Programme Coordinator – Central Asia in Cambridge

BACKGROUND

The location for this position can be flexible and candidates will be considered for the position to be based within TRAFFIC offices, including Central Asia, Europe or UK (with travel to Central Asia as required). The salary offered will be based on the office salary scale at the TP2 grade.

ORGANISATIONAL BACKGROUND

TRAFFIC is a leading non-governmental organisation working globally on trade in wild animals and plants in the context of both biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. TRAFFIC International is a charity and limited company registered in the UK, with its head office based in Cambridge, providing worldwide leadership, coordination, and corporate functions. TRAFFIC’s programme offices operate across priority regions to deliver targeted interventions that ensure that trade in wild species is legal and sustainable, contributing to both biodiversity conservation and livelihoods.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES

The Programme Coordinator – Central Asia, within the TRAFFIC Europe and Central Asia Programme Office, plays a strategic and operational role in shaping and delivering TRAFFIC’s growing portfolio on wildlife trade in Central Asia. The position is responsible for overseeing a complex regional project portfolio, ensuring high-quality implementation, coherence across initiatives, and alignment with TRAFFIC’s global strategy. The role further leads on identifying and developing funding opportunities and strategic partnerships, positioning TRAFFIC as a key technical and policy actor on wildlife trade issues in Central Asia. This includes proactive engagement with donors, governments, and partners, as well as contributing to high-level policy processes and advocacy to influence regional and international agendas.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

• Programme and Portfolio Oversight (approx. 40%)
  • Provide strategic oversight and coordination of TRAFFIC’s Central Asia project portfolio, and institutional setting in the region, ensuring coherence, quality, and delivery against objectives.
  • Supervise project implementation across multiple countries (e.g. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan), ensuring effective planning, risk management, and adaptive delivery.
  • Line manage Programme Manager – Central Asia in implementing activities, troubleshooting challenges, and ensuring compliance with donor requirements.
  • Ensure integration of cross-cutting priorities (e.g., livelihoods, demand reduction, sustainable use, enforcement capacity) across projects.
  • Lead or contribute to programme-level planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting processes.
• Resource Mobilisation and Opportunity Development (approx. 30%)
  • Identify and develop funding opportunities aligned with TRAFFIC’s strategic priorities on wildlife trade in Central Asia.
  • Lead or contribute to the development of high-quality concept notes and proposals for key donors (e.g. EU, GEF, bilateral donors).
  • Build and maintain relationships with donors, development finance institutions, and strategic partners.
  • Track emerging policy, funding, and partnership opportunities in the region and position TRAFFIC accordingly.
  • Facilitate internal coordination to mobilise expertise and ensure competitive proposals.
• Strategic Advocacy and Policy Engagement (approx. 20%)
  • Contribute to the development and implementation of TRAFFIC’s Central Asian regional advocacy strategy on wildlife trade issues.
  • Engage with governments, regional bodies, and international processes (e.g. CITES, CBD, CMS-related processes).
  • Represent TRAFFIC in regional and international fora, including high-level dialogues, conferences, and technical meetings as appropriate.
  • Support the development of policy briefs, technical recommendations, and thought leadership outputs.
  • Strengthen TRAFFIC’s visibility and influence as a trusted partner in Central Asia.
• Coordination, Partnerships and Representation (approx. 10%)
  • Collaborate with TRAFFIC’s global and regional teams to ensure alignment with organisational priorities and approaches.
  • Strengthen partnerships with NGOs, intergovernmental organisations, enforcement bodies, and academic institutions.
  • Support coordination with programme office leadership and contribute to internal strategic discussions.

Requirements

• Advanced degree (or equivalent experience) in environmental policy, conservation, natural resource management, international development, or a related field.
• At least 7 years of professional experience in programme management and coordination in an international context, particularly in Central Asia.
• Proven experience in fundraising and proposal development for institutional and philanthropic donors.
• Experience working on wildlife trade, biodiversity conservation, or environmental policy.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong programme and portfolio management skills, including planning, monitoring, and delivery oversight.
• Line management skills and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to develop proposals and secure funding from a range of donors.
• Strong understanding of international policy frameworks (e.g. CITES, CBD, CMS, SDGs).
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and partnership-building skills.
• Strong analytical, writing, and communication skills.
• Ability to operate strategically while managing operational priorities.

Language Skills

• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Writing and speaking in at least one language from the region is highly desirable.

Other

• Willingness to travel internationally, including to/within Central Asia.
• Ability to work in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.
• Candidates must have the right to live and work in the location of the TRAFFIC office to be situated. We are unable to provide work permits for this position.

SUPERVISION

The Programme Coordinator will provide line management to Programme Manager – Central Asia and other staff and consultants, as delegated by the line manager.