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: Rural Development and Project Manager
Reports to: Conservation Director
Supervises: Related project staff
Location: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Date: September, 2026

I. Background
The aim of the Conservation Department is to deliver high quality conservation outcomes set in the WWF Mongolia Strategic Plan aligned with Regional Strategy and Road Map 2030 and Practices in effective and efficient way. The Rural Development and Project Manager will be responsible for leading the implementation of the snow leopard conservation project in alignment with WWF Mongolia’s strategic conservation priorities. The role will ensure that project activities are delivered effectively and efficiently, with a strong emphasis on operational excellence, accountability, and measurable conservation impact on the ground

II. Major Function
Under the supervision of the Conservation Director, this position will assist the Conservation director in coordinating all project activities by providing technical, management and coordination and ensuring compliance with approved policies, procedures of WWF Network and Donor requirements. Additionally, the position will focus on fostering sustainable livelihoods and rural development aspects within the OSP, ASER and AHEC strategies while understanding the conservation needs of the programmes.

III. Major Duties and Responsibilities
STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
• Handles full responsibility for the overall management and successful delivery of the project, ensuring all activities are implemented on time and in accordance with approved work plans, WWF Network policies, and donor requirements.
• Manages and guides project staff and consultants contracted by the project to work on the activities and objectives, and ensures that their work is conducted in a timely manner and hold high quality.
• Provides technical support to field staff and local stakeholders to facilitate coordination of day-to-day activities
• Builds and ensures effective communication and collaboration with governments at different levels, community based organizations and other stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation of the project.
• Develops TORs and recruits external experts and consultants in accordance with the WWF standard.
• Elaborates quarterly, bi-annual and annual work plans for projects and monitors their implementation both in terms of conservation deliveries and financial compliance.
• Ensures that findings of field activities are effectively communicated at policy level in order to deliver high conservation impact.
• Provides technical backstopping on marketing, communication as well as conservation issues to the field staff and other relevant staff at the programme office.
• Ensures accurate and timely submission of success stories from the field, bi-annual and annual technical progress reports and any ad-hoc reports required by the donor to project leader and all relevant parties of the WWF Network.
• Assesses project risks and issues and provides solutions if needed.
• Ensures project’s adhere to frameworks and all documentation is maintained appropriately.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND CAPACITY BUILDING
• Design conservation-oriented business development and strengthen herder community cooperatives
• Develop business analysis and local value chain options for herders and communities
• Support capacity building and business plans for herders and communities
• Ensure responsible business practices and environmentally friendly technologies in herder cooperatives
• Conduct community engagement initiatives to understand needs and concerns related to rural development, and livelihoods of herder communities.
• Engage with external partners to explore opportunities for sustainable development interventions.
PLANNING, MONITORING, AND REPORTING
• Design and manage strategic Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) frameworks to ensure alignment with project objectives, support evidence-based decision-making, and assess overall impact and effectiveness.
• Collect relevant data on rural development indicators and community progress.
• Compile and analyze data to create reports for internal & external use and stakeholder engagement.
• Submit regular reports to supervisors and relevant project coordinators on project status and community feedback.
SUSTAINABILITY AND EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVES
• Integrate sustainability principles into rural development initiatives for long-term impact.
• Empower local communities through skill-building programs and income-generating activities.
• Advocate for environmentally friendly practices and resource management within the community.
• Communicate project goals and outcomes effectively within the community and among stakeholders.
• Advocate for rural development initiatives, highlighting their benefits and impacts on the community.

IV. Profile
Required Qualifications
• Timely and high-quality implementation of all project activities, with comprehensive reports compliant with WWF Network and donor requirements.
• Strategic oversight and technical guidance provided to project teams, consultants, and stakeholders to ensure effective coordination and execution.
• Developed, monitored, and adjusted work plans while proactively managing risks to ensure the successful achievement of project objectives.
• Established business development strategies tailored for conservation objectives.
• Strengthened and expanded herder community cooperatives through capacity building, business planning, and eco-friendly technologies.
• Detailed business analysis reports outlining local value chain options for herders.
• Identified and recommended viable business opportunities for community development.
• Increased community awareness and understanding of conservation-oriented & sustainable development practices.
• Accurate documentation of community progress and developmental milestones.
Required Skills and Competencies
• Higher degree in an agriculture business-related field; relevant work experience may substitute for higher academic qualification
• At least 5 years of professional experience in program and project management, including Business & Marketing, and rural development
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English to facilitate effective collaboration and reporting.
• Proven ability to complete projects within scope, budget, and timeline
• Proficiency in problem-solving and analyzing data.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for effective team collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
• Familiarity with conservation and natural resource management in Mongolia is advantageous
• Embraces the WWF mission and values of the organization: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration..

Application Deadline: 00:00am, 21 August 2026

HOW TO APPLY:

Candidates must submit their applications, via email to info@wwf.mn with below documents:

1. A Cover letter;
2. A Curriculum Vitae (CV);
3. 3 or more names and contact details for reference
4. Copies of diplomas or certificates of studies
5. Copy of Identification card

Only those who meet the requirements will be contacted. Please be aware that if you have not been contacted within two weeks after the closing date, your application was not successful.

WWF Mongolia is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

Please upload your covering letter and CV in English. Priority will be given to applications with both documents indicated.

Deadline for applications: XXX

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.