Sunday, July 16, 2017

WAZA Conservation Coordinator



WAZA Conservation Coordinator


OBJECTIVE
The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) is seeking a dedicated, innovative, experienced  individual to serve as WAZA Conservation Coordinator and manage the projects and initiatives that seek to secure viable populations of animals in zoos and aquariums, through sustainable population management and species conservation at a global scale. In so doing, the WAZA Conservation Coordinator will serve as a catalyst for the joint conservation initiatives of WAZA member zoos and aquariums and ensure they are regarded as leaders in the effort to ensure the long-term survival of wildlife and wild spaces.

The WAZA Conservation Coordinator will oversee all aspects of in situ and ex situ conservation related to WAZA members and monitor global events related to conservation, in collaboration with the WAZA Committee for Population Management and the WAZA Executive Office.
The WAZA Conservation Coordinator will use the WAZA Conservation Strategy: Committing to Conservation (2015) as a guide, ensuring that WAZA members both follow recommendations in the strategy and strive to achieve or exceed those recommendations. The WAZA Conservation Coordinator will engage with WAZA members and a variety of stakeholders – including regional associations, national federations, national governments, non-governmental organizations, experts, and donors, among others – to address conservation challenges and craft appropriate actions for the zoo and aquarium community.

The WAZA Conservation Coordinator tasks will include, but are not limited to:

  • Development of a WAZA conservation work plan
  • Monitoring of conservation activities at WAZA member zoos and aquariums
  • Coordination and / or support of responses to conservation efforts  at WAZA member zoos and aquariums
  • Coordination of the International Studbook (ISB) Programme and Global Species Management Plans (GSMP)
  • Preparation of conservation documentation / reports for WAZA Council
  • Active engagement on behalf of WAZA in conservation studies, research or analyses
  • Regular review and proposed updates to the WAZA Conservation Strategy, if necessary
  • Representation of WAZA and its conservation efforts at international forums
  • Support for relevant WAZA initiatives such as policy, animal welfare, and campaigns, among others
  • Assist with preparations for WAZA Council meetings and other relevant events


The WAZA Conservation Coordinator will work closely with the WAZA Committee on Population Management, the WAZA Chief Executive Officer and the WAZA executive staff to achieve his / her objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS
The WAZA Conservation Coordinator must have experience in project management related to wildlife conservation. He / she should have either an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in zoology, biology, wildlife management, planning, natural resources, public policy or a related discipline, and a minimum of five years’ experience in the field. A first-level university degree in combination with 10 years’ qualifying experience and / or studies may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

COMPETENCIES
The WAZA Conservation Coordinator should exhibit as many of the organizational competencies listed below as possible:

  • Strategic thinking and organizational development
  • Leadership
  • Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating
  • Problem solving and decision making
  • Management of time, resources and information
  • Teamwork
  • Communication and negotiation
  • Building relationships and partnerships


LANGUAGE
The primary language of WAZA is English, and the WAZA Conservation Coordinator must be proficient in spoken and written English. Other languages – such as French, Spanish, Chinese, and Arabic, among others – will be advantageous.

CONDITIONS
The WAZA Conservation Coordinator will work remotely as a consultant for no more than a 12-month period, while WAZA relocates its offices from Gland, Switzerland. Semi-regular WAZA staff meetings may be held at a central location in order to coordinate activities and build cohesion. Once the WAZA office is re-settled, the WAZA Conservation Coordinator will be offered the opportunity to relocate to the new site.

The WAZA Conservation Coordinator will travel, as necessary.

COMPENSATION
The WAZA Conservation Coordinator will be paid $70,000 USD per anum as a consultant.

WAZA BACKGROUND
WAZA is the alliance of regional associations, national associations, and international zoos and aquariums that is committed to the highest possible standards of animal care and husbandry. Founded as the International Association of Directors of Zoological Gardens in Switzerland in 1935, the organization changed its name to the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) in 2000 to reflect a modern institution working on a global level to build cooperative approaches to common needs, tackle common issues, share information and knowledge and represent the community in other international fora.

WAZA offers wide-ranging resources and services to its members including:

Annual and specialist conferences and workshops

Policy positions and strategy reflecting leading thinking in zoos and aquariums

Communication on emerging zoo and aquarium issues

Recognition of members and affiliates in international forums

Management of studbooks and global species management programs, allowing for the professional management of animals for conservation and display

Access to research findings, scientific expertise and data

Advocacy and expertise in government affairs and legislative and regulatory matters at international levels such as through CITES and IUCN

Resources in education, public engagement, and communications

Opportunities to increase members’ focus and impact, including grant programs and member or partner funding opportunities


 WAZA is active globally, and partners with like-minded organizations:  Wild Welfare, TRAFFIC, Convention on Biological Diversity, IUCN, Convention on Migratory Species, Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, International Zoo Educators Association, Species360, Alliance for Zero Extinction, Great Apes Survival Partnership and the International Committee for Museums and Collections of Natural History of the International Council of Museums.

WAZA is registered in Switzerland as a not-for-profit charity.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested applicants should send a CV and cover letter by COB 30 July 2017 to secretariat@waza.org.



Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant
      


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