Manager - Strategy

Emirates Nature is a UAE environmental non-governmental charity, established in 2001 under the Honorary Founder and President H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan as a legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed’s vision for the United Arab Emirates. HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the Ruler’s representative in the Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of Environmental Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) Board of Directors.

We operate with offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah and are governed by a local board of directors. Emirates Nature works in association with WWF, one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations. Emirates Nature-WWF has been active in the UAE for two decades and is renowned for its commitment to biodiversity conservation, habitat protection, sustainable development, and community engagement.

Some of our flagship projects include marine conservation initiatives to protect coral reefs and marine species, wildlife conservation programs focusing on endangered species such as Arabian oryx and sea turtles, habitat restoration projects in critical ecosystems, and sustainable development initiatives aimed at mitigating climate change impacts and promoting eco-friendly practices across various sectors.

It is our organizational objective to ensure a high performing workforce within our offices with highly efficient, skilled members all of whom will be unilaterally focused on supporting and delivering conservation activities to our stakeholders within the UAE.

As a Manager - Strategy at Emirates Nature-WWF, you will drive growth and success by collaborating closely with all units to develop and execute strategic initiatives that align with the organization’s goals. This role involves providing insight and reporting on the organization’s external environment and operational horizon, integrating insights from impact assessments into the planning process. Working alongside the Head of Risk & Impact, the Manager will ensure a comprehensive view of the strategic context for the Management Team, Foundation Board, and relevant sub-committees. The ideal candidate is innovative, diplomatic, data-driven, and an experienced strategic thinker and executor.

• Support the development and implement strategic plans aligned with the organization’s vision, mission, and goals.
• Conduct in-depth market research to identify emerging trends, competitive landscape, and growth opportunities.
• Support strategic initiatives across partnerships, coalitions, grant-making, community engagement, and donor engagement.
• Serve as the main contact for day-to-day relationship management for key projects with government officials and influencers.
• Collaborate across departments to ensure strategic alignment and input for planning.
• Research and assess program ideas with the Management Team to ensure mission alignment.
• Analyse industry trends, competitor activities, and market risks to identify strategic risks and opportunities.
• Support alignment with regulators, government bodies, and mission-aligned entities.
• Work with the Strategy & Growth team to integrate external environment insights into the organization’s planning processes.
• Identify strategic questions and manage research/analysis to inform discussions at the Directors’ Team and related teams.
• Manage the updates for our Impact Framework, ensuring that learning is integrated into planning and decision-making for greater impact.
• Collaborate with the Strategy and Planning team to enhance the long-term strategy using relevant tools and approaches.
• Provide input to support an integrated view of strategic direction and results.
• Lead updates and strategic refreshes of the strategy as needed.
• Partner with internal communications to engage staff effectively in strategic initiatives.
• Conduct research to identify growth opportunities and make data-driven recommendations.
• Regularly track and report on initiative progress, ensuring alignment with strategic direction in coordination with Head – Risk and Impact.
• Identify and address risks or obstacles in the execution of strategic initiatives.
• Stay current on industry trends and best practices to drive continuous improvement in strategic planning.
• Prepare strategic documents (e.g., memos, presentations) for stakeholder communication.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the organization.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, economics, or a conservation related field. A Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Conservation, Project Management, Sustainable Development, or a related field is welcomed.
• Relevant certifications in Project Management (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) are highly desirable.
• Additional certifications in Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), or Data Analytics related to program delivery can be an advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in programme/project management roles, with at least 2-3 years in a managerial position within an NGO, preferably in environmental or conservation sectors.
• Proven experience in managing multi-disciplinary teams and delivering complex, high-impact programs in the environmental sector.
• Experience working with government agencies, donors, and community stakeholders on environmental conservation projects.
• Demonstrated ability to manage program budgets, donor reporting, and financial oversight of large-scale projects.
• Prior experience in the UAE or GCC region with a good understanding of local environmental regulations and cultural contexts is a plus.
• Experience in grant writing, donor relations, and securing funding for large-scale environmental projects is an asset.

• Proven experience in strategic planning in a managerial role.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Excellent leadership and collaboration abilities to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and business acumen to understand complex market dynamics and identify growth opportunities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex concepts to stakeholders at all levels.
• Advanced proficiency in market research and competitive analysis techniques.
• Proficiency in using strategic planning software and tools.
• Strong project management skills to drive the implementation of strategic initiatives.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• High level of self-motivation, initiative, and ability to work autonomously.

Emirates Nature-WWF Focus: Acts as a member of Emirates Nature-WWF, placing higher priority on Emirates Nature-WWF goals than own goals and anticipating the effects of own area’s actions on others to ensure holistic Emirates Nature-WWF outcomes.

External Orientation: Looks outwards ensuring WWF stays relevant, continues to anticipate and adapt to external environmental and global trends.

Delivering Quality Outcomes: Establishes stretch goals, plans, using best judgment and takes responsibility for planning to and delivering on outcomes.

Building Working Relationships: Builds collaborative relationships through the understanding and development of other’s and own ideas.

Communicating Effectively: Uses appropriate means of communication to convey messages, seeks input from others and ensures understanding.

Leading Teams: Develops direction and shared purpose, builds a team through coaching to ensure the accomplishment of goals and high level team performance.

Leading Change: Encourages and seeks out innovative solutions and brings people on a journey constructively and empathetically.

Managing Resources: Makes the right judgments based on financial and resource availability.

Establishing Strategic Direction: Generates options to achieve long-range goals, selects the best strategies for success and delivers on strategic goals.

Building Organizational Capability: Diagnoses individual and team capability and development needs and champions talent management.

Internal: all Units

External: local government agencies, regulators, private and public sector partners, international conservation bodies, media, suppliers, and contractors

Emirates Nature-WWF is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome diversity in the workplace and offer a flexible and diverse place of employment.

Emirates Nature-WWF staff participate wholeheartedly in general activities and events that require the full support and participation of all staff members, whether the focus of any particular event or activity has any bearing on the job description and assigned project objectives and activities.

Further, this position requires international travel and participation in global forums and conferences, advocating for Emirates Nature-WWF’s mission at the highest levels. Flexibility and adaptability are essential, as the role will involve leading multiple projects across various time zones.

Please send your application consisting of a cover letter explaining why you are the right candidate to work with EN-WWF and your CV with the subject ‘Application for Manager - Strategy’ to the attention of Ms. Magdalena Tayoun on [email protected] before 30th November 2024.

Emirates Nature reserves the right to appoint a candidate prior to this date.