WWF Uganda Country Office is looking for experienced, dynamic and committed professionals to support WWF Uganda Country Office to main stream innovations across its programmes. The World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is one of the largest independent conservation organizations in the world. We are an international NGO committed to environmental protection active in almost 100 countries. WWF has a growing conservation
Programme in the Republic of Uganda. WWF Uganda Country Office (WWF UCO) works with central and local government agencies, private sector, civil society organizations (CSOs) and the local communities to implement its various conservation programmes on Energy and Climate, Forestry and Wildlife, and Freshwater in Uganda.

To help WWF in managing this challenging conservation agenda, and be aligned with WWF’s network initiative and the global conservation priorities, the WWF-Uganda Country Office is looking for experienced, dynamic and committed professionals to support the conservation delivery in WWF Uganda Country Office.

Position: Innovations Specialist

Reports to: Conservation Programs Manager

Location: Kampala

Duration: 1-year startup phase with 3 years extension

Job Description

Major Functions

WWF UCO with support from WWF Denmark is initiating an Innovations Unit within the Country Office to identify innovative ways for responding to common conservation challenges faced in the recent programming work. The goal of the position is to develop, accelerate and scale-up innovative solutions that contribute to WWF Uganda’s conservation work. The innovations specialist will be responsible for starting up, coordinating and evaluating an innovation programme at WWF Uganda.

Key responsibilities will be to (1) establish enabling conditions for innovation (ecosystem building), (2) to design and facilitate innovation processes to support teams on the ground in developing solutions, (3) to identify and build partnerships around innovation, (4) to document and share the lessons from the innovation project.

Specific tasks:

a) Review the innovation work of WWF globally and explore what can be built on and replicated in the Ugandan context

b) Support ‘mapping’ of the local innovation ecosystem; identify key potential partners, and facilitate connections to promote innovative and collaborative approaches to conservation challenges

c) Identify and support local ‘solution’ development goals, and provide coaching to assist the team to co-create solution(s), including: ideation with the ‘right’ partners at the table, conducting empathy work, developing and testing ‘minimum viable product’ (MVP) and prototypes, validating solutions and business plans.

d) Catalyze local innovation to develop solutions, with enthusiasm, fresh perspective and support – help the local team as they launch their local innovation journey, to develop solutions to top local conservation challenges.

e) Establish sustainable funding models for communities to scale up conservation innovations

f) Promote value addition and green employment among women, male and female youth.

g) Attract private sector partnerships to accelerate and sustain bankable conservation innovations in climate change, extractives, fresh water, forests, wildlife and Energy.

Major deliverables in 2021

a) Explore, map and engage the innovation ecosystem in Uganda

b) Innovation sprints and open innovation challenge designed.

c) At least four innovation sprints with new solutions, business models developed, tested and validated.

d) Active Private sector partnerships for innovations formed

e) Conservation Financing Innovations for local communities developed

f) Jobs created as a result of innovations

Profile of candidate

Required Qualifications/experience

a) An advanced degree in a relevant subject (such as innovation, entrepreneurship, business, technology and natural resources enterprises).

b) At least five years relevant professional experience in developing and piloting innovations

c) Proven experience and/or experience in leading Innovation processes and approaches e.g. design thinking, human centered design, prototyping, business development, and social entrepreneurship

d) Experience and or education in the following areas is an advantage: rural and agricultural innovation, nature-based enterprises, natural resources or agriculture economics

e) Prior knowledge and hands-on experience within the Ugandan/East African innovation
ecosystem.

f) A strong network to relevant actors in innovation ecosystem in Uganda is a distinct advantage

g) Experience with community building, socio-economic impact, engaging leaders and successful networking

Required Skills and Competences

a) Ability to inspire, excite and engage people in experimentation and unfolding their potential to innovate

b) Ability to come up with creative, practical and lean solutions to solve problems

c) Excellent communications skills, both written and verbal (English)

d) Facilitation skills relevant to drive innovation processes in the intersection between business and conservation

e) Ability to work independently, persistently and determined while encouraging collaboration, coordination, participation and partnership-building

f) Good networking skills and ability to apply them to drive open innovation processes and build up a culture of innovation at WWF

g) Adheres to WWF’s values, which are: Engaging, Optimistic, Determined, Knowledgeable

h) Interest in conservation and environmental and social issues.

Working Relationships:

Internal: Interacts and closely works with the Energy, Climate and Extractives Programme team, Forestry, fresh water and wildlife programme team and the entire administrative staff in Uganda Country Office.

External: Interacts with the related Central & Local Government and related departments and agencies among others; Private sector and Civil Society Institutions working on Energy, Climate change Extractives, Forestry, Fresh water and wildlife issues, including national and regional networks; Regional Office of Africa, and National Offices supporting programs in Uganda.

This job description covers the main tasks 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.

How to apply?

Application letters, detailed Curriculum Vitae including names, email addresses and telephone contact details of three (3) referees, plus copies of academic qualifications (sent as one document) should be emailed to: recruitment@wwfuganda.org Not later than 22nd April 2021. Please quote the position title in the email subject line and remember to fill the Google form for the respective role as no applications will be processed without the respective Google form filled. You can access the Google form via the following link: https://forms.gle/h1bDKcWfrhbciGQ29

Please see full job descriptions at: – http://www.wwfuganda.org/our_story/vacancies/

Thank you in advance for your interest in this position.

Please note that only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted for follow
up. If you have not been contacted six (6) weeks after closing date, consider your
application unsuccessful.

WWF is an equal opportunity employer and committed to having a diverse workforce.
Female Ugandan nationals are encouraged to apply.

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