World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is looking for an Africa Regional
Policy Coordinator - No Deep Seabed Mining Initiative

Want to make a positive difference to the future of people and our one shared home, the
Earth? Working with WWF could be the opportunity of a lifetime:
All around the world, people are waking up to the deepening crisis of nature loss. A growing
realization that nature is our life-support system. And that nobody will be spared from the
impacts of its loss. Here at WWF, we are helping to tackle this enormous global challenge.
Our people come from hugely diverse backgrounds and with a variety of expertise, ranging from
HR and finance to advocacy and conservation science. We welcome applications from anyone
who believes they can help us create a better future for people and wildlife.
What we do:
We are an independent conservation Organization, striving to sustain the natural world for the
benefit of people and wildlife. From individuals and communities to business and government,
we are part of a growing coalition calling on world leaders to set nature on the path to recovery
by 2030. Together, we seek to protect and restore natural habitats, stop the mass extinction of
wildlife, and make the way we produce and consume sustainable.
For our Country Office in Cameroon, we are looking for a dynamic and committed Africa
Regional Policy Coordinator - No Deep Seabed Mining Initiative
Reports to: - Line Manager: Head of Policy & Partnership Africa
- Dotted line report: Global No Deep Seabed Mining Initiative Lead
Supervises: N/A
Location: Yaoundé, Cameroon
Duration: Two (02) years
Mission of the Department
Thanks to the past four years of coordinated action, momentum towards a moratorium, or pause,
on deep seabed mining (DSM) has shifted into high gear. As a result, today the pathway to a
moratorium is clear. From a baseline of zero in mid-2022, thirty-two States have thus far joined
the call for a moratorium or a precautionary pause. The growing groundswell of pressure from
scientists, companies, the fisheries sector, media, and a wide range of civil society actors, has
slowed negotiations at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to such an extent that expected
applications for a license to exploit have yet to be submitted.
The coming two years are the best and only opportunity to finish the job and achieve a
moratorium on an industry whose vast public environmental costs would so greatly outweigh the
private profits it may bring to a few rich-world speculators.
However, no African state has so far joined the call for a moratorium. Therefore, targeted policy
engagement in key African states is a priority for the WWF No DSM Initiative over the coming
two years.
Major Functions
To advance WWF’s objectives on a moratorium on deep seabed mining at the International
Seabed Authority through coordination of WWF advocacy in the Africa Region.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
• Develop, implement, track and evaluate with the WWF Initiative lead and global policy lead
a dedicated regional strategy to generate government support for a deep seabed mining
(DSM) moratorium
• Engage with government representatives in the Africa region, including arranging meetings
to discuss DSM and generate support for a precautionary pause/moratorium, with the
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is looking for an Africa Regional
Policy Coordinator - No Deep Seabed Mining Initiativenational office where relevant
• Engage the African Union on DSM and circular economy related matters
• Track, gather and maintain an up-to-date picture of DSM positions, policy and news within
your region
• Coordinate advocacy activities with the WWF offices in relevant countries, and facilitate
cooperation and coordination between WWF offices and their work pertaining to DSM
• Lead the development and execution of activities (e.g. letters to government, side events,
workshops, media engagement via press briefings, op-eds etc.), in close collaboration with
the Initiative Lead, and the national WWF offices where relevant
• Work with the WWF DSM core team and with WWF offices in the region, as well as with the
Deep Sea Conservation Coalition’s (DSCC) regional lead upon mutual agreement, to find
synergies and opportunities for cooperation
• Produce written materials, where needed
• Regularly host and chair coordination calls or meetings with WWF staff within your region
• Attend weekly WWF DSM core team meetings
• Provide written/oral regional reports to the WWF DSM Initiative Lead when requested
• Provide support to the host office on related policy matters as agreed between the Initiative
Lead and the host office.
Profile:
Required Qualifications
• Postgraduate degree, preferable Master’s level in a relevant field (Development studies,
International policy, Political Science, Political Economy, Economics, Engineering,
Environmental Studies).
• 5+ years' experience working for an international organization, preferably in policy
development and advocacy.
Required Skills and Competencies
• Demonstrated success in delivering policy advocacy objectives
• Demonstrated network and experience working with governments, civil society and
NGOs in the region, ideally related to ocean governance and/or extractive industries
issues
• Knowledge of broader ocean governance issues, deep seabed mining and the
International Seabed Authority a plus
• Understanding of the importance of science-based policy making, and of the
opportunities of a circular economy in the regional context
• Experience in convening, facilitating and hosting events on site as well as virtually
• Ability to travel both in the region and to Jamaica (the seat of the International Seabed
Authority) ca 20% of the year
• Fluent in English; an additional language of either French or Portuguese is desirable.
Values and Behaviours
• Proactive, self-starter, with the ability to lead without formal authority
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both written and verbal, strong
command of the English language
• Strong diplomatic, internal and external networking and influencing skills
• Comfortable working within a multi-cultural setting
• Strong coordination and organisational skills, with a proven ability to organise, manage
and deliver work on time within a cross-cultural, multinational environment
• Capacity to work rapidly and accurately under pressure in a dynamic environment and to
quickly define and adhere to priorities
• Discretion, reliability, flexibility, empathy• Embraces the WWF mission and values of the organization: Courage, Integrity, Respect
& Collaboration.
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
organizational needs.
How to apply:
Apply through the link:
https://cameroon.panda.org/apply_to_a_job/apply_for_a_job/ (with a computer, please do not
use a mobile phone).
Choose job J180
Deadline for applications: 17 August 2025.
Thank you in advance for your interest in this position. Please note that only shortlisted
applications will be contacted for further consideration. If you have not been contacted, consider
your application unsuccessful.
WWF is an equal opportunity employer and committed to having a diverse workforce.