At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful wildlife trade projects and engage with key stakeholders across Central Asia.
- Company: Join TRAFFIC, a leading organisation in wildlife conservation and policy advocacy.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, international travel opportunities, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Dynamic, multicultural environment with strong career growth potential.
- Why this job: Shape wildlife trade policies and contribute to sustainable practices in Central Asia.
- Qualifications: Advanced degree in relevant field and 7+ years of programme management experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70089 £ per year.
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.
- Programme and Portfolio Oversight (approx. 40%)
- Provide strategic oversight and coordination of TRAFFIC’s Central Asia project portfolio, 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.
Programme Coordinator – Central Asia in North East employer: IUCN
TRAFFIC is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation in the field of wildlife trade and conservation. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide opportunities for professional development and strategic engagement with key stakeholders across Central Asia. Our inclusive culture values diverse perspectives, making it a rewarding place for those passionate about making a meaningful impact in environmental policy and conservation efforts.
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We think this is how you could land Programme Coordinator – Central Asia in North East
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We think you need these skills to ace Programme Coordinator – Central Asia in North East
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Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of IUCN. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
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Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Programme Coordinator – Central Asia, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
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We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
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