Marine Species Officer (IPE 47 - Fixed Term - WWF Pacific Islands - Fiji - Conservation Impact)
- World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
- Suva, Fiji
- Jul 13, 2026
Job Description & Skills/Qualifications Required
Job Description
Want to make a positive difference to the future of people and our one shared home, the Earth? Working at WWF could be your opportunity of a lifetime.
All around the world, people are waking up to the devastating impacts of climate change and nature loss. The situation today is worse than the darkest predictions of just ten years ago, pushing billions of people to the edge and threatening lives and livelihoods. At WWF, we are facing our biggest crisis – and our biggest ever opportunity – to create a better future for people and nature. With over 60 years of experience and an active presence in more than 100 countries, we work to achieve both on-the-ground and global policy action, from protecting and restoring species and their habitats, to transforming markets and policies toward sustainability.
Our people come from hugely diverse backgrounds and with a variety of expertise, ranging from conservation science and advocacy to HR and finance. We welcome applications from anyone who believes they can help us tackle this enormous global challenge and drive the urgent conservation impact needed to restore our planet.
What We Do
We are an independent conservation organization, striving to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and the ecosystem. From individuals and communities to businesses and governments, we are part of a growing global movement calling for bolder action on climate and nature, demanding that world leaders set nature on the path to recovery by 2030. WWF works to address the most dominant drivers of nature loss through system-wide changes in how food and energy are produced and consumed, and in how financial systems are structured. By implementing change in every country, we aim to drive visible and positive impacts on the ground, helping to restore nature in the most critical places around the world, from the Amazon to the Coral Triangle.
Engaging everyone means addressing the barriers to participation faced by some groups in society, including local communities. Conservation will only be sustainable if it is owned by, and benefits, local people. That’s why Indigenous Peoples and local communities must be at the centre of action on climate and nature. WWF is committed to using its resources and global network to support these communities in creating together the most effective solutions where they live.
Humanity is still in time, we have a clear pathway to solve this crisis. At WWF, we call on everyone to join the global movement, change how we live, and take action now.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Position title : Marine Species Officer
Reports to : Sustainable Fisheries & Marine Species Coordinator
Supervises : Nil
Location : Suva, Fiji and other locations
Date: : March 2026
About WWF-Pacific
WWF-Pacific’s Pacific Pathway 2030 Strategic Plan sets a bold course toward a People and
Nature Positive Pacific, where communities and ecosystems thrive together. Operating across
Fiji, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and the wider Pacific region, WWF-Pacific advances
locally led conservation, climate resilience, blue-green economies and resource management to
address climate change, biodiversity loss, and growing environmental pressures.
Grounded in Indigenous knowledge and community-led conservation, WWF-Pacific works with
partners to deliver nature-based solutions, strengthen community governance, and promote
inclusive blue-green economies. By 2030, all Pacific peoples and nations are empowered, climate
resilient and prosperous, with nature thriving and visibly and measurably recovering - a People
and Nature Positive Pacific.
Fiji Conservation Programme Context
The Fiji Conservation Programme delivers WWF Pacific’s strategic priorities at the national level,
focusing on safeguarding Fiji’s unique biodiversity and strengthening community resilience across
marine, coastal, and terrestrial ecosystems. It leads to the implementation of key initiatives such
as the Great Sea Reef Programme and the Great Astrolabe Reef Programme, sustainable
fisheries and seafood systems, community led marine resource management, climate resilience,
and nature-based solutions. The programme works closely with local communities, provincial
councils, government ministries, Indigenous governance structures, CSOs, academia, and private
sector partners to drive long term conservation and sustainable development outcomes.
Anchored in the Pacific Pathway 2030 Strategic Plan, the Fiji Conservation Programme
contributes directly to a People and Nature Positive Pacific by advancing inclusive blue green
economies, climate smart livelihoods, ecosystem restoration, and science-based planning.
Programme delivery is supported through multi-door investments, including partnerships with
bilateral and multilateral agencies, regional organizations, and philanthropic foundations.
Collectively, these efforts aim to ensure that Fiji’s people, nature, and economy are resilient,
prosperous, and thriving by 2030.
Major Functions
• Implement marine species and fisheries project activities in line with WWF Pacific
standards, donor requirements, and approved workplans.
• Coordinate field operations, including community consultations, surveys, monitoring,
logistics, and reporting from project sites.
• Ensure high quality monitoring, evaluation, and reporting, providing timely technical
updates, field reports, and progress summaries to project and programme leads.
• Manage consultants, interns, and volunteers supporting marine species and fisheries
activities, ensuring quality delivery and adherence to WWF procedures.
• Undertake activity level budget planning and monitoring, ensuring expenditures comply
with approved budgets, procurement standards, and donor guidelines.
• Support stakeholder coordination, working closely with the Sustainable Fisheries &
Marine Species Coordinator, GSR and GAR teams, government partners, community
leaders, and relevant external organisations.
• Uphold WWF standards, including Anti-Fraud & Corruption Policy compliance,
safeguarding, internal procedures, and operational protocols.
• Identify and report risks related to field implementation, partnerships, community
engagement, and safety, and propose mitigation measures.
• Ensure the scientific and technical credibility of all marine species work, including data
collection, reporting, community engagement, and partnerships.
• Contribute to strategic and operational planning, including annual workplans, donor-
funded project inputs, and broader Fiji Conservation Programme initiatives.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Project Implementation & Coordination
• Implement project activities in accordance with WWF standards, donor agreements, and
donor specific requirements.
