Project Manager: Dam and River Barrier Removal

Project Manager: Dam and River Barrier Removal

Do you want to work together with inspired colleagues to create a world in which nature and people thrive? And help build a ‘nature positive’ impact in biodiverse priority landscapes around the world by mobilising people to act? That is what you will do when you work at WWF Netherlands (WWF-NL).

WWF-NL is based in Zeist, the Netherlands, and consists of four departments: Conservation, Engagement, Organization & Talent Development and Finance & Operations. In this light, the International Landscapes Team within the Conservation department is looking for a

Project Manager: Dam and River Barrier Removal

Background

Removing barriers is one of the fastest and most effective restoration measures. Across Europe, individuals are transforming the narrative around dams and river barriers, and making significant strides to restore river ecosystems by removing mostly obsolete and unnecessary barriers. However, most barrier removals occur in western and northern Europe, and there is the need for this restoration tool to gain momentum in new regions across Europe. Therefore in 2023, a Dam Removal Europe (DRE) project was initiated thanks to 1.17 million euro funding from Open Rivers Programme.

We are looking for a project manager to support this project, in which Flora and Flora International, Wetlands International, MedINA, WWF Slovakia, Adria, and Netherlands are accelerating the dam removal movement in Southeastern (SE) Europe. Together, we are building a pipeline of 100 obsolete barriers that can be removed in high biodiversity hotspots and to leverage the momentum from the Nature Restoration Law. This is being done by putting barrier removal on the political agenda, creating awareness about barrier removal as a nature restoration measure, and by initiating the implementation of barrier removals in Central and Eastern Europe. We need a champion to help us achieve the goals of the project and to use the activities to scale up barrier removal across Europe. Both working together with the Dam Removal Europe Coalition (DRE) and ensuring to synergize with DRE activities and goals.

Mission

Lead the development, implementation, and coordination of WWF activities that enable a European Dam Removal movement. Aligning with WWF and network projects, focusing on three strategic areas including (1) knowledge development and dissemination, (2) policy advocacy, and (3) communication and raising awareness.

Key Responsibilities and activities

• Project management and financial management: coordinating with partners and colleagues to ensure that key projects meet standards and targets.
• Build the movement in CEE and Europe through DRE coalition activities: developing relationships with partners and network to boost barrier removal implementation in CEE and Europe.
• Knowledge development and dissemination: guide the analysis of existing information, the development and sharing of best practices, and/or the generation and dissemination of new information that fills knowledge gaps or builds new expertise for dam removal.
• Policy advocacy: support work that ensures barrier removal is incorporated into EU and national policies, focusing on Nature Restoration Law.
• Communication and raising awareness: support activities that support targeted communication to build enthusiasm among stakeholders and public.
• Fundraising and scaling up activities: managing donor and stakeholder relationships.
• Occasional travel will be required for this position.
• To captain this boat, you will be working with a dedicated team and be able to lead us to a free-flowing river of achievements.

Who are you?

• You are motivated by the Barrier Removal topic and the restoration opportunities it can bring, as you will be dealing with multiple stakeholders to disseminate the idea.
• You have an academic background in Ecological/Environmental/conservation science or equivalent experience.
• A go-getter, with a minimum of 5 years experience in conservation, with leadership skills in taking projects to scale.
• Strong background in communications.
• A good team player, with a proven track record of managing internal and external multi-cultural stakeholders to influence and drive change.
• An organized person with program management skills must include i) program planning, ii) technical direction and oversight.
• You have excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

Core values

You recognize yourself in the core values of WWF-NL:

• Courage
• Integrity
• Respect
• Collaboration

What do we offer?

• A sustainable office surrounded by nature;
• Fun colleagues and the chance to build up an international network;
• Vegetarian lunches in our canteen and free after work drinks every other Thursday;
• An employment contract of 28 hours until August 2026;
• A personal budget that is made up of 8% holiday allowance and 2.08% flexible budget;
• 6 weeks of holiday per year (based on a 40-hour contract);
• An NS Business Card for 2nd class travel to and from work and an allowance of €0.23 per kilometer cycled between home and the office;
• Hybrid working, so staff have the flexibility to alternate working from home and from the office; for every working from home day, staff can request a reimbursement of €2.40.