Senior Program Officer, Resilient Rivers & Hydrology

World Wildlife Fund, Inc.; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

World Wildlife Fund, Inc. seeks a Senior Program Officer, Resilient Rivers to provide technical analysis and project management across geographies, aligning with WWF’s CRRI and Priority Places strategies.

The role emphasizes hydrologic assessment, partnership development, and effective communication with internal and external stakeholders. The position requires a strong background in freshwater conservation, GIS proficiency, and excellent writing and public speaking skills, with relocation not

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Hydrology, Environmental or Freshwater Science or related field. Master’s Degree preferred.
• 6 years professional experience or 3 years with an advanced degree in natural resource management, conservation, hydrology, water resource engineering, or landscape or regional planning.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct quantitative analysis of the benefits of freshwater protection and restoration.
• Basic GIS skills required; advanced GIS and Python programming skills preferred.
• Understanding of and passion for river or freshwater conservation.
• Excellent writing and public speaking skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and experience working cross-culturally.
• Ability to operate with independence, under pressure, and to meet deadlines and commitments.

Responsibilities

• Support and lead report writing, proposal development and resource mobilization with public and private sector partners.
• Lead technical assessments to underpin project and program development, focused on quantifying hydrologic benefits of freshwater protection and restoration.
• Liaise with Corporate Water Stewardship colleagues, Science, and Protected and Conserved Areas teams, and other WWF offices for technical, research, policy and other insights related to CRRI, freshwater protection mechanisms, and freshwater restoration and resilience.
• Lead technical assessment, map making, knowledge management, reporting and M&E.
• Co-lead communications and outreach for the CRRI, writing about and presenting on CRR internally to WWF staff and externally at workshops and conferences.
• Engage and support WWF offices and liaise with other teams to connect and link CRR with other critical WWF priorities.
• Conduct research, monitor and analyzes new technical information, policies, tools, and global trends related to freshwater protection and restoration.
• Develop, plan and implement components of new and ongoing projects and grants. Work with project personnel, grantees, consultants, and other goal team staff to facilitate coordination, communication, and regular reporting for current projects.
• Interact regularly with representatives of WWF-International, other WWF offices and associate organizations, grantees, and consultants to ensure successful delivery of projects and to advance progress on the CRRI strategy.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Project & Program Management – Effectively plans, implements, and oversees projects, ensuring timely delivery of outcomes and alignment with objectives.
• Technical Analysis & Assessments – Uses GIS and hydrological analysis to map and quantify benefits of freshwater protection, conservation, and restoration.
• Stakeholder & Partnership Management – Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with internal teams, NGOs, governments, and other partners.
• Strategic Communications, Thinking & Integration – Links initiative work with broader organizational goals and global conservation trends, including through writing and presenting.
• Adaptability & Leadership – Navigates complex, multi-geography projects while guiding teams and facilitating collaboration.

Skills

Hydrology

Environmental Science

Public speaking

Writing

GIS

Python

Fundraising

Cross-cultural collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Hydrology, Environmental or Freshwater Science

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

GIS

Python

Job description

World Wildlife Fund, Inc. seeks a Senior Program Officer, Resilient Rivers to provide technical analysis and project management across geographies, aligning with WWF’s CRRI and Priority Places strategies.

The role emphasizes hydrologic assessment, partnership development, and effective communication with internal and external stakeholders. The position requires a strong background in freshwater conservation, GIS proficiency, and excellent writing and public speaking skills, with relocation not