Programme Coordinator – Central Asia

Location: TRAFFIC International, Cambridge, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Reporting to: TEUR - Senior Programme Coordinator

Work percentage: 100%

Grade: P2

Expected start date: 01 October 2026

Type of contract: Fixed-term (up to 12 months with possibility of renewal)

Closing date: 13 August 2026

BACKGROUND
The location for this position can be flexible and candidates will be considered for the position to be based within TRAFFIC offices, including Central Asia, Europe or UK (with travel to Central Asia as required). The salary offered will be based on the office salary scale at the TP2 grade.

ORGANISATIONAL BACKGROUND
TRAFFIC is a leading non-governmental organisation working globally on trade in wild animals and plants in the context of both biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. TRAFFIC International is a charity and limited company registered in the UK, with its head office based in Cambridge, providing worldwide leadership, coordination, and corporate functions. TRAFFIC’s programme offices operate across priority regions to deliver targeted interventions that ensure that trade in wild species is legal and sustainable, contributing to both biodiversity conservation and livelihoods.

JOB DESCRIPTION
CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES
The Programme Coordinator – Central Asia, within the TRAFFIC Europe and Central Asia Programme Office, plays a strategic and operational role in shaping and delivering TRAFFIC’s growing portfolio on wildlife trade in Central Asia. The position is responsible for overseeing a complex regional project portfolio, ensuring high-quality implementation, coherence across initiatives, and alignment with TRAFFIC’s global strategy. The role further leads on identifying and developing funding opportunities and strategic partnerships, positioning TRAFFIC as a key technical and policy actor on wildlife trade issues in Central Asia. This includes proactive engagement with donors, governments, and partners, as well as contributing to high-level policy processes and advocacy to influence regional and international agendas.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Programme and Portfolio Oversight (approx. 40%)

Provide strategic oversight and coordination of TRAFFIC’s Central Asia project portfolio, and institutional setting in the region, ensuring coherence, quality, and delivery against objectives

Supervise project implementation across multiple countries (e.g. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan), ensuring effective planning, risk management, and adaptive delivery

Line manage Programme Manager – Central Asia in implementing activities, troubleshooting challenges, and ensuring compliance with donor requirements

Ensure integration of cross-cutting priorities (e.g., livelihoods, demand reduction, sustainable use, enforcement capacity) across projects

Lead or contribute to programme-level planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting processes

Resource Mobilisation and Opportunity Development (approx. 30%)

Identify and develop funding opportunities aligned with TRAFFIC’s strategic priorities on wildlife trade in Central Asia

Lead or contribute to the development of high-quality concept notes and proposals for key donors (e.g. EU, GEF, bilateral donors)

Build and maintain relationships with donors, development finance institutions, and strategic partners

Track emerging policy, funding, and partnership opportunities in the region and position TRAFFIC accordingly

Facilitate internal coordination to mobilise expertise and ensure competitive proposals

Strategic Advocacy and Policy Engagement (approx. 20%)

Contribute to the development and implementation of TRAFFIC’s Central Asian regional advocacy strategy on wildlife trade issues

Engage with governments, regional bodies, and international processes (e.g. CITES, CBD, CMS-related processes)

Represent TRAFFIC in regional and international fora, including high-level dialogues, conferences, and technical meetings as appropriate

Support the development of policy briefs, technical recommendations, and thought leadership outputs

Strengthen TRAFFIC’s visibility and influence as a trusted partner in Central Asia

Coordination, Partnerships and Representation (approx. 10%)

Collaborate with TRAFFIC’s global and regional teams to ensure alignment with organisational priorities and approaches

Strengthen partnerships with NGOs, intergovernmental organisations, enforcement bodies, and academic institutions

Support coordination with programme office leadership and contribute to internal strategic discussions

REQUIREMENTS
Education and Experience

Advanced degree (or equivalent experience) in environmental policy, conservation, natural resource management, international development, or a related field

At least 7 years of professional experience in programme management and coordination in an international context, in particular in Central Asia context

Proven experience in fundraising and proposal development for institutional and philanthropic donors

Experience working on wildlife trade, biodiversity conservation, or environmental policy

Skills and Competencies

Strong programme and portfolio management skills, including planning, monitoring, and delivery oversight

Line management skills and experience

Demonstrated ability to develop proposals and secure funding from a range of donors

Strong understanding of international policy frameworks (e.g. CITES, CBD, CMS, SDGs)

Excellent stakeholder engagement and partnership-building skills

Strong analytical, writing, and communication skills

Ability to operate strategically while managing operational priorities

Language Skills

Excellent written and spoken English

Writing and speaking in at least one language from the region is highly desirable

Other

Willingness to travel internationally, including to/within Central Asia

Ability to work in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment

Candidates must have the right to live and work in the location of the TRAFFIC office to be situated. We are unable to provide work permits for this position.

SUPERVISION
The Programme Coordinator will provide line management to Programme Manager – Central Asia and other staff and consultants, as delegated by the line manager.

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