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Title:
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Protected Area Specialist
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Reports to:
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Conservation Governance and Community
Program Manager
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Position type:
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Full-Time (12 months) possible extension
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Location:
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WCS Mongolia Program office, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
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Expected travel:
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Travel to work in other work locations, districts, and provinces as required, and at times can be at short notice and for extended periods.
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ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND:
WCS is a US non-profit organization founded in 1895, dedicated to saving wildlife and wild places through science-based solutions and conservation actions. With over a century of experience and a global presence in more than 60 nations, WCS has played a pivotal role in establishing over 150 protected areas worldwide. Leveraging biological knowledge and fostering partnerships, the WCS office officially registered in the capital Ulaanbaatar in 2003. Over the past twenty years, WCS Mongolia has implemented activities addressing wildlife health, trade, animal movements, community engagement, and building awareness of and support for protected areas. Through the Mongolia Program, collaboration with governments, communities, NGOs, and industries is prioritized to maintain biodiversity, promote landscape connectivity, and contribute to sustainable resource management. The program's activities encompass wildlife research, protected area and community support, wildlife law development and enforcement, and sustainable infrastructure development.
MONGOLIA PROGRAM OVERVIEW:
Established in Ulaanbaatar in 2003, WCS Mongolia has remained dedicated to safeguarding Mongolia's wildlife and expansive landscapes for over two decades. Focusing on the Southern Gobi and the Eastern Steppe along with policy and capacity initiatives at the national level, WCS Mongolia's mission revolves around science-driven, landscape-level conservation. Collaborating with various stakeholders such as governments, communities, and private sector, the organization prioritizes biodiversity preservation, lands NGOs cape connectivity, and sustainable resource management at both local and national levels. Through an array of initiatives spanning wildlife research, protected area management, community partnership, policy development, sustainable infrastructure projects, One Health, and climate change adaptation, WCS Mongolia strives to ensure the long-term health and vitality of Mongolia's ecosystems.
JOB SUMMARY:
WCS Mongolia is supporting local government authorities and communities in advancing the establishment and effective management of protected areas, including the designation of Local Protected Areas (LPAs) in priority landscapes.
WCS Mongolia seeks a Protected Area Specialist for a one-year position to support the Governance and Community Team in implementing activities related to protected area designation, management planning, and stakeholder engagement.
The Protected Area Specialist will support coordination of field activities, stakeholder consultations, and technical documentation required for protected area designation and management. The position will work closely with WCS staff and collaborate with consultants and local government partners as needed.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Support Protected Area Designation
- Support the designation of Local Protected Areas and other protected area initiatives by coordinating field activities and required documentation.
- Work with WCS staff, consultants, and local government authorities to support the preparation of technical and administrative materials required for protected area designation.
- Support the delineation and mapping of proposed protected area boundaries and compilation of cadastral and land-use information.
- Compile ecological, land-use, and socio-economic information required for protected area designation.
2. Coordinate Field Activities and Stakeholder Consultations
- Organize and coordinate field surveys and local meetings required for protected area designation and management planning.
- Coordinate consultations with community members, Community-Based Organizations, soum and aimag authorities, and relevant government agencies.
- Prepare and maintain clear records of meetings, consultations, and field activities.
3. Support Technical Documentation and Reporting
- Support the preparation of technical reports, justification documents, presentations, and official correspondence.
- Compile and organize relevant studies, data, and supporting materials required for protected area designation and management planning.
- Support preparation of documentation packages required for submission to decision-making authorities.
4. Support Protected Area Management Activities
- Support activities within the existing protected area network, including Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT) assessments and protected area management planning.
- Support stakeholder consultations and documentation required for management plan development and approval processes.
5. Team Collaboration and Program Support
- Work closely with the WCS Governance and Community Team to plan and implement protected area activities.
- Coordinate with other WCS Mongolia teams as needed to support integrated landscape conservation.
- Contribute to implementation of the WCS Mongolia Strategy through protected area and governance activities.
- Support general program activities related to conservation governance and community engagement as needed.
KEY REQUIREMENTS:
Education & Experience:
- Master’s degree in environmental management, natural resource management, rural development, or related field.
- At least 3 years of relevant professional experience, preferably in protected area management, environmental governance, or community-based conservation in Mongolia.
- Experience working with local communities and government authorities is required.
- Understanding gender equality and community participation approaches is desirable.
Skills:
- Strong coordination and facilitation skills are important.
- Experience organizing field activities and stakeholder consultations.
- Ability to prepare clear reports and technical documentation (English and Mongolian).
- Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with communities, herder groups, government agencies, and other partners.
- Willingness to travel regularly to remote locations and stay in the field when required.
Language Proficiency:
- Fluency in spoken and written Mongolian.
- Good working knowledge of English.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
- Please submit your completed application by including (all in one pdf file);
- CV in English,
- With a one-page cover letter in English explaining your interest and suitability for this position,
- Along with diploma copies, and
- at least 2 reference letters provided by previous line managers;
- The subject line of your email submission with “Application – Protected Area Specialist [Candidate Name]” and interested applicants should submit the application to the following email address: hrmongolia@wcs.org
- Applications should be sent on or before 5:00pm Ulaanbaatar time, Tuesday, 17th of March 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted;
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Mongolia Program
201 San Business Center, Amar Street-29, Small ring road, Sukhbaatar district, Ulaanbaatar 14200, Mongolia. Tel: +976-11-323719