WWF Nepal Vacancy for Communications Officer

Company Description

WWF Nepal, the global conservation organization leading international efforts for a living planet, seeks applications from qualified Nepali candidates for the following full-time position. If you think you are an achiever and willing to work within a diverse team in a multicultural environment with commitment and passion for what you believe in, you are highly encouraged to apply.

Our Mission:

At WWF Nepal, we firmly believe people and nature are inextricably linked. Our mission is to stop the degradation of our planet’s natural environment, and build a future Nepal in which people live in harmony with nature.

Our Vision:

From its origins as a small group of committed wildlife enthusiasts, WWF has grown into one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, active in over 100 countries.

Over this time, WWF’s focus has evolved from localized efforts in favor of a single species and individual habitats to an ambitious strategy to preserve biodiversity and achieve sustainable development across the globe.

WWF-Nepal envisions a prosperous Nepal, with an active and socially responsible citizenry that a greater sense of stewardship towards the environment.

Our Core Values:

We celebrate and respect diversity in nature and among the people, partners, and communities with whom we work. Across the many cultures and individuals that represent WWF, we are unified by one mission, one brand, and one common set of 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 we learn and evolve.
Respect: We honor the voices and knowledge of the 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.

Job Description

The WWF-GEF project, Integrated Landscape Management to Secure Nepal’s Protected Areas and Critical Corridors Project is executed by the Ministry of Forests and Environment (MOFE), Government of Nepal. The project’s geographic scope is the Terai Arc Landscape (TAL), Nepal. The project seeks to achieve the following objective: to promote integrated landscape management to conserve globally significant forests and wildlife. Over the five-year project period, the objective will be achieved through the implementation of four interconnected components, namely: 1) National capacity and enabling environment for cross-sectoral coordination to promote forest and landscape conservation; 2) Integrated planning for protected area buffer zones and critical corridors in the TAL; 3) Forest and human-wildlife conflict management for improved conservation of targeted protected area buffer zones and corridors in the TAL; and 4) Knowledge management and monitoring and evaluation. Ultimately, the project will result in the reduction of the threats impacting the corridors and protected areas in the TAL, benefitting the ecological integrity of these largely forested areas, the globally significant wildlife populations that they support, and the resilience of forest dwelling communities. The improved conservation and sustainable management of forest resources will result in habitat connectivity, increased carbon storage and sequestration and restoration of degraded habitats, and continued delivery of ecosystem services that support local populations.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Communications Officer will support in documentation and development of communication materials. S/he will contribute to developing content for public outreach activities (radio program, Jaibik platform, etc.). S/he will work in close coordination with the Project manager, technical staff, and field staff to identify success stories and will capture lessons learnt. S/he will provide technical backstopping in report publication as well as donor reporting.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Oversees and is responsible for the implementation of the Communications Strategy for GEF

Serve as a custodian and executant of the Communications Strategy for the GEF project. In close coordination with the Project Manager and other GEF staff, updates the Communications Strategy of GEF and periodically reviews it in view of changing ground realities and program focus. The strategy will identify key behaviour changes that are desired to achieve GEF’s objectives, the messages involved, target audiences for these messages, and communication methods to reach them.
The Communications Officer will convert the strategy into doable actions with timelines and budget, and coordinate program resources including its human resources to ensure completion of these strategic actions.
S/he is responsible for overseeing the monitoring of the strategic actions undertaken.

2. Engage media to promote GEF Project

Engages with media as indicated by the strategy, as one means to ensure communication of key messages and lessons coming from GEF project, and to promote information about GEF objectives and activities.

3. Coordinate the production of GEF’s outreach materials, publications and events

Oversees and coordinates with the GEF staff to ensure timely production of regular and one-off publications, other communication materials, presentations etc. Ensures high quality production of all materials in line with the communication standards and guidelines where they exist.
Oversees and as appropriate organizes communication events for GEF, including preparation of materials.
Handles the GEF website. Promote the use of local language to the extent practically possible including the web.
Translates and edits communication and outreach materials where applicable.

4. Overall responsibility of documentation and production of success stories and lessons

Develops opportunities to ensure documentation, production and communication of success stories and lessons with appropriate audiences using the best tools and communication media.
Maintains close contact with the field reality and ensures that GEF is contributing its learning to local and national audiences, as well as the global conservation and climate change communities.
S/he will also promote communications learning within GEF, including specific learning around the communication questions in the learning strategy.

5. Support the grantees to communicate about the program and its findings

Provides GEF information and materials to support implementing the GEF communication strategy, and for the programmatic communications work.
Ensures that communication materials, presentations etc. are appropriately branded for the core partners, recognizing the contributions that each makes.

6. Build and cement relationship with WWF GEF Agency

Regularly interacts with the WWF GEF Agency focal (directly and indirectly) to see to it that its requirements and expectations are met generally in terms of communication activities.
Ensures that the feedback from GEF is passed on to right people in the organization and works towards internalization of such feedback.
Ensures that GEF branding and marking guidelines are followed in all GEF communications unless there are authorized exemptions.

7. Provide communication coaching and training

As needed, provides communication coaching or training to the GEF staff, and other partners including in Kathmandu and the field offices to effectively communicate GEF messages.

8. Other duties

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

Supervisory Responsibility:

Supervises and supports consultants, companies and grantees including editors, designers, photographers, video makers, etc. Oversee production process of communications products directly and manage contracts for producing products.

Working Relationships:

Internal: Interacts frequently with WWF Communications team and WWF network communication staff along with the GEF team.
External: Interacts with conservation government officials, other conservation organizations, Grantees, Service contractors, Consultants.

Qualifications

Knowledge: A bachelor’s degree, preferably in mass communications or a related field. IT knowledge especially the use of Photoshop and other designing / web designing tools required.

Experience: Candidate must have at least three years of experience in journalism/publications/communication works. Working experience in environment and biodiversity conservation sector is desirable.

Skills and Abilities: The ideal candidate for this position will have a high level of attention to detail as well as a high level of enthusiasm for his/her work along with strong verbal and written communication and organizational skills. Strong interpersonal and team-player skills are essential. Strong Nepali and English language skills are required. The candidate should have strong IT skills including Microsoft Office programs and design software. S/he should be effectively able to prioritize work, focusing on priorities without forgetting other tasks, and using initiative and good judgement. Ability to work to deadlines is essential. Good facilitation and coaching skills are an advantage. Must be able to travel extensively to the field, in sometimes rugged conditions (up to 25% travel).

Additional Information

Interested applicants are requested to apply for the position by 17:00 hours on October 2, 2024. Only shortlisted candidates will be informed.

Please do not click on “Apply with Indeed” button once you start the application process.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

WWF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please join us in our mission to save life on Earth.

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