Safeguards and Gender Equality Disability and Social Inclusion Coordinator
Want to make a positive difference to the future of people and our one shared home, the Earth? Working at WWF could be your opportunity of a lifetime.
All around the world, people are waking up to the devastating impacts of climate change and nature loss. The situation today is worse than the darkest predictions of just ten years ago, pushing billions of people to the edge and threatening lives and livelihoods. At WWF, we are facing our biggest crisis – and our biggest ever opportunity – to create a better future for people and nature. With over 60 years of experience and an active presence in more than 100 countries, we work to achieve both on-the-ground and global policy action, from protecting and restoring species and their habitats, to transforming markets and policies toward sustainability.
Our people come from hugely diverse backgrounds and with a variety of expertise, ranging from conservation science and advocacy to HR and finance. We welcome applications from anyone who believes they can help us tackle this enormous global challenge and drive the urgent conservation impact needed to restore our planet.
What We Do
We are an independent conservation organization, striving to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and the ecosystem. From individuals and communities to businesses and governments, we are part of a growing global movement calling for bolder action on climate and nature, demanding that world leaders set nature on the path to recovery by 2030. WWF works to address the most dominant drivers of nature loss through system-wide changes in how food and energy are produced and consumed, and in how financial systems are structured. By implementing change in every country, we aim to drive visible and positive impacts on the ground, helping to restore nature in the most critical places around the world, from the Amazon to the Coral Triangle.
Engaging everyone means addressing the barriers to participation faced by some groups in society, including local communities. Conservation will only be sustainable if it is owned by, and benefits, local people. That’s why Indigenous Peoples and local communities must be at the centre of action on climate and nature. WWF is committed to using its resources and global network to support these communities in creating together the most effective solutions where they live.
Humanity is still in time, we have a clear pathway to solve this crisis. At WWF, we call on everyone to join the global movement, change how we live, and take action now.
Job Description
Position title: Safeguards and Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Coordinator
Reports to: Conservation Programme Manager
Supervisors: Impact and Data Monitoring Officer
Location: Suva or other locations, Fiji
Date: March 2026
About WWF-Pacific
WWF-Pacific’s Pacific Pathway 2030 Strategic Plan sets a bold course toward a People and Nature Positive Pacific, where communities and ecosystems thrive together. Operating across Fiji, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and the wider Pacific region, WWF-Pacific advances locally led conservation, climate resilience, blue-green economies and resource management to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and growing environmental pressures.
Grounded in Indigenous knowledge and community-led conservation, WWF-Pacific works with partners to deliver nature-based solutions, strengthen community governance, and promote inclusive blue-green economies. By 2030, all Pacific peoples and nations are empowered, climate resilient and prosperous, with nature thriving and visibly and measurably recovering - a People and Nature Positive Pacific.
Fiji Conservation Programme Context
The Fiji Conservation Programme delivers WWF Pacific’s strategic priorities at the national level, focusing on safeguarding Fiji’s unique biodiversity and strengthening community resilience across marine, coastal, and terrestrial ecosystems. It leads to the implementation of key initiatives such as the Great Sea Reef Programme and the Great Astrolabe Reef Programme, sustainable fisheries and seafood systems, community led marine resource management, climate resilience, and nature-based solutions. The programme works closely with local communities, provincial councils, government ministries, Indigenous governance structures, CSOs, academia, and private sector partners to drive long term conservation and sustainable development outcomes.
Anchored in the Pacific Pathway 2030 Strategic Plan, the Fiji Conservation Programme contributes directly to a People and Nature Positive Pacific by advancing inclusive blue green economies, climate smart livelihoods, ecosystem restoration, and science-based planning. Programme delivery is supported through multi-door investments, including partnerships with bilateral and multilateral agencies, regional organisations, and philanthropic foundations. Collectively, these efforts aim to ensure that Fiji’s people, nature, and economy are resilient, prosperous, and thriving by 2030.
