This senior leadership position provides an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of implementing the IUCN Vision of a just world that values and conserves nature. In the achievement of IUCN’s Mission and Programme, the IUCN Director for North America encourages the involvement of IUCN members, commission members, governments, international cooperation and social actors.

This position requires an accomplished, credible and reliable senior leader with strong experience and a good understanding of US and Canada's environmental policy issues. As the senior leader of the IUCN North America Office, she/he is equally accountable for financial, people and administrative resources and ensures the financial viability of IUCN Programme in US and Canada in line with IUCN policies and procedures. The Director ensures that all organizational activities are consistently performed under the principles of equity, fairness, inclusiveness and respect for the diversity of people.

Leadership, Programme Management and Representation:

• Represent IUCN on behalf of the Director General in respect of the Secretariat’s activities in the US and Canada;
• Promote IUCN’s mission and presence within the US and Canada, in particular with IUCN’s State, Government and NGO Members and partners, in particular extending and coordinating relationships with the US government and multilateral agencies based in the US;
• Coordinate engagement with and reporting to donors, to ensure consistency in IUCN’s approach in line with IUCN’s Work Programme and priorities;
• Establish priorities and remain accountable for the implementation of work plans to manage and mitigate strategic and operational risks associated with various programmatic engagements;
• Seek and support partnerships building; for programmatic, fundraising and/or membership purposes;
• Oversee the financial management of the IUCN Office in Washington DC, including the budget;
• Establish diplomatic relations with US and Canada and formalize such relationships by forging agreements that enhance active cooperation and collaboration between parties in conserving the integrity and diversity of nature;
• Provide intellectual direction on regional knowledge products and reports;
• As CEO of IUCN-US, provide secretariat services to the Board, including organizing board meetings, coordination of communication among Board members and, with the appropriate Board members, identify and recruit Board members;
• Support the IUCN-US board to provide strategic advice and guidance to IUCN in the US.

Membership and Engagement:

• In collaboration with the IUCN Membership Unit, implement the IUCN Membership strategy and develop membership recruitment, engagement and retention plan for the US and Canada;
• Provide liaison, reporting and communications role with the US and Canadian State Members
• Work with Members and Commission Members in the US and Canada, involve them actively in IUCN governance processes, and deliver the IUCN Programme through the IUCN Contributions Platform and through collaborative projects Support the work of the US National Committee facilitating interactions between members and IUCN secretariat. and other support functions ;
• Engage current and potential members, governments and other partners to work to expand membership in the region actively;
• Initiate, promote and facilitate initiatives and dialogues on key issues of conservation policy based on IUCN's regional and global priorities;
• Support IUCN’s Regional Councillors from the US and Canada in their work related to the IUCN Council;
• Support the US and Canadian National Committees to improve IUCN member understanding and participation in governance processes.

Resource mobilization:

• Develop and implement a diversified resource mobilization strategy with regard to US-based donors and donor institutions, in close collaboration with the Strategic Partnerships Unit in Headquarters;
• Engage with US based funding agencies and individuals and inform them of IUCN initiatives and perspectives, and keep track of evolving donor strategies and policies;
• Support the engagement and participation of key donors in IUCN events such as the World Conservation Congress;
• Inform the wider IUCN Secretariat of funding opportunities from US and Canadian funding agencies, and support the development of proposals to these agencies;
• Ensure that applications for funding and reports to US-based funding agencies made by the wider IUCN secretariat are compliant with donor regulations, appropriate for the funding request, and aligned with IUCN priorities.

Policy influencing:

• In coordination with the US and Canadian National Committees, and selected members, engage with and influence US and Canadian government policies and institutions
• Support engagement with and coordination of IUCN’s policy positions with multilateral organizations in the US;
• Develop and oversee the implementation of a communication strategy, outreach campaigns and activities to raise IUCN’s profile in the USA and Canada;
• People Management Oversee the recruitment and administration of staff working for the Director’s Office, including performance assessment, annual work plans;
• Ensure that all staff working in or from the US office are knowledgeable of and compliant with the US office Conditions of Service in close collaboration with their respective line managers;
• Provide all staff working in or from the IUCN Office in Washington DC with the appropriate working environment, conditions, support and infrastructure;
• Maintain a positive work environment, free from harassment, that facilitates collaboration and information sharing and is conducive to attracting, retaining, and motivating diverse talent;
• Develop and retain close coordination and knowledge exchange links with IUCN Headquarters and other regional and outposted offices collectively determine the most beneficial contribution to IUCN's work.