Head, Issues Management - WWF International

 1.MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT

• Enable the WWF mission through driving a strong, inspiring, compelling, and strategic communications approach to ensure and support conservation impact in line with the strategic priorities of WWF International.
• To drive strategic communications to the Network, Governing bodies, International Secretariat and leadership in support of WWF International strategic priorities.
• To drive the strategic alignment on articulating consistent external positions on emerging issues across the Network.
• To ensure a coherent ‘One WWF, One Voice’ by integrating and supporting the communications, media and brand functions across WWF International and supporting these services to the network (offices in over 90 countries).
• To engage targeted audiences across the globe to accelerate conservation impact, influence decision makers and to build the WWF brand.
• To facilitate and coordinate the development and alignment to a global communications strategy.
• To provide common technology platforms Network-wide to enable communication with key audiences.
• To provide a Centre of Excellence to the Network and convene the Communications Community in terms of communications practice.

2. MAJOR FUNCTIONS

• Provides leadership on global brand reputation development through strategic communications management of sensitive and complex issues on behalf of the WWF Network.
• Partners with colleagues across the WWF Network and Communications Community to coordinate and align issues management strategies, tactics and messaging, evaluating outcomes and promoting continuous improvement.
• Envisions and implements opportunities which deepen understanding of WWF’s work, as well as the wider and inter-related nature of conservation, and global crises and challenges as they relate to the WWF Mission.
• Develops and implements proactive approaches to anticipate, respond to, and quickly recover from globally relevant reputational challenges resulting from all aspects of our work.
• Works closely with the Senior Director, Stakeholder Relations, and other senior colleagues across the WWF Network to ensure strong aligned positions on specific issues in support of the effective engagement of critical stakeholders and decision makers (e.g. partners, supporters, governments etc).

3. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leads the development and execution of integrated, cross-functional issues management strategies that protect and enhance WWF’s global brand and credibility.
• Serves as a trusted adviser to the WWF Network by providing real-time guidance and support during high-risk or crisis scenarios, while partnering with Country and National Offices to promote consistent messaging and strengthen best practices in managing sensitive issues.
• Drafts and reviews high-impact external and internal communications for wide-ranging stakeholder application, including holding statements, Q&As, donor and partner correspondence, media responses, and talking points.
• Participates in cross-functional response teams – including senior leadership (WWF International and Network), Compliance, Legal, Governance, Country Office Management etc.) – to develop and deliver coordinated, aligned messaging, while responding at pace with maximum flexibility and agility to rapidly evolving situations. 
• Monitors and analyzes global developments and trends that may impact WWF’s brand reputation, identifying emerging risks and opportunities and surfacing strategic insights to inform proactive and responsive issues management strategies.
• Develops and manages structured reputational analysis and reporting to support decision-making and strengthen organizational preparedness.
• Develops and delivers training and resources for staff across the Network to strengthen capacity building in issues management and reputation risk mitigation in line with agreed communication priorities.
• Collaborates with teams across the Global Communications Department and provides strategic input to strengthen brand resilience through aligned narratives and consistent messaging in proactive brand-building communications.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of issues responses delivered and/or convened by WWF International and identifies lessons learned to inform future strategy and practice.
• Supervises the Manager, Issues Management, and provides regular progress reports on the Issues Management unit to the Director, Stakeholder Relations as required.
• Manages and develops a library of issues management content as a core reference tool, including existing and evolving cases, and network viewpoints, to promote sustained accuracy and alignment within the WWF Network.

4.PROFILE

Required qualifications

• At least 10 years professional experience in Communication roles, with demonstrated success in issues management.
• Proven issues management judgement and implementation of innovative issues management responses, including direct experience in media and partner communications.
• Bachelor’s degree or relevant professional experience in communications, either in-house or in a consultancy setting.
• Knowledge and experience of working within cross-cultural teams in complex international environments. 
• Knowledge and experience of the not-for-profit sector.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Experience of working in complex, international, highly matrixed operations, with a proven ability to manage and deliver effective outcomes.
• Solutions-oriented and resilient, with strong diplomatic and communication skills and a proven ability to build agreement and navigate challenges across diverse cultural contexts and stakeholder groups (including staff, partners, donors, and media).
• Ability to craft clear, concise, accurate, and persuasive communications strategies and narratives to counter misinformation and support proactive reputation-building efforts.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce high-quality statements, briefings, and other materials; fluency in English is required, with additional languages such as Spanish or French considered an asset.
• A strong team player with the ability to collaborate cross-functionally in a dynamic, multicultural environment, and prepared to undertake occasional international travel.
• Comfort and ability in managing a portfolio of multiple projects and competing priorities. 
• Demonstrates a growth mindset through active listening, strategic thinking, and creativity, coupled with curiosity about new technologies, evolving communication trends, and a strong interest in conservation and environmental issues.
• Embraces the WWF mission and values of the organization: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration.

5. WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

External.

Senior Director, Stakeholder Relations; Directors and Heads within the Global Communications Department; Communications Directors across the Network; Country Office Management and programme staff; members of the Communications Community across the WWF Network; relevant wider teams (Conversation, Compliance, Legal, Governance, Resource Mobilization); other senior personnel.

Internal.

External stakeholders including supporters; partners; donors; corporates; governments; institutions; media; communications agencies; and wider external stakeholder relationships as relevant e.g. other NGOs, thought leaders, event organizers, public/private organizations.