Vacancy Announcement
Programme Officer: Knowledge Products and policy support
Work percentage:
100 %
Location:
IUCN Global Species Programme office, Cambridge, UK
Reporting to:
Global Director – Biodiversity Conservation Group
Type of contract:
Indefinite
BACKGROUND:
‘Providing knowledge products’ is one of the four priority business lines in the IUCN Programme (20132016). IUCN aims to further develop and integrate its six ‘flagship’ knowledge products mobilized through
IUCN Commissions, Members and Secretariat. These include The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
and Protected Planet (World Database on Protected Areas); and the developing Red List of Ecosystems
and Key Biodiversity Areas. Each of the knowledge products is fundamentally important in its own right.
However, there is potential for them to deliver even more than is possible through each of the six parts
individually. This post aims to support the development of the individual knowledge products as well as
their integration.
The adoption of the Strategic Plan (The Strategic Plan for Biodiversity) and its 20 Aichi targets at the
Convention on Biological Diversity’s tenth meeting in Nagoya, October 2010, was a key step forward in
charting a course to conserve biodiversity for 2020, and one is which IUCN played a major role in
developing. Knowledge and information on biodiversity provide an essential underpinning for the
implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity. The Biodiversity Conservation Group, comprising the
Global Species, Global Protected Areas, and World Heritage Programmes, as well as the Invasive Species
Initiative and TRAFFIC, is the IUCN base for IUCN’s area-related ‘Flagship Knowledge Products’. These
knowledge products aim to provide critical and unique information, available nowhere else on earth on the
status of species and ecosystems (and by extension genetic diversity) to inform the use and conservation
of the land and sea. A current priority has been placed on the refinement of the KBA standard and it’s
subsequent implementation. Where possible and relevant the position will build links with the IUCN
Regions to promote better use of and support for the development of the knowledge products.
IUCN’s knowledge products provide an essential information base for work to achieve the Aichi targets.
This post will support the application of the IUCN knowledge products to the achievement of the IUCN
Programme and the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity. It works to support the achievement of the Aichi
biodiversity targets through helping to ensure that the knowledge products are both understood and utilized
in relevant policy fora. There is currently a particular focus promoting the achievement of Aichi target 12:
By 2020 the extinction of known threatened species has been prevented and their conservation status,
particularly of those most in decline, has been improved and sustained which has clear links to The IUCN
Red List.
The Programme Officer will report to and work closely with the Global Director, Biodiversity Conservation
Group. This work spans the work of all constituent Programmes of the Group, and indeed will involve
working with IUCN globally. The incumbent will also work closely with other staff working on area based
knowledge products notably the GSP Red List Unit, the Programme Officer, Conservation Planning, based
in the Global Species Programme, Cambridge, UK, the IUCN Science and Knowledge Programme, and
also with the joint IUCN SSC (Species Survival Commission) - WCPA (World Commission on Protected
Areas) Protected Areas and Biodiversity task force to support the technical deliverables of the position on
Key Biodiversity Areas.
The Biodiversity Conservation Group hosts the IUCN technical focal points for 5 of the 6 biodiversityrelated Multilateral Environmental Agreements (the Ramsar focal point sits with the IUCN Water
Programme) and works closely with the Global Policy Unit to support their implementation.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (% of time allocated per month)
Knowledge products mobilized through IUCN
1. Contribute to the development of a strategy for the integration and inter-operability of the IUCN
flagship knowledge products including: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Key Biodiversity
Areas, World Database on Protected Areas, Protected Planet, Global Invasive Species Database,
and Red List of Ecosystems.
2. Contribute to the development and implementation of a strategy for the refining and
implementation of the new standard for sites of global biodiversity conservation significance (IUCN
KBA implementation strategy) in discussion with relevant partners.
Fundraising and project development (40%)
3. Lead/support fundraising activities and project development related to the area based knowledge
products with a priority on key biodiversity areas.
4. Develop project proposals to support the development and application of the consolidated criteria
for identifying sites of global biodiversity significance to identify, delineate, and document key
biodiversity areas, working closely with the Programme Officer, Conservation Planning.
