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Position:
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Senior Program Officer
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Reports to:
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Policy and Law Enforcement Support (PLES) Team Leader
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Supervisor to:
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N/A
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Location:
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Ha Noi, Viet Nam
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Country Program:
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WCS Viet Nam Program
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Team/Division:
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Policy and Law Enforcement Support (PLES)
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Position Type:
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Full time
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Internal liaison:
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WCS Viet Nam’s staff
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Expected travel:
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Approximately 30% and as required within the country and region if/when needed
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Organization Background
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, tax-exempt, private organization established in 1895 in New York City. WCS combines the power of its zoos and an aquarium in New York City and a Global Conservation Program in more than 50 countries to achieve its mission to save wildlife and wild places. WCS runs the world’s largest conservation field program, protecting more than 50 percent of Earth’s known biodiversity; in partnership with governments, Indigenous Peoples, Local Communities, and the private sector. Its four zoos and an aquarium (the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and the New York Aquarium) welcome more than 3.5 million visitors each year, inspiring generations to care for nature.
WCS Viet Nam Program Overview
WCS has been working in Viet Nam since 2006, focusing on enhancing the commitment, capacity and actions of the government of Viet Nam to tackle the trafficking of wildlife, supporting national partners through developing and implementing highly focused, evidence-based strategies informed by an in-depth understanding of the dynamics of trafficking and the people involved to reduce the profits of crime and strengthen the risk of capture and sanctions. WCS Viet Nam have generated a wide range of reliable data on a number of related issues on illegal wildlife trade, trained and briefed about 4,500 law enforcement and judicial officers, policy makers, journalists, researchers and managers nation-wide and distributed a number of technical handbooks and guides. It has assisted central agencies in reviewing and proposing necessary changes to national legislation, criminal intelligence analysis systems, and inter-agency cooperation. WCS Viet Nam has also facilitated Government to Government dialogue through multilateral and bilateral collaboration efforts, between Viet Nam and Asian, African and Latin American countries, to detect and respond to transnational illegal wildlife trade networks. Its wildlife health expertise has been leveraged to address unregulated wildlife trade and mitigation of pandemic threats through collaborative research, training, and policy development. In the past decade, WCS Viet Nam has also expanded to work with other conservation organizations and public laboratories towards finding and protecting Rafetus Swinhoei in the wild.
Job Summary
Under the supervision of the Policy and Law Enforcement Support (PLES) Team Leader, the Senior Program Officer will contribute to strengthening wildlife protection in Viet Nam through legal analysis, case review, stakeholder engagement, and implementation of WCS’s pioneering, long-term leadership program – the Wildlife Crime Leadership Initiative (WCLI).
This Job Description is progressive in nature and shall be reviewed and amended from time to time to meet WCS Viet Nam program needs.
Responsibilities
A. Policy Advocacy and Law Enforcement Support
1. Conduct institutional, policy, and legislative reviews to identify gaps and recommend improvements to wildlife protection, preventing zoonotic diseases and law enforcement frameworks;
2. Track national legal developments to identify opportunities for WCS Viet Nam to influence relevant laws and policies;
3. Maintain and regularly update the wildlife crime case database, including court verdicts and enforcement outcomes;
4. Review selected cases to assess the application of wildlife protection laws and identify challenges in investigation, prosecution, and conviction;
5. Provide legal analysis and develop recommendations to strengthen law enforcement responses to wildlife-related violations.
6. Support the implementation of grant-funded activities related to policy, law enforcement, and international cooperation;
B. WCLI Program Implementation
7. Work with Program Manager, M&E Specialist, trainers and local partners to design, develop and conduct evaluation of the WCLI program.
8. Support the development of comprehensive curricula and training materials that incorporate adult learning principles, blended learning methodologies and scenario-based training relevant to the Vietnamese crime prevention context.
9. Coordinate the delivery of learning content to the trainees and facilitate remote or virtual learning when applicable;
10. Act as a communication focal point for the trainees, gathering and conveying their concerns, challenges, and reflections to WCS Viet Nam for timely adjustment and response;
11. Lead the continued implementation of onsite coaching plans for officers trained under previous WCLI cohorts, in coordination with the M&E Specialist, training team and local partners;
12. Provide follow-up support to trainees to address their learning obstacles, and monitor their progress during and after the training courses;
13. Monitor and regularly update the capacity building or training plans of relevant law enforcement and judicial agencies to inform the WCLI implementation;
14. Support the development and promotion of WCLI branding in Viet Nam.
C. Other responsibilities
15. Provide legal and policy inputs for proposal development and fundraising activities;
16. Help maintain strong partnerships with government agencies, academic institutions, development partners, NGOs, and other stakeholders;
17. Assists in managing and updating WCS Viet Nam’s databases related to laws, partners and beneficiaries.
18. Perform additional tasks assigned by the direct supervisor to support the overall effectiveness and adaptability of the WCS Viet Nam team.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Master’s degree in political science, Laws, Police, Procuracy, Judiciary or related field.
Experience and competencies:
- Minimum of 7-10 years working experience related to system strengthening, capacity building legislative development and law enforcement in the government, legal/criminological training institutions, or policy advocacy/influencing campaigns in NGOs or international organizations.
- Knowledge of Viet Nam’s political, legislative, and law enforcement systems.
- Familiar with the legislative development process and criminal proceedings in Viet Nam.
- Ability to handle multitasks, prioritize, attention to detail and self-management efficiently.
- Proficient in digital tools and platforms, including project management software, data systems, and communication technologies.
- Familiarity with illegal wildlife trade, zoonotic disease risks, and relevant policy and enforcement frameworks is highly desirable.
Language requirements:
- Advanced written and verbal communication skills in both English and Vietnamese.
Application procedure
Interested candidates who meet the above qualifications are invited to submit their i) resume, ii) cover letter and iii) samples of policy review work and system strengthening contributions to the recruitment team at vietnamhr@wcs.org by 23:59 on 23 January 2026.
Email subject should be: Senior program officer_YourName
Note: Only shortlisted candidate(s) will be contacted
WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on age, color, disability, gender identify, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by laws and regulations.