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Global Director - Programme and Policy Group
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- Programme Cycle Management, responsible for the Programme planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting, including project management cycle tools;
- Science and Learning, ensures integration, standards and coherence across the organization, in relation to science, learning, and knowledge management;
- Global Policy, ensures standards and coherence within and among component programmes, in relation to global policy.
The Director is responsible for coordinating the IUCN Programme by acting as a link between IUCN’s constituents (Members, Commissions and partners) and the Secretariat, and ensuring effective and timely planning, delivery, monitoring, and evaluation of an integrated and coherent programme for IUCN. She/he is the focal point for all matters related to planning, monitoring, scientific standards, evaluation of, learning from and reporting on IUCN’s Programme and conservation policy. The Director will be the Head of the Global Policy Unit until such time as resources permit the position to be filled.
The Director will ensure that the Programme and Policy Group operates under the following principles:
- Focus on delivery of the Programme and IUCN’s value proposition;
- Transparency and integrity;
- Clear accountability and responsibility, based on clear delegation of authority;
- Efficient and effective management systems;
- Clear and regular communications and learning from experiences;
- Build a rewarding, nurturing, ethical work environment;
- Empowering team members and strong links with IUCN’s constituents (Members, Commissions and partners);
- Innovate and adapt to change.
The Director will be responsible for supervising a group of professionals to ensure that the Programme, policy, science, as well as programmatic learning and evaluation systems and capacities are put in place for the Union.
- Provide technical guidance, leadership and support to the Programme of IUCN.
- Direct and manage the work of the Programme and Policy Group.
- Coordinate IUCN’s programme staff worldwide.
- Provide leadership in communicating the Programme of IUCN.
- Manage the Group staff and oversee the development, implementation, and reporting of annual budgets and workplans.
- Act as Head of the Global Policy Unit.
- Provide timely progress reports on programme development.
- Maintain financial accounts and other records on a regular basis and in accordance with IUCN’s policies and procedures.
- Represent the IUCN Programme to the IUCN Council (including Programme and Policy Committee of Council), with donors and at other external functions.
- Support global management of IUCN.
2. Programme and Policy:
- Lead the development of IUCN’s intersessional Programme and coordinate the process for the development of component programme plans.
- Ensure that priorities are set and results are achieved for the IUCN Programme.
- Ensure that standards for programme performance are put in place and used as an integral part of the management of the Programme.
- Ensure that an effective Global Policy System is implemented for the Union and that IUCN is represented at key strategic policy fora with well prepared policy positions.
- Ensure the implementation of a regular planning cycle, the use of a common set of methods and tools and standards for planning in IUCN, including performance criteria for the IUCN programme.
- Ensure that the quality of programming (skills, capacities and outputs) is monitored at all levels in the Union and adjustments made where necessary.
- Ensure that an evaluation system is in place for the Programme of the Union, including an Evaluation policy, database and regular reporting to management, Council and donors on IUCN’s evaluation activities.
- Develop an IUCN presence in thematic areas, regions and countries, as and when deemed appropriate by the Deputy Director General.
- Ensure the refocusing of annual and IUCN programme reporting to focus on programmatic learning and performance while at the same time meeting IUCN statutory and donor compliance reporting requirements.
- Ensure that the various existing scientific networks, especially the Commissions, are empowered to support programme implementation.
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• A minimum of 15 years of professional experience in conservation or natural resources management, 5 of which should be at senior level; • PhD or Masters Degree and demonstrated technical expertise in a field relevant to the group; • Proven track record in managing complex, highly diverse networks, harnessing their strengths, and effectively coordinating programme delivery through such networks; • A commitment to the ‘One Programme’ concept, working in a decentralized structure, with IUCN’s Membership, Commissions and Regions; • Excellent managerial, interpersonal and team building skills; • Proven ability in strategic planning, policy, project/programme cycle management, performance management, fundraising, and financial management; • Significant experience in conservation policy related matters, particularly at global level; • Ability to undertake discussions at the policy level, understanding different perceptions and attitudes of stakeholders; • Ability to analyze and make recommendations on areas of high political sensitivity; • Strong entrepreneurial orientation and skills; • Ability to work effectively within a large decentralized workforce of professionals of different nationalities and to mobilize it for common goals; • Knowledge and experience of working with networks, knowledge management; • Adequate knowledge and skills in the use of relevant computer programmes; • Fluency in written and spoken English and preferably one or more of IUCN’s other official languages (French and Spanish). • Willingness to travel. |
Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the "Apply" button.
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). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.
Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/
About IUCN
IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.
Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.
IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.
Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being.
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