Policy influencing (25%)
5. Identify and coordinate critical policy influencing opportunities in the Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD) and other biodiversity-related conventions for the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and
biodiversity indicators, as well as ensuring awareness and uptake of knowledge products. An
emphasis will be on Strategic Goals B, C and D of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity, but the work
will link to all 20 targets.
6. Support specific work to promote use of The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as a means of
supporting achievement of Aichi target 12. This includes supporting the Friends of target 12
network.
7. Support the development and implementation of IUCN Policy positions for the CBD and other
biodiversity-related multi-lateral environmental agreements to influence policy negotiations relevant
to implementing the Aichi targets the establishment of KBAs.
Communications, capacity development and outreach (10%)
8. Support outreach work for IUCN’s area related knowledge products (including events at the 2014
IUCN World Parks Congress).
9. Act as the IUCN focal point on technical issues related to KBAs and their link to the other
knowledge products, and act as an internal champion to explain, promote and highlight the KBA
approach in project design.
10. Support or lead, as appropriate, the development of publications emerging from the process that
demonstrate the link between IUCN generated knowledge and its utility for the Strategic Plan for
Biodiversity and the biodiversity-related Conventions.
Coordination (15%)
11. Cultivate opportunities for exchange and collaboration with custodians of data related to IUCN
Flagship knowledge products include IUCN Red List partners, e.g. BirdLife International, RBG
Kew, and Zoological Society of London.
12. Ensure regular exchange between the work of this position and the IUCN Biodiversity
Conservation Group units and programme staff in other relevant parts of the IUCN Secretariat.
Programme planning, Strategy Development and budgeting (10%)
13. Support the Biodiversity Conservation Group Directorate work planning, budgeting, financial
management, reporting and monitoring requirements.
The above job description contains the main duties and responsibilities for this position. However, in an
organization such as IUCN, staff members are expected to show flexibility in their approach to work and
be willing to undertake other tasks that are reasonably allocated to them but which are not part of their
regular job description. Where any task becomes a regular part of an employee's responsibilities, the job
description will be changed in consultation with the employee and the Human Resources Management
Group.
REQUIREMENTS
•
At least 5 years’ work experience at a professional level.
•
Masters Degree or equivalent in Ecology, Biology, Geography or a relevant field.
•
Knowledge and experience of the knowledge products mobilized through IUCN.
•
Demonstrated international policy knowledge and experience and success including effective
development and dissemination of position papers and influencing delegations prior to and at
international meetings;
•
Knowledge and experience of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Strategic Plan for
Biodiversity, the 20 Aichi Biodiversity targets and biodiversity indicators
•
Demonstrated fundraising experience and success including development and management of
projects; liaising and maintaining relationship with donors of various types;
•
Demonstrated strong project planning and project management experience, including financial
management and monitoring and evaluation, and in formulating and implementing field projects
and programmes.
•
Excellent command of written and spoken English; demonstrated ability for report writing and
ability to communicate complicated technical issues to a wide range of audiences and cultures.
(French or Spanish language proficiency an asset).
•
Ability to take initiative, exercise good judgment, think laterally and resolve complex issues in a
dynamic and changing environment.
•
The ability to explain the work in simple terms with a creative approach to communications in
developing materials to support the work
•
Willingness to speak in public, organize and on occasion chair meetings and conference calls,
communicate regularly to IUCN stakeholders
•
Demonstrated writing skills, in particular as regards the need to develop communications and
publications.
•
Deep understanding of, and passion for, biodiversity conservation.
•
Familiarity with IUCN’s knowledge products; knowledge of systematic conservation planning
techniques.
•
Familiarity with IUCN resolutions, policies, strategic and programme planning documents.
•
Willing and able to travel internationally on a regular basis.
•
Must be eligible to work and live in the UK to be considered for this role.
APPLICATIONS
Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy
announcement and pressing the "Apply" button:
http://hrms.iucn.org/iresy/index.cfm?event=vac.show&vacId=814
Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be
accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during
Daylight Saving Time, DST) on 20th May 2014