The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, called the Ramsar Convention, is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. The treaty was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and came into force in 1975. It is the only global environmental treaty that deals with a particular ecosystem, and the Convention’s member countries cover all geographic regions of the planet.
The Convention’s mission is “the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world”.
The Ramsar Convention is independent of the United Nations system of environmental treaties and reports only to its own Contracting Parties, or Member States. The Secretariat operations are administered by IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
With reference to the Ramsar Strategic Plan 2009-2015, especially Strategy 1.4, to enhance the recognition and attention in decision-making to the significance of wetlands for biodiversity conservation, water supply, food security, climate change mitigation and /or adaptation, economic development, including tourism, and human health, and (Strategy 1.3, key result area 1.4.i) to support the development of wetland programmes and projects that contribute to poverty eradication objectives, water and food security plans, human health and climate change mitigation/adaption plans at national and regional levels:
1) Enhance and coordinate the implementation of the Secretariat’s voluntary funding strategy. Oversee the development of existing funding instruments such as Regional Initiatives and Small Grants Fund/Portfolio to maintain existing financial support and attract new sources of income, including public and private sources.
2) Define and prioritise key partner relationships and key fundraising priorities for Ramsar for 2009-2015. Develop effective and regular working relationships with key partners and donors.
3) Lead, advise and support the Ramsar community, including Contracting Parties, Ramsar Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP), and the Ramsar Secretariat in all activities related to partnership and fundraising.
4) Enhance and coordinate the Convention’s overall voluntary funding strategy. Review alternative new sources of income, including public and private sources, and coordinate access to these, be that directly or indirectly.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Partnership development • To maintain and develop existing partnerships with key Ramsar Partners, and develop new ones, in line with priorities, including strategic alliances: o with the UN system; o with multi- and bilateral institutions such as the World Bank Group, development banks, GEF, WTO, EU, OECD, etc.
• To collaborate with the Ramsar Regional Teams and the Communication Teams in furthering the Secretariat’s work as it relates to increasing the appreciation and the recognition of wetland values by existing and additional Ramsar partners in order to stimulate development of new areas of action, including programmes/projects relating to climate change mitigation and adaptation, water quality, land use improvement, together with tourism development and urbanization. • To maintain and develop existing partnerships and broker new collaborative agreements and initiatives between Ramsar and the private sector, and to collaborate with Ramsar International Organization Partners (IOPs) in the development of a private sector engagement strategy. • In consultation with the Senior Regional Advisors, to update and improve working relationships with relevant ministries/agencies within the Ramsar Contracting Parties, especially the ministries of Environment, Foreign Affairs, Water and Finance. • To advise and support Ramsar Contracting Parties, STRP and the Secretary General in their work with partners and donors.
2. Fundraising • To build up voluntary financial contributions, and develop less reliance on Secretariat core budget, through both public and private sector sources. • To provide stewardship for existing fundraising initiatives, such as Small Grants Fund and Regional Initiatives as well as for the Conference of the Parties (COP). • To oversee the preparation of fundraising plans, fundraising proposals, and budgets, in consultation with the Ramsar Senior Regional Advisors and the Finance Officer. • To develop a portfolio of projects to submit to foundations, corporate and individual sponsors, in consultation with the Ramsar Contracting Parties and Senior Regional Advisors. • To oversee the production and review of Ramsar reports to partners/donors to ensure that they meet individual donor requirements. • To work with relevant officers strategically placed in countries/regions and aware of funding opportunities (and through regular exchanges with our IOPs), and to relay the information to our Administrative Authorities, in order to endeavour to match national and regional funding needs with broader funding opportunities. • To develop, coordinate and implement a global fundraising strategy for the Ramsar Convention. This will require consultation with Contracting Parties in order to prioritise funding requirements and the development of a global network of fundraising focal points, the development of fundraising guidelines, and the building and maintenance of support systems.
The aims here are always multi-dimensional and include the raising of funds both directly for the Secretariat to administer but also indirectly, for wetlands, through Contracting Parties, NGOs, IOPs, and other MEAs. The principal objective is to enhance the overall implementation of the Convention.
3. The above job description contains the main duties and responsibilities for this position. However, in a small organization such as the Ramsar Secretariat, staff members are expected to be flexible in their approach to work and be willing to undertake other tasks that are reasonably allocated to them but which may not be part of their formal 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 Secretary General.
REQUIREMENTS
• The key qualities required are awareness of global challenges, skills and commitment to the conservation and sustainable use of the environment, with a focus on wetlands.
• A university degree (preferably post graduate degree) or an equivalent demonstrated knowledge in at least one subject related to wetland conservation and wise use such as economics, business administration, geography, biology, hydrology, water resource management, marine sciences, natural resources management, or land-use planning.
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience with evidence of achievements in the area of partnership and fundraising.
• Familiarity with the UN agencies, other MEAs, major multilateral and bilateral donors and the private sector in the areas of partnership and fundraising activities.
• Demonstrated capacity for effective communication (oral and written) and selling/marketing skills. Ability to liaise, establish and maintain good working relationships with key partners.
• Demonstrated ability to build a complex network of relevant relationships across governmental, non-governmental, environmental and public sectors, and to creatively explore and match their various requirements.
• Demonstrated capacity for innovative and creative initiatives, together with strategic thinking and ability to provide leadershipfor a team and advice to the Secretary General and colleagues.
• Strong organizational skills and good project management experience. Ability to prioritize and work both with limited supervision and in multidisciplinary teams to contribute to a common goal.
• Well developed computer skills and ability to perform the duties described above in a fairly independent manner, with limited assistance from support staff.
• Good understanding of world current affairs, especially in the areas of resource allocation. Appreciation of regional, national and local challenges in a culturally and environmentally diverse world.
• Ability to work independently, with a team spirit and contributing to a common goal.
• Ability to work with full fluency in spoken and written English; knowledge of either French and/ or Spanish is an advantage.
• Willingness to adhere to the Ramsar Convention’s values and the working customs of its Secretariat.
SALARY
The gross annual salary for this position is in the range from CHF 138'080 to CHF 172'600, subject to deductions for social security contributions and second-pillar pension, and before tax.
APPLICATIONS
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).
IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, was founded in 1948 and brings together over 1,100 members (States, government agencies, NGOs and affiliates) and some 11,000 scientists and experts from 181 countries in a unique worldwide partnership. Its mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. Within the framework of global conventions IUCN has helped over 75 countries to prepare and implement national conservation and biodiversity strategies. IUCN has approximately 1,100 staff, most of whom are located in its regional and country offices while some 150 work at its Headquarters in Gland, Switzerland. IUCN is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from qualified women and men.
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