Policy Program Manager

Job Opportunity with WCS!

WCS is looking for a “Policy Program Manager” to join our team.

 Location: WCS Vientiane
 Type: Full-Time
 Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (1.5-hour lunch break)
• Reports to (Supervisors): Deputy Country Director.
• Country Program/Sector: WCS Lao Program, Greater Mekong Region, GCP
• Expected travel: As required within the country to field offices, and internationally if/when needed
• Supervisory For: Central Policy Program Coordinator

• Organization Background:
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, tax-exempt, private organization established in 1895 that saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, presence in more than 60 nations, and experience helping to establish over 150 protected areas across the globe, WCS has amassed the biological knowledge, cultural understanding and partnerships to ensure that vibrant, wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities. Working with local communities and organizations, that knowledge is applied to address species, habitat and ecosystem management issues critical to improving the quality of life of poor rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct utilization of natural resources.

• WCS Lao Program Overview:
WCS began working in Lao PDR in the 1980s, surveying wildlife and habitats around the country to assist the government in creating Lao PDR’s national protected area system. In the early 1990s, WCS documented wildlife and habitats in many of the newly created national protected areas and began supporting the government to train protected area managers, as well as raise awareness about illegal wildlife trade. In 1994, WCS officially established a country office in Lao PDR. Over almost three decades, WCS Lao PDR has successfully implemented more than 30 projects with the Government of Lao PDR, supported by more than 30 donors, and has increasingly moved away from a project approach into a more integrated, programmatic, strategic, and holistic approach to conservation.
Our vision for the Lao PDR Program is that the unique ecosystems of Lao PDR thrive indefinitely and are valued by the people of Lao PDR, and the world, for their biodiversity, natural beauty, and the services they provide to humanity. A core strategy to fulfill that vision is to improve protection and management of wildlife and wild places by building the capacity and meaningful participation of government and local stakeholders, raising public awareness through conservation outreach and education, providing alternative livelihoods—including nature-based tourism—to guardian villages, influencing institutional, policy, legal and regulatory reforms relevant to protected areas and wildlife, developing the national wildlife health surveillance network, and combatting illegal wildlife trade.
The current portfolio consists of (i) Four conservation landscapes: Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park (NEPL NP), Bolikhamxai Landscape, Khoun Xe-Nong Ma Landscape, and Xe Champhone Wetlands; (ii) Two cross-cutting programs on Counter-Wildlife Trafficking and Wildlife Health; and (iii) a thematic focus on conservation policy and research.

• Job Purpose Summary:
The Policy Program Manager will work under the supervision of the Deputy Country Director, and work closely with the International Policy Technical Advisor.

The PPM will provide day-to-day management of the team and activities and provide technical expertise to the national conservation policy development and their implementation in WCS landscapes. WCS Laos policy priority for the foreseeable future will heavily focus on the operationalization of biodiversity mitigation hierarchy in investment projects affecting high biodiversity value areas.

Core responsibilities are to:

1) manage team and activities for effective implementation of policy-related programs at central and landscape levels;
2) support Deputy Country Director in continuously developing future policy goals based on landscape-level conservation effectiveness and challenges;
3) in WCS role as the Biodiversity Service Provider (BSP) to NNP1 NNL program, spearhead regular meetings, monitoring, and mission with the program stakeholders (WCS policy and landscape teams, NN1 company, relevant government agencies);
4) oversee the team and activity for continued integration of policy goals with field activities, especially on the biodiversity mitigation hierarchy, drawing lessons from no net loss and compensation experiences (NN1, NT2 etc.) for implementing Activity 2.5 of the NPA Roadmap; and
5) support high-level dialogue with government, development partners, and private sector partners, including on topics of innovative financing and governance solutions.

