Expert, Safeguards, Asia Pacific - WWF International

I. Mission 

WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. To support our commitment to embedding respect for human rights and the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities across WWF’s portfolio, WWF-International established a Safeguards Unit in 2019 which is led by the Senior Director, Safeguards and Human Rights. The Unithas a global mandate with oversight over WWF’s Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework (ESSF) and the Statements of Principles (SoPs) for Human Rights, Gender Equality,and Indigenous Peoples,and provides services to WWF offices as part of the WWF-International Secretariat function. From 1 July 2025, the Unit will sit within the WWF-International People and Places Department in the Global Conservation Division.

II. Major Functions

The Safeguards Expert for Asia-Pacific will provide foundational support to the Director, Safeguards and Human Rights on the implementation of the Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework (ESSF) and Statements of Principlesin the geographies covered in this role, including technical review and compliance monitoring across the full programme and project cycle. The role provides technical guidance to conservation leads and builds the capacity of ESSF focal points, programme and project teams on aspects of design, implementation and monitoring, and provides support to quality assurance and risk management functions.  

Safeguard implementation is also a foundational aspect of the ‘inclusive conservation’ approach that forms part of WWF’s strategic roadmap.  As such, the role will also contribute to initiatives that seek greater inclusivity in conservation design and delivery.   

III. Major Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Oversight of ESSF and SoPs implementation in geographies covered in this role.

• Undertake compliance and technical review of safeguards screens, plans, frameworks across all stages of the safeguard process (screening, mitigation planning, adaptive management) ensuring compliance with ESSF requirements and WWF network standards.

• Act as ESSF technical reviewer in quality assurance processes, providing technical input, compliance reviews, and recommendations to project proposals, in close coordination with Safeguards Regional Heads.

• Lead  mentoring of country ESSF focal points and implementing teams, providing technical guidance and training-of-trainers on the interpretation, implementation and monitoring of the ESSF and SoPs.

• In coordination with Safeguards Regional Heads, build the understanding of senior management and conservation leads on the strategic operationalisation and delivery of the ESSF and SOPs.

• Work as part of the Accredited Safeguards Expert (ASEs) community in the WWF Network, taking on the responsibilities delegated to ASEs (as relevant to accreditation level). 

• Build and strengthen the ASE, global and regional safeguards practitioner communities. Deliver training and other forms of capacity building, and disseminate lessons learned and good practices.

• Design and maintain ESSF and SoPs technical support materials, such as guidance, databases and tools, training modules and other knowledge materials.  

• Engage collaboratively across units in the People and Places Department to strengthen synergy between the ESSF and SoPs and other areas of work in the department,including inclusive conservation and governance initiatives.

• Mainstream and embed the ESSF and SoPs across conservation portfolios within the geographies covered in this role.

IV. Profile

Required Qualifications and Professional Experience       

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in natural or social sciences, economics, Indigenous People’s studies, development studies, or relevant fields.

• Minimum 5 years proven international experience in implementing E&S safeguard systems preferably in the conservation sector.

• Demonstrated knowledge of conservation priorities and issues and the intersection with human rights, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, local communities’ rights in complex, multi-actor settings.

• Experience in developing and/or delivering safeguards training to practitioner-level audiences, including with designing supporting tools, training packs and good practice guides.

Required Skills and Competencies: 

• Experience of working in an international organisation, including INGOs, multilateral or bilateral development agencies that operate with safeguard systems or similar.

• High degree of cultural sensitivity and ability to navigate complexity.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, including review of technical documents and preparation of presentations for virtual and in-person meetings.

• A clear understanding of risk-based approaches to managing projects and programmes.

• Strong organisational skills, results-driven.  

• Creativity, dynamism and diplomacy.

• Identify and align with the core values of the WWF organisation: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration.

V. Working Relationships:

Internal –  Reports to the Director, Safeguards and Human Rights. 
Interacts regularly with colleagues in the safeguards team and the People and Places Department; regional, national and country office technical leads; ESSF focal points; QA and Risk functions; Accredited Safeguards Experts and safeguard practitioner communities.

External – consultants under contract; WWF partners; peer and civil society organisations.