Position: Technical Advisor (SONG), Papua New Guinea
Reports to: Country Director
Location: Port Moresby NCD.
Country Program/Sector: WCS Papua New Guinea
Position Type: Full time
Coordinates with: Terrestrial and Marine Programme Coordinators in PNG, Finance and Operations and the Legal and Policy Advisor, WCS PNG team, South-East Asia-Pacific Regional team and global teams
Job Purpose
The Technical Advisor for the Solwara na Graun Blo Pipol (SoNG) project will oversee the implementation of a major grant supporting the global 30x30 agenda and delivering biodiversity, climate and community well-being outcomes in Papua New Guinea.
The project focuses on the long-term sustainability of forest, marine and coastal ecosystems, while improving livelihoods for communities dependent on these resources. SoNG, meaning “Ocean and Land for the People” in Tok Pisin, is funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) from 2025 to 2029.
The Technical Advisor will lead overall project management, including delivery of objectives, donor reporting, compliance, stakeholder coordination, and technical guidance, with support from WCS PNG, Regional and Global teams. The role is full-time and based in Port Moresby.
Major Responsibilities
SONG Coordination
- Lead coordination and overall management of the SoNG project with AFD, Expertise France, TNC, WCS teams and external stakeholders.
- Coordinate implementation across PNG project sites through regular engagement with field teams and partners.
- Serve as the main focal point for AFD staff in PNG and France.
- Lead WCS technical support to the Biodiversity and Climate Fund to support its operationalisation as PNG’s first conservation trust fund.
- Develop, manage and monitor workplans, budgets, financial processes and compliance requirements.
- Maintain project management systems to ensure timely implementation, reporting and delivery.
- Review project outputs and deliverables to ensure quality and alignment with donor expectations.
- Oversee monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and environmental and social safeguard compliance.
- Maintain records of project achievements, risks, challenges and lessons learned.
- Manage sub-awards, procurement, contracts and service providers.
- Lead project communications, including communication plans and progress updates.
Technical Advisory
- Represent WCS PNG with international donors and stakeholders including AFD, Expertise France, UNDP, the French Embassy and foreign government partners.
- Provide technical advice and capacity building to the broader WCS PNG Program in biodiversity conservation, monitoring and related areas.
- Support the development of local scientific and technical expertise through mentoring and knowledge sharing.
- Work with the Conservation Director and programme teams to co-author peer-reviewed publications using project data and outcomes.
Internal Qualification RequirementsMinimum Requirements and Job Skills:
• Masters degree in environmental science, policy or natural resource management, with some social science skills preferred.
• A minimum of 8 years’ experience with project management associated with natural resource management, marine and terrestrial conservation management, or climate change adaptation. Knowledge and experience in nature-based solutions, climate change adaptation, community-based management and sustainable financing an advantage.
• Proven ability and experience to manage projects, ideally AFD or other international donor funded projects, and set and meet multiple deadlines.
• Proven ability to manage, guide and support multicultural and geographically widely dispersed teams and staff of different capacities.
• Strong communication and leadership skills
• Experience with donor reporting requirements, particularly from European donors.
• Ability to travel frequently to remote project locations in Papua New Guinea and work under difficult field conditions
• Ability to make sound decisions based on analysis, consultation with others, experience, and judgment and strong problem solving mindset.
• Excellent computer skills and office applications
• Good communication and presentation skills; ability to persuasively convey the mission of WCS to diverse groups, especially local stakeholders and constituents who are critical to the organisation’s overall prosperity.
• Must demonstrate strong verbal and written skills in English to international standards
Preferred requirements:
• Knowledge of Papua New Guinean or Melanesian cultural contexts is a strong advantage
• A working knowledge of French will be an advantage
WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and engaging a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on gender, race/ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, caste, genetic information or any other covered status or characteristic protected by laws and regulations/and similar categories.
How to apply:
Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications, skills and experience, should apply through the application tab below or by sending an updated curriculum vitae and cover letter to yelango@wcs.org and akakau@wcs.org by 5th June 2026 [DH1.1](although applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis).
WCS is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same values.
