Specialist, Performance Management - WWF International

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 & 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 & with a variety of expertise, ranging from conservation science & advocacy to HR and finance. We welcome applications from anyone who believes they can help us tackle this enormous global challenge & 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 & 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 & 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.

WWF International global recruitment team are exclusively managing this vacancy. We kindly ask that you do not contact the local office on this position.

LOCATION: Flexible with preferred locations WWF INT HUBS

1 MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT

To build a thriving, future-ready WWF workforce by ensuring that people at all levels have the skills, capabilities, and development pathways needed to deliver the WWF Strategy.

• Embed WWF’s core values and standards to strengthen the culture and create the right working environment across the Network.
• Develop and maintain People & Culture (P&C) standards, policies, systems, and platforms that attract, develop, and retain the right people for the organisation.
• Create the conditions for high performance, ensuring that staff can perform at their fullest potential and maximise their contribution to WWF’s conservation goals.

2 MAJOR FUNCTIONS

The Specialist, Performance Management supports WWF International’s performance management approach to ensure it is fair, inclusive, and development-oriented. The role contributes to building a performance culture that focuses on learning, continuous improvement, and unlocking potential, enabling people to contribute meaningfully to their roles and grow with the organisation over time.

3 Major Duties and Responsibilities

Performance Management Framework & Processes

• Support the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of WWF International’s performance management framework, tools, and annual cycles.
• Ensure performance processes are clear, consistent, and aligned with WWF values, leadership behaviours, and organisational priorities.
• Coordinate annual performance milestones (goal setting, mid-cycle reviews, end-of-year reviews), ensuring timely guidance and support.

Guidance, Capability Building & Support

• Provide guidance to managers and staff on performance conversations, goal setting, feedback, and development planning.
• Support capacity building initiatives that strengthen managers’ confidence in having constructive, inclusive performance and development discussions.
• Promote approaches that recognise different strengths, learning styles, and stages of development.

Performance, Potential & Development

• Support the integration of performance, potential, and development perspectives ensuring performance management enables growth, mobility, and retention of talent across the organisation.
• Contribute to links between performance management, learning, leadership development, and talent processes (succession planning, internal mobility).

Data, Insights & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor and analyse performance management data and trends to identify risks, strengths, and opportunities for improvement.
• Prepare insights and summaries for P&C colleagues and leadership to support evidence-based decision-making.
• Support evaluations of performance processes and recommend enhancements based on feedback and data.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Work closely with Senior Business Partners, the Talent Development Team, and other P&C specialists to ensure alignment and coherence across people processes.
• Support and prepare organisation-wide communications and guidance related to performance management.

4 PROFILE

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Organisational Development, Business Administration, International Relations, or a related field.
• 4–6 years of experience in HR, talent management, organisational development, and mobility.
• Experience supporting HR processes or talent development programmes in multicultural, international environments.
• Experience supporting performance management, talent, or learning processes in multicultural, international environments.
• Experience working with managers on people-related processes and navigating sensitive conversations with professionalism and care.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong understanding of inclusive, development-focused performance management practices.
• Ability to translate frameworks and policies into practical, user-friendly tools and guidance.
• Analytical skills, with the ability to derive insights from qualitative and quantitative data.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain concepts clearly and build trust with stakeholders.
• High attention to detail, organisational skills, and ability to manage multiple processes simultaneously.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of additional languages is an asset.
• Embraces the WWF mission and values of the organisation: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration.

5 WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal

• Leadership Development Manager
• Senior P&C Business Partners
• Talent Development, Learning & OD colleagues in the wider Network
• Managers and staff across WWF International

External

• External consultants, facilitators, or system providers supporting performance or learning tools

HOW TO APPLY

Please upload your covering letter and CV in English. Priority will be given to applications with both documents indicated.

Deadline for applications: Tuesday 02 June (midnight CET)

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.