 Key Responsibilities Include:
Main tasks/duties/responsibilities:
1. Policy Development and Integration
• Work closely with the International Policy TA on developing and refining various conservation policies with focus on the biodiversity mitigation hierarchy;
• Develop, manage, monitor, and report on workplans and budget for secured and prospective funding sources;
• Ensure compliance with all grants, contracts, and MOU with other parties e.g., GoL, partners, and donors;
• Actively liaise and stay up to date with technical organizations, policy experts especially on investment impacts, private sector, and communities from the landscapes including for receiving any grievances from stakeholders;
• Serve as focal point for inter-ministerial processes and technical working groups, including sub-sector groups under the Round Table Meeting mechanism, related to biodiversity, natural resources, industries, and to the extent relevant to investment projects – sustainable financing .
• Translate policy recommendations into actionable mechanisms in WCS landscapes and influence national-level implementation.
• Identify opportunities for new policy partnerships, funding proposals, and joint initiatives with government and development partners.
2. Strategic Stakeholder Engagement and Investment Impact Response
• Provide timely policy interventions to address emerging conservation threats in WCS priority landscapes (Nam Et–Phou Louey National Park, the Annamites, and Savannakhet) and other no-go areas as needed.
• Support cross-sectoral dialogues to mitigate risks from infrastructure, mining, hydropower, and other drivers of biodiversity loss.
• Maintain engagement with key stakeholders, particularly GoL, to explore and facilitate practical improvements in biodiversity mitigation implementation.
• Engage with private investors, EIA consultants, government departments, and technical experts on implementing biodiversity offsets.
• Organize and facilitate stakeholder meetings, ensuring clear agendas, participation, and strong technical content.
3. NN1 No Net Loss Program
• Ensure satisfactory implementation progress on the ADB-financed NN1 biodiversity No Net Loss program through proactive coordination within BSP-WCS and with the NN1 company.
• Lead regular interaction with BSP-WCS members, WCS policy staff, and NN1 company teams to ensure smooth program delivery and resolve challenges.
• Compile monitoring data, prepare reports, and deliver presentations to stakeholders (GoL, ADB, company, and independent advisors).
4. Policy Integration, Knowledge Sharing and capacity training
• Promote meaningful integration of NN1, NT2, other WCS engagements supported by various projects (COMBO+, FGMC2 Mining-Forest Nexus, and others) into national policy development on the biodiversity mitigation hierarchy.
• Lead or support policy discussions, analytical studies, and technical exchanges on biodiversity offsets and impact mitigation.
• Contribute to NPA Roadmap (Activity 2.5) implementation and other policy initiatives.
• Lead the implementation of workplan and budget specifically for capacity building (under COMBO+ and FGMC2 Mining-Forest Nexus funding and others as opportunities arise) to wide range of stakeholders in policy dialogues, NN1 counterparts, and WCS internal.
5. Representation and Partnerships
• Represent WCS in high-level dialogues, technical working groups, and donor coordination platforms.
• Strengthen relationships with key ministries (e.g., MAE, MOIC, MOF), civil society, academia, and the private sector.
• Contribute to WCS regional and global policy networks and knowledge exchange.

Carry out other duties, as required, to ensure successful operations

 Qualifications:
Education:

• Post-graduate degree in environmental science, natural resources, biodiversity conservation, environmental impact assessment/management, law, economics, or related fields. In exceptional cases, equivalent professional experience will be considered.
• At least 7 years of professional experience in conservation, biodiversity monitoring, or environmental impact assessment/management.
• Strong knowledge of biodiversity conservation, protected area governance, environmental law, and sustainable financing.
• Proven ability to communicate clearly with diverse audiences, including government officials, private sector, community stakeholders, and donor partners.
• Demonstrated project management experience, including staff supervision and donor reporting.
• Excellent organizational skills for managing reports, data, meetings, and activity plans.
• Professional proficiency in Lao and English (speaking and writing).
• Proactive, self-motivated, and eager to learn and adapt in complex policy environments.
Key Competencies
• Strategic thinker with ability to translate policy into practice.
• Skilled negotiator and facilitator across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple thematic portfolios and tight deadlines.
• Team player with cultural sensitivity and commitment to capacity development.

 To Apply:
Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications should apply by emailing an application letter and CV to  recruitmentlaos@wcs.org

 Deadline: 12 October 2025

 Subject line: Please include “Policy Program Manager” in the subject line of your email.

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 supporting 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 age, color, disability, gender identify, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by laws and regulations