TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, works to ensure that trade in wild animals and plants is not a threat to the conservation of nature. It actively monitors and investigates wildlife trade and provides information to diverse audiences worldwide as a basis for effective conservation policies and programmes. TRAFFIC is an international network which is organised into six regional hubs. TRAFFIC is a strategic alliance of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

While we are steadily increasing our research activities and outputs, complete with recommendations for enhanced policy and enforcement interventions, we require a specific skill set to take these recommendations to the relevant agencies and see them through to implementation. Advocating for policy changes and better use of existing laws and regulations is key in the work that TRAFFIC does, and a Senior Policy Officer is essential in making this a success.

This role focuses on improving the overall legal and regulatory framework relating to wildlife trade at national levels including their implications at the regional and international level. The main function of this position is to deliver a policy and advocacy strategy in at least two priority countries for issues relating to wildlife trade and to ensure the effective implementation of that strategy in consultation and in collaboration with relevant partners.

This position will be based in the TRAFFIC’s Southeast Asia Regional Office in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.


Major roles and responsibilities

1. To lead and undertake activities that result in the uptake of policy recommendations and actions from TRAFFIC’s activities on the trade in live animals and those traded for meat and medicine, with an initial geographic focus of Indonesia and Malaysia. Activities would include:
• follow up on the ongoing legislative reviews taking place in Indonesia and Malaysia;
• undertake and supervise studies, research and development of policy briefs, and use them advocate for improvements in the legal and regulatory framework governing wildlife trade in Indonesia and Malaysia, including through the use of case studies;
• monitors policies affecting wildlife trade and identify opportunities for promotion of improved standards in relation to wildlife trade in at least Indonesia and Malaysia.
• Povide policy support for colleagues working on relevant issues in Southeast Asia;
• work with colleague and partners to identify opportunities as they relate to policy messaging, and development communications and advocacy materials to support effective national, regional and international advocacy strategies for improvements in the trade of live animals and those traded for meat and medicine in at least Indonesia and Malaysia;

2. Based on the above, develop and facilitate the implementation of a Policy and Advocacy Strategy for TRAFFIC’s programme in Southeast Asia, in coordination with the Regional Director for Southeast Asia, programme and communications team members.

3. Keep the regional programme informed/updated on important national and regional policy initiatives and directions regarding wildlife trade governance.

4. Builds and develops strategic, informal and formal alliances with key Malaysian and Indonesian agencies that operate and exert influence in wildlife trade related issues, as well as partners from NGOs, research institutions, media and others.

5. Develop proposals for relevant activities according to TRAFFIC’s priorities in Southeast Asia, including those aimed at building capacity within relevant national authorities for the implementation of national trade controls.

6. In consultation and conjunction with regional programme colleagues, assist in providing training on wildlife trade and CITES whenever required.

7. Participate in national and international forums that relate to wildlife conservation policy on behalf of TRAFFIC’s work in Southeast Asia; prepare and contribute to papers and notes that relate to policy in relevant forums.

8. Participate in the general activities of TRAFFIC’s work in the region and beyond, particularly events and activities that require the full support and participation of all staff, whether or not the focus of any particular event or activity has any bearing on your job description and assigned project objectives and activities.