into the
conservation approach
Policy and Partnership Development;
● Support the Country Director in liaising with donors and strategic governmental
partners through different ministries to contribute to policy changes and
improvements.
● Liaise with the respective Policy Advisors on policy development and advocacy.
● Advise the Country Director on Policy dialogues and influence in various areas both
with the WWF Network, Uganda institutions and with regional institutions.
● Ensure active participation of WWF’s partners in the Conservation Programme and
its development as well as strengthening partners’ capacities in pre-identified areas.
● Develop synergies between WWF’s partners to ensure experience sharing and
strengthen lobby / advocacy capacity at national level.
● Support the development of Jurisdictional programmes (Green Economy) in Uganda.
WWF Representation;
● Represent WWF Uganda in meetings with government, industry leaders, key
supporters and stakeholders.
● Promotes the vision and objectives of the WWF Uganda Strategic Plan to
government, donor, civil society, corporate, and WWF stakeholders at national- and
international-level meetings, conferences, and fora, in collaboration with the CLT
members as appropriate.
Line Management;
● Ensure that all conservation staff perform according to their JDs and performance
plans.
● Coach, support, mentor conservation staff;
● Perform periodic assessments for direct reports and oversee assessments for all
conservation staff
Required Qualifications and Experience
● At least 10 years professional experience in a leadership role, 3-5 years of which
should be in the East African region (preferably Uganda), with demonstrated success
in managing multi-disciplinary teams;
● Proven experience in designing, developing and implementing landscape
programming preferably transboundary and or multi-country programming is a strong
advantage.
● Superior oral and written communication skills in English.
● Proven experience in managing programs funded by diversity of sources including
government, aid agencies and private sector with annual budgets of at least USD 1-
2 Millions
● Fluency in other Uganda national languages will be an added advantage
● Demonstrable and strong leadership in external engagement, strategic partnerships,
policy and influence with public, private sector and funding agencies;
● Empowering leadership style in developing strong senior management and
operations teams to enhance programme delivery, quality assurance, operational
efficiency and risk management.
● Excellent people, team building skills to facilitate the work of others, communications
skills and ability to create and excel in a dynamic working environment.
● Demonstrated experience in working effectively with local communities, governments,
non-profit organizations, and the private/corporate sector to build partnerships and
achieve common objectives.
● Knowledge and ability to work effectively and strategically with donor/funding
institutions of all types.
● Proven capacity to lead the operations of an organization: financial resources,
strategic planning, policy influencing, projects planning, fundraising, budget
implementation and evaluation, contracts and legal compliance etc.
● Advanced university degree in environmental/natural resources management,
biological sciences or related field experience.
● Proven track record in successfully developing, leading, and managing large-scale
complex programmes and/or institutions in the field of conservation, natural resource
management, international development, and/or other related fields.
● Knowledge of the institutional and legal framework in Uganda, as well as of relevant
policy issues.
● Technical proficiency in the field of contemporary Conservation, Natural-Resource
Management or International Development, with demonstrated success in managing
multi-disciplinary teams and networks and successful outcomes in public relations.
● Strong interpersonal and communication skills that support the ability to represent the
organization at a range of local and international fora, media and general public;
● High-level negotiation, collaborating and influencing skills and the capacity to develop
and maintain strong relationships at all levels in the business, not-for-profit, scientific
and political communities;
● Excellent ability to communicate well, motivate their team, handle and delegate
responsibilities, listen to feedback, encourage teamwork, critical thinking and have
the flexibility to solve problems in an ever-changing workplace.
● Initiative, judgment, flexibility, attention to detail, ability to prioritize and work
effectively under time constraints, service to others, and solution oriented.
● Experience in supervising senior, self-motivated, self-driven and highly technical
teams.
● Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment to the mission of WWF
Uganda.
● Adherence to WWF’s Brand, which are: Knowledgeable, Optimistic, Determined and
Engaging.
● Demonstrates WWF’s behaviours in way of working: Strive for Impact, Listen deeply,
collaborate openly and Innovate fearlessly.
Adherence to WWF’s values, which are: Courage, Integrity, Respect and Collaboration.
How to apply?
Email an application cover letter, Curriculum Vitae and contact details of three (3) referees
plus copies academic qualifications (sent as one PDF document) clearly indicating “the job
title” in the subject lie to: recruitment@wwfuganda.org
Deadline for applications: 21st July 2026