Nature-Based Solutions Advisor

WWF-NL is a professional and dynamic organization with an informal working culture based in Zeist, the Netherlands.

The organisation consists of four departments: Conservation, Engagement, Organization & Talent Development and Finance & Operations. The Thematic Team within the Conservation department is looking for a Nature-Based Solutions Advisor (32-40 hours). 

Heat waves above the Arctic Circle, forest fires in Siberia and Los Angeles, raging rivers in Germany, Spain and Limburg. In the past years we have seen the consequences of climate change. All these climate impacts are projected to get worse and more frequent. The pace of climate change is exceeding the many actions taken to adapt to it. Next to reducing CO2 emissions, the world needs to invest in adapting to the consequence of this new reality. If we invest in adaptation solutions now with nature-based solutions (NbS), we can build resilience and help to protect people and restore nature. 

Together with other offices in the WWF Network, we develop strategies which promise to accelerate the use of NbS in practice by governments, businesses and other stakeholders, where up to now mostly is chosen for traditional grey climate adaptation and infrastructure solutions. Based on promising strategies WWF-NL develops and implements programs and helps other offices in the WWF network to do so.

The role of the NbS advisor will be to both help develop those strategies as well as to develop and manage multi-country NbS programmes. The advisor will engage with all kinds of partners to mobilize cooperation, capacity and resources . Do you like working in an international organization, staying up to date with the latest trends, innovation, engagement and internal and external mobilization, then this might be the right role for you!

Tasks and responsibilities

As NbS advisor, you will be responsible for the following:

• You help develop and implement a strategy and lead programs for NbS with the goal to maximize the impact of WWF activities and investments in WWF-NL’s priority regions.
• You will support thought leadership for large scale and locally led NbS; within the WWF-NL office, but also within the global WWF network.
• You will be responsible for partnerships with key private & public sector actors and knowledge institutes in the Netherlands who work internationally on NbS.
• You will focus on opportunities related to fresh water coastal challenges, linking nature to improving lives and livelihoods and finding ways to mobilize more private funding in climate adaptation measures.

What we are looking for

We are looking for someone with an entrepreneurial attitude and great motivation, because you will have to go against the grain and turn resistance into opportunities. We expect that you are already well acquainted with NbS. Being a strategic thinker, wanting to make systemic and transformational change, and therefore motivated to work from an economic development perspective and not primarily nature/species oriented. We also look for someone with program management experience and willing to cooperate in a small NbS work unit under guidance of the WWF-NL NbS Lead.

• You have a relevant educational background;
• You have at least 3 years of relevant international work experience;
• You have experience with project or program management, preferably including experience in Latin America, Africa and/or Asia;
• You have a relevant network (in the Netherlands or globally);
• You have an excellent command of the English language (oral and written);
• Experience in working on coastal nature restoration projects is an asset.

The NbS advisor reports to the Head of Thematic Conservation and is part of the Thematic Team. On a day-to-day basis the advisor will work closely with the NbS Lead who gives direction on the strategy and workplan. You often work with teams in specific programs with external partners and closely collaborate with other teams in the international WWF network.

Core values

You recognize yourself in the core values of WWF-NL:

• Courage
• Integrity
• Respect
• Collaboration

What do we offer?

• A sustainable office surrounded by nature;
• Fun colleagues and the chance to build up an international network;
• Vegetarian lunches in our canteen and free after work drinks every other Thursday;
• An employment contract of 32-40 hours. Initially, a fixed-term employment contract of one year with a one-month probation period will be offered;
• Salaries that are in line with the standard in the Dutch not-for-profit sector; The minimum gross monthly salary for this role is 4.147 EUR and the maximum monthly salary is 5.752 EUR, based on relevant experience (these amounts are based on a 40-hour contract) (Please note, due to the maximum salary, we are not able to sponsor a knowledge migrant permit for people above the age of 30. Please see the IND (Immigration & Naturalisation Service of the Netherlands) website for more information);
• A personal budget that is made up of 8% holiday allowance and 2,08% flexible budget;
• 6 weeks of holiday per year (based on a 40-hour contract);
• An NS Business Card for 2nd class travel to and from work and an allowance of €0,23 per kilometer cycled between home and the office;
• Hybrid working, so staff have the flexibility to alternate working from home and from the office; for every working from home day, staff can request a reimbursement of €2,40.

Information and procedure

If you are interested in this position, please apply by Sunday 23 March 2025 via our website. 

Please note that in order to work for WWF-NL, you need a valid work permit.

If you have any questions about the application process, you can contact Babette Vanlancker (Recruitment Coordinator) via bvanlancker@wwf.nl. Questions about this role can be directed to Bas Roels (NbS Lead) via broels@wwf.nl.

We actively strive for our employees to reflect society and the international character of our organization. We therefore especially encourage candidates with backgrounds that are normally underrepresented to apply. To reduce the impact of unconscious biases during a recruitment process, (semi)structured interview templates are used.

We consider the safety and protection of our colleagues as important. The successful candidate is therefore required to complete an integrity statement and supply a Certificate of Good Conduct (Verklaring Omtrent Gedrag). We may also ask for references.

If you are an intermediary, please do not contact us. We will contact recruitment agencies ourselves if necessary.