Role purpose

WWF-Caucasus is the leading international conservation organisation in the South Caucasus. It represents a high-performing WWF international Country Office with efficient operating systems, professional and skilled staff, strong financial resources, delivering high conservation impact on issues and in places that are key for the region and WWF’s global priorities. WWF-Caucasus is guided by a strong conservation vision for the South Caucasus ecoregion.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

The Director provides effective leadership and line management to the Directors of WWF Branch Offices in the region and senior staff at WWF Caucasus. Ensures that WWF Caucasus and WWF Branch Offices in Armenia and Azerbaijan are effectively and efficiently managed in all key areas – Conservation, Operations, Finance and Administration, People & Culture, Organizational Development, Communications, Partnerships and Fundraising, achieving first-rate KPIs and building strong and empowered offices with highly motivated, committed and skilled staff that deliver conservation impact at scale.

• Lead the vision, strategic planning, and future institutional development of WWF Caucasus.
• At the regional level, provide thought leadership at the highest organisational level with its key partners in and outside WWF to ensure optimal engagement and relationship management for mutually beneficial partnerships, profile building, fundraising, and policy influence.
• Provide overall leadership, ensuring the WWF Caucasus Strategic Plan is continuously subject to adaptive management and effectively implemented to deliver impact at scale, contributing successfully to priorities defined in WWF's Roadmap 2030.
• Ensure that WWF Caucasus has a solid Resource Acquisition strategy, including a sound Financial Sustainability Plan, and is financially strong to deliver on its conservation agenda through effective fundraising from diverse sources, and strong cost recovery.
• Ensure effective communication and partnerships with the WWF Network, governments, international organisations, communities, other non-governmental organisations, industry and the public to ensure a strong profile of WWF Caucasus and its activities, as well as leverage opportunities at national, regional and global levels.
• Dive operational excellence and ensure WWF Caucasus activities comply with relevant government and legal requirements and ethical standards. Ensure the compliance of WWF Caucasus with WWF International and agreed WWF Network policies, standards and procedures.
• Represent WWF Caucasus at network meetings, vis-à-vis government, industry leaders, key supporters and stakeholders.
• Ensure effective programme delivery, portfolio management and on-time quality technical, financial and management reporting to donors and all relevant parts of the WWF Network, according to agreed standards.
• Lead staff effectively through the creation of a shared organisational development vision, ensuring that all staff in the region understand their contribution, including the establishment of appropriate organisational structures, policies, processes, and departmental/office responsibilities.
• Engages all staff to promote staff engagement and satisfaction, ensuring that the senior management team approve relevant work plans to increase staff engagement, measured through regular surveys conducted by WWF International
• Establish, implement and ensure that the Office is effectively and efficiently managed in all key areas – conservation, operations, finance, P&C, communications, marketing, fundraising and policy and partnerships.
• Effectively lead, coordinate, manage and develop the senior management team as a cohesive decision-making body, and support them in executing the strategy and managing talent and resources.
• Build a culture of performance, positivity, engagement, creativity and work ethics. Foster the learning, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing climate in all three offices.

Profile

• At least 10 years of professional experience in a leadership role, 3-5 years of which should be in the South Caucasus region, with demonstrated success in managing multi-disciplinary teams and multi-donor budgets. Experience with Conservation INGOs will be a strong advantage.
• Master's degree in business management, International Relations, Development, or other related fields. A degree in an environmental or conservation field will be an advantage.
• Proven track record in successfully developing, leading, and managing large-scale programs and/or institutions in the field of conservation, natural resource management, international development, and/or other related fields.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Proven excellent leadership and management skills, capacity to manage financial resources, strong skills in project planning, fundraising, programme implementation and evaluation.
• Demonstrated fundraising skills and experience in partnering with donors/government aid agencies.
• Excellent communication skills in English and additionally a strong hold of national languages will be an asset.
• Excellent inter-personal skills, ability to operate at all levels and liaise effectively with local communities, government agencies, governmental policy and decision makers, as well as the business community.
• A track record of building organisational talent by nurturing a performance culture and encouraging empowerment and delegation.
• Proven knowledge and experience of the non-profit sector, preferably of environmental non-governmental organisations.
• Demonstrated experience in developing, implementing and evaluating strategic plans.
• High-level negotiation, collaborating and influencing skills and the capacity to develop and maintain strong relationships at all levels in the business, not-for-profit, scientific and political communities.
• Identifies and aligns with the core values of the WWF organisation: Courage, Collaboration, Respect & Integrity.
• Demonstrates WWF behaviours in ways of working: strive for impact, listen deeply, collaborate openly and innovate fearlessly.

Working Relationships

Internal: interacts with the Regional Director Europe and North Africa (Country Offices), WWF Caucasus Branch Office Directors, Senior Management and staff across the offices of WWF Caucasus. Coordinates with the Regional Office Management Team and WWF Network

External: Interacts with the leadership of national government institutions, (I)NGOs, Academic Institutions, Media, Donors, Specialists/Consultants and other stakeholders in collaboration with the Regional Director as appropriate

The job descriptions cover the main tasks and convey the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organisational needs.

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

Terms of Appointment

One year contract with extension based on performance.

Role Location

Tbilisi, Georgia

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please ensure you complete the Application Form provided below by 16 December 2025 (23:59 hrs, GMT +4). It is essential that you submit your CV in English, specifically in Microsoft Word format (.doc/.docx), not exceeding 10MB.

Applications in other languages or formats will not be considered.

Rest assured, all information will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.

SRI Executive is exclusively retained by WWF International to undertake this assignment.