Stakeholder Relations and Policy Manager

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is an international non-governmental organisation committed to working with communities, government, and other partners to manage wildlife and wild places for biodiversity and human well-being. WCS PNG is recruiting for a Stakeholder Relations and Policy Manager responsible for managing critical relationships with government (at national, provincial, district and local levels) and partner organisations, while working alongside WCS. The position is full-time and will be based in Port Moresby.

Main Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary point of contact with key government agencies integral to WCS’s marine and terrestrial biodiversity conservation objectives to conduct regular meetings, organise consultations, and undertake other activities to ensure government support and alignment with WCS activities, policy advice, and to ensure smooth project communications and coordination.
• Provide strategic policy guidance and advice to the WCS programme, including leading or contributing to activities related to biodiversity and terrestrial and marine conservation policy development, policy coordination, and policy communications.
• Provide technical support to WCS field staff and grantee partners on the development of inshore marine spatial plans aligned with PNG’s National Ocean Policy that will support the legal recognition or designation of priority areas as other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs), locally managed marine areas (LMMAs), and other community-led marine conservation measures.
• Support the NFA to advance marine spatial planning and legal designation processes for a large offshore marine protected area within PNG’s national Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) including the development of enforceable legal frameworks for priority offshore conservation areas. This will include support to the NFA to strengthen PNG’s national monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) systems across both inshore and offshore marine areas.
• In coordination with the Country Director and other managers, support strategic coordination with other CSO partner organisations, development partners, the private sector, and other relevant national stakeholders, including all activities implemented by WCS and external partners linked to the project.
• Facilitate engagement with the Biodiversity and Climate Fund (BCF), in coordination with other WCS staff, to support its successful operationalisation and functioning as the country’s first conservation trust fund, as well as identify other opportunities for sustainable financing mechanisms for marine management at the national level.
• Represent WCS PNG and its priorities and interests in meetings, conferences, and workshops, both within PNG and overseas where required.
• Additionally, as WCS PNG is a flexible organisation, staff members are expected to undertake any other tasks that are allocated to them but which are not part of their regular job description.

Key Selection Criteria:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, including though not limited to environmental management, constitutional or statutory law, or maritime law and policy.
• At least five years of experience working with government and marine or terrestrial management organisations in PNG.
• Demonstrated experience in ensuring close coordination with government agencies, particularly CEPA, at the national level.
• Strong understanding of PNG government policies and governance systems, especially marine management laws and policies.
• Demonstrated experience in supporting national level ocean planning and policy processes, with a preference for experience and expertise in the processes to establish offshore protections and enforcement processes.
• Demonstrated experience in problem solving that incorporates kastom and adherence to institutional and donor policies.
• Strong networks and relationships with stakeholders from government (at multiple levels), civil society and the private sector.
• Ability to work sensitively and effectively with people of diverse cultures, value systems, perspectives and levels of education, and to manage and work with staff in these contexts.
• Good communication and presentation skills; ability to persuasively convey the mission of WCS to diverse groups, especially to government, local stakeholders and constituents who are critical to the organisation’s overall prosperity.
• A genuine interest in environmental management and the nature and societies of PNG.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
• Professional proficiency in oral and written English and Tok Pisin.
• Experience with monitoring and evaluation and safeguards management is preferred.
• Willingness to travel within PNG.

Application Process:

Please send an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae and letter of interest addressing the Key Selection Criteria to [email protected] with the subject line: Application for Stakeholder Relations and Policy Manager. Applications accepted until 5pm, Monday 7 September 2026. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.

WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organisation complies with all employment labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring, ensuring that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. The organisation provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organisation does not discriminate for employment based on age, colour, disability, gender identify, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by laws and regulations