WWF is one of the world’s leading non-governmental and non-profit organizations for nature conservation. WWF has been established in 1961, and has representative offices in over 100 countries across the globe and approximately 7000 employees. The organization is proud of its supporters of over five million people.

WWF Adria is representing WWF within the countries of Western Balkans with approximately more than 60 employees. It operates through a WWF Adria office in Zagreb (Croatia), WWF Adria-Serbia office in Belgrade, and partner organizations and consultants within the rest of the region. To implement its conservation goals WWF Adria operates in the structure of different programmes (Marine, Freshwater, Protected Areas & Governance and Wildlife) which are contributing to protection of different ecosystems or to the improvement of governance of protected areas within the Protected Areas & Governance Programme.

As an international organization, we support a working environment of diversity based on justice and mutual respect. We therefore welcome every application - regardless of ethnic, social and national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status and political views.

WWF Adria aims to drive a paradigm shift in environment and climate sector in the Western Balkans towards nature conservation and long-term sustainable management that are built on principles of inclusion, transparency, fairness and equity. To achieve that, we need i) good governance and policy systems in place that enable sustainable management and use of natural resources, and ii) educated and empowered civil society to engage in environmental stewardship and decision making.
 

For majority of the Western Balkan countries, accession to the European Union is an important objective, which will entail a number of reforms and policy framework adjustments. Environment and Climate is one such area. Accurate transposition and adequate implementation of this acquis is of the utmost importance to WWF, as this legal and regulatory framework holds the key to good governance in environment, nature and climate.
 

While most accession countries have developed a relatively solid strategic and legal framework for environment and climate change, the implementation of the developed policies remains weak, and results in different environmental problems such as inadequate waste management, air and water pollution, unsustainable natural resource use, and ineffective protection of natural values.

Proliferation of these problems has sparked an increase in a number of local organizations and initiatives which are trying to influence environmental policies, but still poorly. Capacities, interests, and circumstances of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and grass-roots Community Based Organizations (CBOs) are diverse, and there is a need for flexible and adjustable mechanisms for support and capacity development. Namely, effective and lasting resolution of these problems can only happen through well-structured processes, where strong and credible CSOs are participating as equal partners to the governmental institutions.
 

Project “Serbia Actions in the Field of Environment and Nature and Climate (“SAFE Nature and Climate”) is designed to i) support establishment of enabling environment for CSOs, and ii) support the implementation of EU environment acquis. Specifically, the project aims to increase influence and capacities of CSOs to address EU reform and integration processes in the fields of environment and climate, by i) strengthening capacities of Serbia CSOs for influencing environmental and climate change policies, and ii) promoting dialogue and active citizen engagement as a prerequisite for sound and efficient environmental reforms for EU accession. This will be achieved by providing financial support and capacity building to CSOs and CBOs from all over Serbia, as well as through policy advocacy efforts.
 

WWF is seeking an Environment and Climate Policy Officer to join our team, in order to: i) lead on the implementation of SAFE Nature and Climate project in Serbia, ii) develop and lead policy advocacy efforts in Serbia related to environment and climate, and iii) coordinate and support policy advocacy actions in other non-EU member states that WWF Adria operates in.

 

 
Competencies:

 

Are you interested in this position and do you recognize yourself in the above profile? Then we invite you to express your interest until February 4th 2022 by sending an e-mail with motivation letter and CV in English with list of two references to jmarkovic@wwfadria.org and titled „Program Officer – environment and climate policy “. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted, and for selected candidates interview will be held virtually.