Approaches to community-based conservation must therefore ensure that WWF co-designs and co-implements projects with community stakeholders, as projects that fail to take a socially inclusive and equitable approach limit environmental outcomes as well as the benefits that flow to the communities. WWF, therefore, employs a holistic approach that mainstreams inclusion, specifically, Gender, Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) approaches across its growing portfolio of marine, coastal and other conservation projects.
The WWF Network has adopted the Environmental and Social Safeguard Framework (ESSF) which will enable WWF as a global organization to ensure that our work goes beyond doing no harm, to doing good regarding the rights and improving the wellbeing of local communities.
WWF-Fiji is now recruiting a Safeguards and GEDSI Coordinator to assist with implementation of Social and Environmental Safeguards and GEDSI activities across the Fiji Country Office.
Major Functions
The Safeguards and GEDSI Coordinator will assist the Conservation Programme Manager, project managers and other staff with all work related to Safeguards and GEDSI in the Fiji Country Office. Further, the role is responsible for building capacity of WWF-Fiji staff and relevant third parties for better understanding and implementation of Inclusion principles such as GEDSI principles and policies, and leading M&E, and reporting. The Safeguards and GEDSI Coordinator will also assist with the implementation of Social and Environmental Safeguard policies, including community stakeholder engagement, Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), WWF-Pacific’s Grievance Mechanism, risk analysis, and mitigation measures.
The role also provides direct supervision and technical guidance to the Impact and Data Monitoring Officer to ensure high quality data systems, monitoring, reporting, and evidence-based learning across the Fiji Country Office.
Major Duties And Responsibilities
Project Design and Capacity Building
External – Target communities, government and local authorities, and other external partners, including regional and international NGOs and other civil society organizations.
This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the tasks that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organisational needs.
Prepared by Supervisor: _____________________ Date: ______________
Accepted by Employee: _____________________ Date: _______________
Please upload your covering letter and CV in English. Priority will be given to applications with both documents indicated.
Deadline for applications: Monday 4th May 2026
Work permit restrictions may apply.
Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.
At WWF, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where every individual feels valued and respected. We believe that a diverse workforce will help us to achieve our mission to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to providing fair and unbiased consideration for all candidates regardless of their background. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply and join us in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.
All around the world, people are waking up to the devastating impacts of climate change and nature loss. The situation today is worse than the darkest predictions of just ten years ago, pushing billions of people to the edge and threatening lives and livelihoods. At WWF, we are facing our biggest crisis – and our biggest ever opportunity – to create a better future for people and nature. With over 60 years of experience and an active presence in more than 100 countries, we work to achieve both on-the-ground and global policy action, from protecting and restoring species and their habitats, to transforming markets and policies toward sustainability.
Our people come from hugely diverse backgrounds and with a variety of expertise, ranging from conservation science and advocacy to HR and finance. We welcome applications from anyone who believes they can help us tackle this enormous global challenge and drive the urgent conservation impact needed to restore our planet.
What We Do
We are an independent conservation organization, striving to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and the ecosystem. From individuals and communities to businesses and governments, we are part of a growing global movement calling for bolder action on climate and nature, demanding that world leaders set nature on the path to recovery by 2030. WWF works to address the most dominant drivers of nature loss through system-wide changes in how food and energy are produced and consumed, and in how financial systems are structured. By implementing change in every country, we aim to drive visible and positive impacts on the ground, helping to restore nature in the most critical places around the world, from the Amazon to the Coral Triangle.
Engaging everyone means addressing the barriers to participation faced by some groups in society, including local communities. Conservation will only be sustainable if it is owned by, and benefits, local people. That’s why Indigenous Peoples and local communities must be at the centre of action on climate and nature. WWF is committed to using its resources and global network to support these communities in creating together the most effective solutions where they live.
Humanity is still in time, we have a clear pathway to solve this crisis. At WWF, we call on everyone to join the global movement, change how we live, and take action now.
