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.

Position title:	Senior Safeguards Specialist
Reports to:	Conservation Programme Director, WWF Cambodia
Supervises:	N/A
Location:	Phnom Penh, Mondulkiri Province or Kratie Province with frequent travel and extended stays in programme sites
Date:	November 2025

1. MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT

WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future /in which humans live in harmony with nature. The vision of the conservation department of WWF-Cambodia is “Cambodia’s forests, rivers and wildlife are protected and conserved for all” that contribute the vision of WWF’s 2050 “we have a sustainable and healthy planet and we live within planetary boundaries”.

WWF-Cambodia focuses its conservation activities and the ultimate vision for the organisation to be aligned with the Royal Government of Cambodia’s vision for sustainable development, “By 2050, Cambodia’s biodiversity and its ecosystem services are valued, conserved, restored where necessary, wisely used and managed so as to ensure equitable economic prosperity and improved quality of life for all in the country”.

The goals of conservation department of WWF-Cambodia in the two landscapes are: increased habitat protection and connectivity, increase and stable species populations, increased benefits for community members protecting their landscape, and decreased threats of conversion.

2. MAJOR FUNCTIONS

The Senior Safeguards Specialist is responsible for overseeing, implementing, updating and reporting and coordinating all Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework (ESSF), Risk Management, and programs/projects QA related work for WWF- Cambodia Office to ensure compliance and best practice adherence.

The Senior Safeguards Specialist is the focal point to ensure the compliances and implementation of the ESSF, Statements of Principles, Risk Management, and Quality Assurance of programs/projects and application in both landscapes’ conservation programs, including with contract partners and counterparts. The position is responsible for providing technical guidance and supporting WWF Cambodia staff to implement the standards, including providing capacity building under the guidance of the regional focal points for ESSF, Risk and QA.

The Officer will also function as the National Focal Point for the Mekong Gender Equity, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) programme, coordinating with regional counterparts and leading in organizing GEDSI activities in Country.

The Senior Safeguards Specialist works with and coordinates all ESSF and Risk management activities with RQAC, QAC, CQC, due diligence and other relevant departments as the representative of WWF-Cambodia.

3. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Coordinates and reports o0n WWF-Cambodia’s implementation of the ESSF, Statements of Principles, Risk Management, and Quality Assuran0ce, including office-, regional- and network-level procedures.
Receives and conducts office-level reviews of safeguards screenings, assessment reports, mitigation frameworks and relevant plans from landscape leads, programme leads and project managers, and monitors the performance of landscapes, programmes and projects in accordance with ESSF requirements, Statements of Principles, conditions and recommendations from office Quality Assurance, regional Quality Assurance, QAC and/or CQC.
Ensures compliance with WWF standards by integrating the ESSF, Statements of Principles, Risk Management and Quality Assurance requirements and processes into project proposals, implementation plans, and monitoring and evaluation of WWF Cambodia programmes and projects. Develop office-level guidelines and standard operating procedures, and advise senior management on adapting internal processes to enable organisational efficiency and compliance.
Develops office-level technical guidance, processes, tools and templates for heads of landscapes, programme leads, project managers and relevant staff to complete ESSF screening, supplementary assessments, developing risk mitigation plans/measures, and monitoring of risks and measures for all WWF Cambodia landscapes, programmes and projects.
Coordinates, with the support of the regional team, capacity building activities for WWF Cambodia staff and contract partners through provision of trainings on ESSF, Statements of Principles, Risk Management and Quality Assurance, and implications for project development and implementation.
Advises WWF Cambodia programme leads and project managers on capacity building and guidance for third-party compliance with the ESSF and other standards (contract agreements, service providers, consultants, counterparts).
Develop and adapt training materials/presentations related to ESSF, Statements of Principles, Risk Management and Quality Assurance standards for the Cambodia context.
Manage and serve as focal point for WWF-Cambodia's Complaint Resolution Mechanism, ensuring it meets requirements of the ESSF and has comprehensive coverage across stakeholder groups, including when WWF Cambodia activities are implemented through third parties.
Regularly reports to senior management on the complaints case log and handling, including any complaints raised or escalated to WWF-International. Guides staff on responding to safeguards related complaints.
Provide guidance to programme leads and project managers in the application of the ESSF and Statements of Principles in the context of WWF Cambodia’s support to government-led activities, e.g. Protected Area zoning and law enforcement activities.
Coordinate and manage the Due Diligence process for conservation law enforcement support in both landscapes, ensuring risk assessment, mitigation, and partnership evaluation with relevant government agencies.
Work with the relevant teams on the WWF Cambodia country risk register, assessment, updating, and reporting to CMT and regional Risk lead and ESSF lead.
Work with programme leads, project managers, proposal development lead, and office QA committee through cycle of development, review and approval process including country review, regional review, WWF International Quality Assurance Committee (QAC), and potentially Conservation Quality Committee (CQC) - as appropriate.
Be the focal point for coordination and assurance that QAC comments/ recommendations are well addressed and implemented in different stage of projects -important process for proposal approval and project agreement signing.
Act as Focal Point for the Mekong Regional GEDSI Programme – representing country office interests and context in regional activities, while driving GEDSI mainstreaming across national programmes and activities.
Other related duties as required by Conservation Programme Director, Country Director and relevant managers.

4. PROFILE

Required Qualifications.

Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s degree preferred) in social science, management, law, anthropology, environmental management economics or related subjects.
At least 3 years of relevant experience in environmental and social safeguard systems and risk management in the conservation sector.
Demonstrated knowledge in the areas of Indigenous People’s rights and policy environmental and social safeguards in the conservation sector.
Demonstrated background in Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion in the Cambodia context.
Experience in designing training, facilitation, coaching, mentoring and capacity building development.
Experience in working in complex organisations and ability to lead and influence without formal authority.

Required Skills and Competencies.

Possessing influencing and leadership skills.
Possessing strong skills in negotiation, influencing and communication.
High degree of cultural sensitivity and ability to navigate complexity.
Ability to develop and facilitate participatory trainings and workshops and provide ongoing technical support to conservation team and relevant third parties.
Strong organisational skills, results-driven, creativity, and dynamism.
Sound judgement and decision-making skills.
Is able to work with various stakeholders at different levels in multicultural teams.
Is able to effectively organize and manage workload.
Is able to do report writing in English, analysis and research.
Is passionate about wildlife and conservation with the ability to galvanize the network and broader community around a shared agenda.
Work to the highest of integrity and team collaboration.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Fluency in English and Khmer languages, both oral and written skills.
Possesses practical skills in Microsoft Office (Word, and Excel).
Embraces the WWF mission and values of the organisation: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration.

5. 5 WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal.

Internal WWF: WWF Country Management Team, Landscape Leadership Team, Program Development, HR, Finance and Communications and Knowledge Management Teams.

WWF Network: Work with WWF Int’l ESSF and Risk Management Teams, WWF Asia Pacific’s Safeguards, Risk, Mekong Regional GEDSI Programme Team, and QA team and relevant WWF network office0s.

External.

Interact with third parties contract agreements and NGOs/CBOs partners, and relevant international NGOs.

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 organisational needs.

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

Deadline for applications: 13 August 2026

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.

Before you apply

We review listings for quality, but organizations may update or amend a posting at any time, so confirm the role and closing date on the organization's official site before applying. No genuine employer charges a fee to apply, interview, or process an application — treat any request for payment as a scam. If a detail looks wrong or the posting seems fraudulent, report this job.

Apply on WWF's website

Similar Jobs