JOB TITLE:International Head of Ending Inhumane Culling (Companion Animals)

REPORTS TO:International Director of Ending Inhumane Culling

Every year, millions of dogs are inhumanely culled worldwide, often in an attempt to stop the spread of zoonotic diseases, such as rabies. WSPA is calling on governments to stop killing dogs and as an alternative, implement effective dog vaccination programmes. We work with global organisations such as the Global Alliance for Rabies Control, WHO, OIE, Pan American Health Organization and FAO to promote mass dog vaccination over culling, raise awareness and educate people about rabies in communities.

Additionally, whilst reducing the density of dogs may not be critical for effective rabies control; there are many benefits to dog population management. This, combined with responsible pet ownership, can help combat a spectrum of problems associated with roaming dogs, such as injury and fear caused by aggressive behaviours in dogs, nuisance and livestock predation. WSPA work with cross-sector groups to offer unified solutions and guidelines for responsible authorities.

In 2014, through promoting an evidence based approach, and engaging with strategic partners, we plan to continue to develop our portfolio of work in Africa, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Europe. This will ultimately improve the lives of all companion animals, and the communities in which they live.

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB

The Head of Ending Inhumane Culling (Companion Animals)will provide leadership to the Ending Inhumane Culling (EIHC)campaign team to research evidence and strategically plan, develop and implement the campaign strategy for theEIHC Campaignwhilst supporting both the International Director of EIHC (Companion Animals)and the International Director of Campaigns.

POSITION IN ORGANISATION
  • Reports to International Director of Ending Inhumane Culling
  • Work closely with the wider Campaign teams, regional, country offices, and other relevant staff
  • Work closely across all International departments to ensure that campaign strategy supports WSPA’s programmes for animals including advocacy, education, investigations and research
  • Work closely in collaboration with the other members of the Departmental Management Teamto deliver departmental objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Work to the IEHC Director and team to develop and maintain constructive cross-departmental and regional relationships with staff and to create and manage matrix project teams for the delivery of key campaigns
  • Provide technical advice and support to regional and national offices running national or regionalEIHC campaigns as necessary
  • Work with the EIHC Director to develop scientifically backed evidence that helps to deliver innovative and ground breaking EIHC Campaign strategies.
  • Identify relevant peer networks and publishing in peer review journals where appropriate.
  • Drive the development of strategic external relationships with academics, research institutions and Intergovernmental Organisations relevant and influential to the delivery of empirical evidence to back EIHC Campaign strategies.
  • Communicate WSPA’s positions and messages to external and internal audiences, including public forums, the media, political, economic and other actors to influence and promote key messages.
  • Line manage relevant EIHC team staff
  • Manage and monitor allocated team budget

Management

  • Lead and manage the work of the team and ensure the recruitment, retention and high level of performance of well-motivated staff
  • Coach, mentor and develop staff providing feedback, clear objectives, career development opportunities
  • Foster spirit of team work to ensure that the team is working effectively together to enable each employee to succeed
  • Create a workplace culture that is consistent with the overall organisational mission, vision and values
  • Maintain transparent communication with appropriate communication of organisational information through team meetings, one to one meeting and regular interpersonal communication.
Experience/Knowledge
  • In depth knowledge and/or hands-on experience of working on companion animal issues in different settings (for example canine disease management, ecology)
  • Professional accreditation in either a veterinary or epidemiological field, or a related animal welfare science
  • Experience of strategic planning in a companion animal or related field
  • Knowledgeable of the sociocultural issues in the field of companion animal management (or a related field), with a track record of driving policy and practice change
  • Experience of collaborative working with a range of overseas internal and external partners
  • Proven and substantial campaign experience within the private, public and/or charity sectors
  • Proven experience of leading a team, inspiring and motivating them to deliver excellent, inspiring and strategic work which supports the overall organisational objectives
  • Experience of managing and directing complex campaigns to a high standard and successful delivery
  • Experience of developing advisory and problem solving approaches
  • Proven capacity and experience to engage with a range of external and internal stakeholders at all levels and internationally
  • Proven experience at developing & managing budgets

Skills and competencies:

  • Experience of developing operational and strategic plans with proven experience in turning strategy into effective actions
  • Exceptional leadership qualities with the ability to communicate direction, gain commitment to action and develop mutual co-operation across teams and with external contributors
  • First class analytical skills - able to assimilate and analyse information quickly and accurately
  • Ability to develop and implement innovative solutions to problems and make recommendations that take account of long term benefits and risks
  • Ability to develop productive relationships with external stakeholders
  • Excellent presentation skills
  • Creating and monitoring/reporting on budgets using Excel spread-sheets
  • Strong interpersonal, networking and organizational skills
  • Demonstrated facilitation and collaboration skills
  • Excellent verbal and written communications skills; excellent written and spoken English
  • Proactive and a self-starter
  • Ability to build and maintain excellent working relationships with internal departments across the entire WSPA global network
  • Understanding and ability to work with colleagues in different countries and different cultural contexts
  • Works well within the team environment and able to work under pressure of deadlines
  • High level of awareness of global and regional socio-economic, political and environmental issues

Leadership Qualities:

  • Adherence to strategy: constant in strategy but flexible in operations
  • Ability to communicate the big picture and enable others to convert this to action
  • Willingness to model the behaviour we want to see in others
  • Willingness to continually learn and stay on top of current trends
  • Open, transparent where appropriate
  • Resilience
  • Performance focused
  • Influential, diplomatic and persuasive