Myanmar: Resilient Asian Deltas (RAD) Initiative Lead

Apr 20, 2020 | World Wide Fund for Nature
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WWF’s strategy harnesses the strengths of the WWF network in a shared vision, focusing on six major goals - water, wildlife, the ocean, climate and energy, forests, and food – and three key drivers of environmental problems – markets, finance and governance. Our vision is to protect and restore nature for the benefit of people and the planet in support of the sustainable development goals.

In support of this strategy WWF International is designed to unite WWF offices and its near 6,400 staff around the world. This enables WWF to build strong partnerships across the world with government, business, civil society and individuals. Together, we will deliver on WWF’s ambitious goals.

Asia’s Iconic River Deltas are on the front lines of Climate Change. The 6 deltas targeted by Resilient Asian Deltas (RAD) are amongst the largest and most populated deltas in the world - home to over 400 million people. Deltas are critical economic engines with 18-20% of Vietnam’s GDP coming from the Mekong Delta and over 40% of Thailand’s GDP sitting entirely on the Chao Phraya delta. These areas are the rice baskets and fish bowls of these countries, providing food for domestic consumption - essential for food security and export. 45% of global rice exports come from India, Pakistan, Vietnam, China and Myanmar – and most of their rice cultivation occurs in delta areas. These are also for WWF, some of the most biodiverse areas, for fish, birds, river dolphins and freshwater turtles. Upstream activities such as poorly sited dams and sand mining are reducing the amount of sediment reaching these deltas but growing regional attention is turning to these deltas and investing in solutions.

Based in: Yangon, Myanmar, with travel within the region and globally.

Reports to: Conservation Impact Director – Asia Pacific

Dotted line reporting to: Country Director, Myanmar and Global Freshwater Practice Leader

WWF’s ten-year RAD initiative aims to stop the continent’s 6 large delta systems – the Ganges–Meghna–Brahmaputra (GMB) in Bangladesh and India, Indus in Pakistan, Irrawaddy in Myanmar, Mekong in Vietnam, Pearl in China and Hong Kong and Chao Phraya in Thailand – from sinking and shrinking and increase resilience to climate impacts.

As RAD Lead, you will:

  • move beyond a business-as-usual approaches, to assessing and treating the root causes of delta erosion and land subsidence.
  • leverage private sector as a key partner, bringing in financing that has been lacking to date to address large scale threats in a sustainable way and de-risk investments.
  • strengthen public and private sector investments in NBS and grow a pipeline of solutions that will incentivize investors and insurers across the six deltas.
  • support country government progress towards NDCs, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the SDGs and NBSAP’s.

Your qualifications and demonstrable experience will include:

  • Proven experience in leading and coordinating policy, advocacy and lobbying work in high level national and international fora.
  • Be a strong partnership builder, with existing networks of contacts both internally and externally, with governments, multilateral development banks, business, NGOs and PSP
  • Strong communicator, writer and public speaker
  • Proven track record of effectively leading, managing and coordinating teams across multiple time zones.
  • Successful track record in fundraising
  • Degree level qualification, with a minimum of 10 years relevant work experience in the environment or closely associated sector
  • A regional language would be helpful

WWF International can offer you:

Contract duration: 2 year fixed term contract with possible extension

Please note the compensation package will be aligned with local salary and benefits conditions, in line with our reward policy. We offer a comprehensive deployment package for successful candidates who relocate internationally for the purpose of this role.

For more information on our work please visit: https://wwf.panda.org/our_work/water/freshwater_inititiaves/resilient_as...

How to apply

If you have the skills and experience and are interested in leading our Resilient Asian Deltas Initiative Lead role in Asia Pacific, please email your cover letter and CV in English, quoting RAD Lead Asia Pacific – FIRST NAME_SURNAME’ to vacancy.mm@wwf.org.mm

Deadline for applications: May 24, 2020.

Thank you in advance for your interest in this position. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you have not been contacted within six weeks of the closing date, please consider your application on this occasion unsuccessful for this role.

Female and Asian national applicants are encouraged to apply for this position. Work permit restrictions may apply.

WWF is an equal opportunity employer and committed to having a diverse workforce.