Job Description
Position title: Safeguards and Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Coordinator
Reports to: Conservation Programme Manager
Supervisors: Impact and Data Monitoring Officer
Location: Suva or other locations, Fiji
Date: March 2026
About WWF-Pacific
WWF-Pacific’s Pacific Pathway 2030 Strategic Plan sets a bold course toward a People and Nature Positive Pacific, where communities and ecosystems thrive together. Operating across Fiji, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and the wider Pacific region, WWF-Pacific advances locally led conservation, climate resilience, blue-green economies and resource management to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and growing environmental pressures.
Grounded in Indigenous knowledge and community-led conservation, WWF-Pacific works with partners to deliver nature-based solutions, strengthen community governance, and promote inclusive blue-green economies. By 2030, all Pacific peoples and nations are empowered, climate resilient and prosperous, with nature thriving and visibly and measurably recovering - a People and Nature Positive Pacific.
Fiji Conservation Programme Context
The Fiji Conservation Programme delivers WWF Pacific’s strategic priorities at the national level, focusing on safeguarding Fiji’s unique biodiversity and strengthening community resilience across marine, coastal, and terrestrial ecosystems. It leads to the implementation of key initiatives such as the Great Sea Reef Programme and the Great Astrolabe Reef Programme, sustainable fisheries and seafood systems, community led marine resource management, climate resilience, and nature-based solutions. The programme works closely with local communities, provincial councils, government ministries, Indigenous governance structures, CSOs, academia, and private sector partners to drive long term conservation and sustainable development outcomes.
Anchored in the Pacific Pathway 2030 Strategic Plan, the Fiji Conservation Programme contributes directly to a People and Nature Positive Pacific by advancing inclusive blue green economies, climate smart livelihoods, ecosystem restoration, and science-based planning. Programme delivery is supported through multi-door investments, including partnerships with bilateral and multilateral agencies, regional organisations, and philanthropic foundations. Collectively, these efforts aim to ensure that Fiji’s people, nature, and economy are resilient, prosperous, and thriving by 2030.
Approaches to community-based conservation must therefore ensure that WWF co-designs and co-implements projects with community stakeholders, as projects that fail to take a socially inclusive and equitable approach limit environmental outcomes as well as the benefits that flow to the communities. WWF, therefore, employs a holistic approach that mainstreams inclusion, specifically, Gender, Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) approaches across its growing portfolio of marine, coastal and other conservation projects.
The WWF Network has adopted the Environmental and Social Safeguard Framework (ESSF) which will enable WWF as a global organization to ensure that our work goes beyond doing no harm, to doing good regarding the rights and improving the wellbeing of local communities.
WWF-Fiji is now recruiting a Safeguards and GEDSI Coordinator to assist with implementation of Social and Environmental Safeguards and GEDSI activities across the Fiji Country Office.
Major Functions
The Safeguards and GEDSI Coordinator will assist the Conservation Programme Manager, project managers and other staff with all work related to Safeguards and GEDSI in the Fiji Country Office. Further, the role is responsible for building capacity of WWF-Fiji staff and relevant third parties for better understanding and implementation of Inclusion principles such as GEDSI principles and policies, and leading M&E, and reporting. The Safeguards and GEDSI Coordinator will also assist with the implementation of Social and Environmental Safeguard policies, including community stakeholder engagement, Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), WWF-Pacific’s Grievance Mechanism, risk analysis, and mitigation measures.
The role also provides direct supervision and technical guidance to the Impact and Data Monitoring Officer to ensure high quality data systems, monitoring, reporting, and evidence-based learning across the Fiji Country Office.
Major Duties And Responsibilities
Project Design and Capacity Building
- Influence a shift in project design to ensure activities are inclusive and actively reduce barriers to participation, ensuring that the benefits reach the entire community, with a particular focus on marginalized groups.
- Understand the context of the Fiji Country Office program portfolio and help develop a contextually appropriate capacity building plan to address the needs of the internal team and community beneficiaries in alignment with the outcomes of the Strategic Plan.
- Review and assist with developing and updating project concept notes, log frames, budgets, workplans and PMEL plans to ensure Inclusion.
