WWF – Ombudsperson

ABOUT WWF

All around the world, people are waking up to the deepening crisis of nature loss. We’re experiencing a growing realization that nature is our life-support system and that no one will be spared from the impacts of its loss.

Here at WWF, an independent conservation organization active in nearly 100 countries, we are working to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and wildlife.

Working with many others – from individuals and communities to business and government – WWF urgently seeks to protect and restore natural habitats, stop the mass extinction of wildlife, and make the way we produce and consume sustainable.

More about WWF on our website.

© Sharon Fisher

OUR MISSION

To stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature by:

• conserving the world’s biological diversity

• ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable

• promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

OUR VALUES

We bear witness to the accelerating decline of nature and our climate, with serious consequences for life on Earth, including our own.

Our mission is to build a future in which people live in harmony with nature. To deliver this mission, we work to conserve biodiversity, the web that supports all life on Earth; reduce humanity’s ecological footprint; and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources to support current and future generations.

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.

© Staffan Widstrand / WWF

THE ROLE

ROLE: Ombudsperson

LOCATION: Gland (Switzerland), Woking (UK) or Zeist (The Netherlands)

REMUNERATION: Competitive

© Martin Harvey / WWF

JOB SUMMARY

MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT

WWF adopted the Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework (ESSF) to ensure consistent, comprehensive application of safeguards across the entire WWF network.

WWF is committed to strengthening its accountability and to ensuring that transparent, legitimate and trustworthy mechanisms are established at relevant levels to enable affected stakeholders, including local communities and Indigenous Peoples, to raise concerns about ESSF compliance and have them addressed in a timely and consistent manner.

WWF has created the Office of the Ombudsperson (Office) as a critical component of WWF’s efforts to:

a. Strengthen its programmatic work through compliance with ESSF commitments;

b. Further strengthen WWF’s relationships with communities through stakeholder engagement;

c. Strengthen its institutional accountability in terms of the ESSF; and

d. Improve the environmental and social outcomes of its work.

The Ombudsperson will operate independently of all conservation field level activities and will report directly to the Director General of WWF International, while also having direct access to escalate specific case files directly to the relevant representative sub-committees of the International Board as and when required.

To carry out the mandate, the Ombudsperson will liaise with WWF senior management, relevant staff, offices, network governance bodies, committees and members of WWF’s International Board. The Ombudsperson will also maintain appropriate contacts with NGOs, civil society and the business community to the extent necessary to carry out duties.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS

The Ombudsperson will ensure that:

• Communities who are impacted by WWFsupported projects have a safe, independent, confidential place to voice their concerns and participate in the resolution of those concerns;

• Partner Governments and Institutions engage meaningfully to resolve issues within and amongst affected or impacted communities and ensure project sustainability;

• WWF’s Network can respond to community complaints as part of a collaborative process;

• WWF’s Stakeholders can learn from the escalated community complaints and build approaches that help the network prevent future harm; and

• Funders can be assured of WWF’s commitment to governance, oversight and enhanced project development in which the voice of impacted communities plays a clear and important role.

© Antonio Busiello / WWF-US

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Implement the eligibility criteria which is set out in the Operating Framework to assess the types of community complaints that can be referred to the Ombudsperson, including the manner in which whistleblower complaints may be handled by the Ombudsperson;

• Implement the policy and procedures required for the mandate of the Office of the Ombudsperson, including the complaints handling process in consultation with the Director General and International Board;

• The Ombudsperson will provide advice to WWF in relation to WWF’s environmental, social and/or human rights performance, to build the capacity of communities and WWF to strengthen WWF grievance systems;

• Ensure regular oversight of budgetary impacts related to volume of requests received;

• Day to day management and supervision of the staff of the Office of the Ombudsperson;

• Accountable for eligible complaints-related WWF activities, including eligibility decisions and management of consultants working on complaints, as required;

• Management of communications, network engagement and external outreach relating to the Ombudsperson office and its activities;

• Review the key deliverables and budget expenditure annually, share trends and learnings from the year;

• Draft semi-annual reports to keep the Director General and the WWF International Board and other stakeholders informed of activities: Including case-related reports (assessment, conclusion – documenting key case outcomes);

• Provide - directly or through contracted experts - conflict assessment, dispute resolution and mediation, consensus building, multistakeholder problem solving and interestbased facilitation and negotiation services; and

• Identify systemic issues related to ESSF implementation that merit further review and to make recommendations for such to management.

© Chris Johnson / WWF-Aus

CANDIDATE PROFILE

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in conflict resolution management;

• A successful record of dealing with a broad range of civil society, affected communities and NGOs through negotiation, participation and consultation;

• Extensive knowledge and experience of environmental and social safeguarding frameworks;

• Solid academic (post-graduate) and professional background.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• An understanding of the role and function of institutional oversight and accountability mechanisms, including grievance mechanisms;

• Proven knowledge and experience with international development organisations and relevant NGOs;

• Experience conducting fair and accurate assessment and/or compliance reviews;

• An understanding of international frameworks governing non judicial recourse mechanisms, with a particular focus on the impacts

of gender; ability to work constructively and collaboratively with a broad range of stakeholders while maintaining credibility as an independent office;

• Proven track record in the field of dispute resolution and mediation;

• Proven track record of impeccable integrity and sound judgement;

• Superlative interpersonal skills and empathy;

• Strong oral and written communication skills in English and knowledge of any other language/s from regions is an asset;

• Embraces the WWF mission and values of the organization: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal – Interacts regularly with WWF International Board, the Network Executive Team (NET) and their respective sub-committees, the Executive Team, and other relevant functions.

External – Complainants, Local communities, external partners, and other international NGOs, conservation and civil society organizations.

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

© Tom Vierus / WWF-US

HOW TO APPLY

All correspondence, at this stage, should be via Oxford HR. To apply for this post, click on the “Apply” button on the job advert page, complete our online application form, and submit your CV and cover letter as two different documents, which should be prepared before applying as they will be considered in the application process. The cover letter should be no more than two pages long and explain why you are interested in this post and how your skills and experience make you a good fit.

The document should be saved in PDF in the following format: Your First Name-Your Last Name-Document Name-Date (mmyy) e.g., Amina-Patel-CV-102023-WWF or Amina-Patel-CoverLetter-102023-WWF.

TIMELINE

Closing of Applications: 19th November

Oxford HR Interviews: TBC

WWF Panel Interviews: TBC

SELECTION PROCESS

All candidates will receive an update regarding their application after the closing date. We advise candidates to add the role email to their safe senders list and regularly check their spam folder.

EQUALITY STATEMENT

Equality and diversity are at the core of WWF’s values. Staff are expected to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected.

QUERIES

If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information, or would like to have an informal discussion, please email at wwfombudsperson@oxfordhr.com in the first instance.

© James Morgan / WWF

ABOUT OXFORD HR

Oxford HR operates globally - mainly within the international development and charity sectors. We carry out retained executive search mandates at board and senior management levels. We also offer human resource and organisational development consultancy.

Oxford HR has many years of experience in search as well as an extensive network of international development, social sector, corporate, public sector, and academic contacts from across the world. We carry out comprehensive and often international searches designed to meet the specific needs of our client.

© WWF / Steve Morgan

Cover Photo Credit © WWF