Senior Programme Manager

Job Description

Position: Senior Programme Manager

Reports to: Executive Director, Rights and Communities

Position Managed: SWM Technical Assistant, Natural Resources Management Technical Advisor

Location: Brussels, Belgium

Country Program/Sector: Rights and Communities

Scope: Global

Position Type: Full-Time

Job Summary

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) recognises that nature and people are intrinsically linked, and that biological and cultural diversity are interdependent and mutually reinforcing. Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities are central to achieving durable conservation outcomes.

The Rights and Communities (R + C) Programme supports field teams in over 50 countries to secure, exercise, and benefit from rights through a human‑rights‑based approach to conservation. The programme is guided by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and other international human rights instruments, and is underpinned by WCS human rights and safeguarding policies.

The Senior Programme Manager provides global programme management and coordination support to the Rights and Communities Programme, with a primary focus on Institutional Review Board (IRB) administration, programme coordination, and knowledge management. The role also provides defined technical and coordination support to the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme, working in close collaboration with other relevant programme teams.

Key Accountabilities

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Administration

• Work in close coordination with the Institutional Review Board Chair and serve as the global administrator for the WCS Institutional Review Board, providing end‑to‑end coordination and operational support to the IRB Chair and committee members.
• Manage the IRB submission, review and approval process, ensuring consistency, timeliness, and adherence to ethical and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain complete and auditable IRB records, databases, and documentation in line with internal and external compliance standards.
• Support annual reporting and institutional filings related to IRB operations, including reporting to WCS Global Leadership and relevant oversight bodies.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of IRB processes, guidance materials and training resources for applicants and reviewers.

Rights and Communities Programme Management

• Provide programme coordination and management support to the Executive Director, ensuring effective tracking of workplans, deliverables and key milestones.
• Coordinate programme‑level knowledge management, including lessons learned, good practices, training materials, and practitioner resources.
• Support programme planning, budgeting, and financial monitoring in collaboration with the Executive Director and relevant finance partners.
• Draft, review and edit programme documentation, reports and proposals as required.
• Coordinate internal and external meetings, workshops, webinars, and programme events, ensuring effective preparation, documentation and follow‑up.
• Coordinate the Rights and Communities Practitioner Forums.
• Support the Executive Director on program coordination with themes and regions.

Global coordination of the SWM Programme and technical oversight

• Provide defined programme coordination and technical support to the SWM Programme, in close collaboration with the SWM Programme and other relevant WCS teams.
• Support communication, reporting and knowledge‑sharing across SWM partners and internal stakeholders.
• Contribute to the review of selected technical and programme documents, as delegated and appropriate.
• Maintain regular coordination with SWM focal points and programme teams to support effective implementation withing agreed scope and timelines.

Qualification Requirements

• Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g. non‑profit management, business, communications, international development, conservation, social sciences, programme management), or equivalent professional experience.
• A minimum of 10 years proven experience in programme management, coordination, administration, or related roles.
• Strong technical, logistical and financial management of projects (planning, budgets, implementation, monitoring and evaluation).
• Sound understanding of the social, economic and ecological issues on natural resources management and wild meat in particular, and how they applied in different contexts.
• High‑level proficiency in French and English.
• Excellent organisational and time‑management skills.
• Familiarity with knowledge management tools and platforms, especially SharePoint, M