VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Legal and Policy Advisor

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 is recruiting for a Full-Time Legal and Policy Advisor to provide legal support, government and public sector engagement to the WCS PNG program, based in Port Moresby and expected to travel within PNG, especially to WCS field sites.

Role Summary

Legal & Policy Advisor, Full-Time

• Review the current legal and policy framework and propose roadmap for the development of protected areas,
• Facilitate legal assistance and training to communities related to natural resources management and establishment of community based organization;
• Support the WCS PNG program in building strategic alliances and maintaining strong and productive working relationships and with PNG government officials and other key stakeholders across the environmental sector;
• Leverage WCS PNG expertise and experience to influence national policies and commitments that will benefit conservation and sustainable use of wildlife in PNG and impact WCS's work in the field;
• Develop training materials for stakeholders, including “how to” guides to addressing legal and policy gaps in environmental conservation, and to the establishment and governance of conservation areas.

Qualifications and requirements

• Bachelor of Laws degree, with preference for a post-graduate qualification or equivalent relevant job experience in environmental law and policy
• Experience building relationships with public sector, government, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to reduce the primary drivers and threats to biodiversity in PNG;
• Experience with PNG’s legal framework supporting biodiversity conservation;
• Experience in conducting stakeholder analyses to strengthen public sector responsiveness and good governance within the PNG context;
• Knowledge of the delegation of responsibilities between levels of government in PNG;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and adherence to cultural and stakeholder sensitivity and diplomacy;
• Excellent conceptual, oral and written communication skills;
• Proficiency in the English language at international standards

Job Descriptions are available on request. Please provide a cover letter addressing all the position criteria listed and a curriculum vitae with references by email to [email protected] All electronic files must have the applicants name clearly labelled in the file name.

Applications Close: Wednesday, 30 April 2025 at 5pm