- Design and deliver capacity building workshops related to social and environmental safeguards and GEDSI.
- Support the project teams in the Fiji Country Office with social and environmental safeguards risk assessments and help teams identify risk mitigation and management measures.
- Disseminate lessons learned and best practices from specific projects and/or landscapes for research, knowledge and learning purposes.
- Ensure that social and environmental risk mitigation is considered in project design so that benefits flow to the community as whole, particularly marginalized people.
- Ensure implementation of WWF’s Child Safeguarding Policy.
- Implement presentations in the project communities explaining the community’s rights as the duty-holder, WWF’s responsibilities as the duty-bearer, the social and environmental risks inherent in the relevant projects, and the mitigation measures.
- Collect and analyze data to assist projects with understanding the social and environmental risks and mitigation measures as understood by communities.
- Assist with implementing the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent process with project communities.
- Oversee the implementation of the Grievance Redress Mechanism.
- Ensure that the design of project activities support women, people with disabilities, and marginalized people in the project communities.
- Assist with the socialization of GEDSI aims across the Fiji Country Office.
- Provide capacity building for WWF staff related to GEDSI.
- Conduct GEDSI Analysis to inform project design.
- Develop GEDSI-sensitive evaluation questions to monitor inclusion and impact.
- Support awareness related to Gender-Based Violence and support coordination with service providers
- Other duties as required by the supervisor.
- Provide direct line management, mentoring, and technical oversight to the Data Monitoring and Impact Officer.
- Ensure monitoring systems integrate GEDSI and Safeguards requirements, including indicators, evaluation questions, and reporting templates.
- Oversee consolidation of project level data into programme wide evidence and impact reporting.
- Ensure data quality, ethical data practices, and alignment with WWF Pacific’s Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) standards.
- Support the Officer to generate learning products, case studies, and impact narratives that highlight inclusion, safeguards, and community outcomes.
- Profile:
- Relevant tertiary qualifications in gender analysis, gender mainstreaming, international development and/or gender programme management or other relevant fields.
- At least 5 years of relevant Inclusion and/or GEDSI experience and expertise supporting transformational Inclusions and/or GEDSI through mainstreaming Inclusion into projects and programs.
- At least 5 years of relevant experience in social and environmental safeguards.
- Experience working on conservation programs.
- Superior communication skills, interpersonal skills, mature judgement and tact in relationship building with a range of government and civil society stakeholders to deliver projects.
- Strong interpersonal skills and cultural awareness, with a high degree of cultural sensitivity and ability to navigate complex issues.
- Sound understanding of evidence-based strategies that have been proven effective for promoting GEDSI in the Pacific.
- Demonstrated ability to work with organisations representing vulnerable and marginalised groups such as people with disability and rural and poor women.
- Experience developing capacity building resources and delivering participatory trainings and workshops and providing ongoing technical support to conservation teams and relevant third parties such as government and non-government audiences.
- Experience implementing inclusive stakeholder engagement at the community level.
- A strong commitment to a gender transformative, decolonising and inclusive conservation agenda.
- English essential with strong report-writing skills. Other local languages are desirable.
- Experience working with Microsoft Word and communication technology such as Zoom.
- Clearly demonstrates behaviors aligned to the culture of WWF: Strive for Impact, Listen Deeply, Collaborate Openly and Innovate Fearlessly
- Identifies and aligns with the core values of the WWF organization: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration.
- Working Relationships:
External – Target communities, government and local authorities, and other external partners, including regional and international NGOs and other civil society organizations.
This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the tasks that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organisational needs.
Prepared by Supervisor: _____________________ Date: ______________
Accepted by Employee: _____________________ Date: _______________
Please upload your covering letter and CV in English. Priority will be given to applications with both documents indicated.
Deadline for applications: Monday 4th May 2026
Work permit restrictions may apply.
Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.
At WWF, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where every individual feels valued and respected. We believe that a diverse workforce will help us to achieve our mission to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to providing fair and unbiased consideration for all candidates regardless of their background. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply and join us in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.