• Plan and coordinate all project field activities, including community consultations and
logistics.
• Manage consultants, interns, and volunteers contributing to specific project objectives.
• Support networking, coordination, and communication with relevant stakeholders in
collaboration with the Sustainable Fisheries & Marine Species Coordinator, GSR and
GAR programme leads.
Monitoring, Reporting & Technical Quality
• Monitor project activities and ensure timely preparation and submission of field reports,
technical updates, and progress summaries.
• Prepare short, factual, and where required, analytical briefings on meetings, workshops,
and events attended.
• Ensure scientific and technical credibility across all project phases to strengthen WWF
Pacific’s reputation and brand.
Financial Management & Compliance
• Undertake activity-level budget planning and implementation, ensuring full compliance
with approved budgets, procurement processes, and donor policies.
• Support project financial planning, acquittals, and budget monitoring in collaboration with
relevant WWF teams.
• Ensure adherence to WWF internal policies, including the Anti-Fraud and Corruption
Policy and other required compliance frameworks.
Risk Management & Safeguards
• Contribute to identifying project related risks and propose appropriate mitigation
measures.
• Ensure project activities follow WWF’s internal processes, operational procedures, and
safeguarding standards
Stakeholder & Partner Engagement
• Support coordination with government partners, community leaders, regional partners,
NGOs, and academic/scientific institutions relevant to marine species conservation.
• Collaborate with relevant WWF network staff to ensure awareness of project progress,
actions, and developments.
Capacity Building & Professional Development
• Commit to completing WWF mandatory online training and participating in capacity-
building activities.
• Help guide and coordinate WWF volunteers engaged in marine species and fisheries
projects.
Programme Support & Strategic Contribution
• Participate in regular project and programme-level meetings.
• Contribute to operational and strategic planning and monitoring within the Fiji
Conservation Programme and across the broader WWF-Pacific organization.
• Participate openly in the Panda Pathway Performance Management process.
Ensure adherence to internal processes and procedures
• Provide support to planning and ensuring compliance with budget plans and procurement
regulations.
• Be involved in strategic planning and contribute to wider strategic planning processes
across the organization.
• Work within WWF Pacific polices including P&C, Finance, Communications & relevant
donor policies.
Profile
Required Qualifications
• A degree in marine science or related field.
• At least two years’ work experience in a marine or conservation related field.
• Experience working on marine species, particularly sea turtles, is an advantage
Required Skills and Competencies
• Demonstrated field work experience in a conservation project.
• Demonstrated ability to write field reports.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and in a team.
• Understanding of community protocols and practices.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with a multi-disciplinary team.
• Has a flexible approach and a willingness to work outside normal hours
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Adheres to WWF’s values
Working Relationships
Internal
• Reports to the Sustainable Fisheries & Marine Species Coordinator
• Works closely with the GSR and GAR Programme Manager and Conservation team to
effectively deliver the objectives of the WWF-UK funded project Safeguarding Nesting
Populations of Sea Turtles in Fiji and other objectives of the Fiji Conservation
Programme as defined under the 2030 strategic plan.
• On a needs basis, works with Finance, Communications, M&E & HR to support project
implementation, communication, reporting and capacity building.
• On a needs basis, works with WWF network staff to ensure an awareness of project
actions, progress and developments.
External
• Work with the Regional Blue Corridors Programme, WWF Global Turtle Programme focal
points, CTI turtle focal points and other relevant partners; to build and maintain
relationships with key project and programme partners, NGOs, donors, CROP agencies,
scientific/academic bodies, government and community heads and businesses.
This job description covers the main tasks to be delivered over the duration of this Contract 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.
Prepared by Supervisor: _________________________________ Date: ______________
Accepted by Staff member: _______________________________ Date: ______________
Please upload your covering letter and CV in English. Priority will be given to applications with both documents indicated.
Deadline for applications: Wednesday 22nd July, 2026.
Work permit restrictions may apply.
Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.
At WWF, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where every individual feels valued and respected. We believe that a diverse workforce will help us to achieve 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. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to providing fair and unbiased consideration for all candidates regardless of their background. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply and join us in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Job Functions
Industry
WWF was established in 1961 by a group of passionate and committed individuals who sought to secure the funding necessary to protect places and species that were threatened by human development.
Inspired by a series of articles in a UK newspaper written by Sir Julian Huxley about the destruction of habitat and wildlife in East Africa, businessman Victor Stolan pointed out the urgent need for an international organization to raise funds for conservation. The idea was then shared with Max Nicholson, Director General of British government agency Nature Conservancy, who enthusiastically took up the challenge.
Nicholson was motivated in part by the financial difficulties facing the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and felt that a new fundraising initiative might help IUCN and other conservation groups carry out their mission. He drafted a plan in April 1961 that served as a basis for WWF’s founding, which was then endorsed by the executive board of IUCN in a document known as the Morges Manifesto.
Nicholson and approximately two dozen other individuals –including Sir Peter Scott, a member of IUCN’s executive board who had signed the Morges Manifesto and later became WWF’s first vice president – hammered out the details of the new organization in a series of meetings over the following months. This included choosing the name World Wildlife Fund and adopting the now-famous panda logo.
The first three “national appeals” (now called national organizations) were also established in 1961 in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and the United States. Since then, WWF-US has grown to include over 1 million supporters and has helped lead conservation projects in Alaska, the Northern Great Plains, and around the world.