The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 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. IUCN has approximately 1,000 staff, most of whom are located in its regional and country offices, and at its Headquarters in Gland, Switzerland. IUCN is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from qualified women and men.

The IUCN’s Regional Office for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean is seeking candidates for Knowledge Management & Communications Specialist to support the implementation of projects of the Unit of Biodiversity and Rights in general, but particularly to support in field
an USAID-funded three year program entitled “Improved Coastal Watersheds and Livelihoods Program (ICWL)” for $3.7 million, to be implemented in the area of the Gulf of Fonseca that is shared between Honduras and El Salvador. The program will be run from Honduras where the IUCN has an office, and the main office of the Programme will be located in San Lorenzo, Honduras, with an operating base in La Unión El Salvador, in close coordination with the IUCN Regional Office’s main center in Costa Rica.



To implement the position this person should coordinate directly with the coordinator of the Unit of Biodiversity and Rights and the Chief of Party (COP) of the ICWL project in which case the IUCN— will joint efforts to work in close partnership with a Consortium of local and well established organizations: Committee for Defense and Development of Flora and Fauna of the Gulf of Fonseca (CODDEFFAGOLF), Foundation for Rural Enterprise Development (FUNDER), Salvadoran Foundation for Social Promotion and Rural Development (FUNSALPRODESE), and other relevant partners from different sectors (non-profit, public and private sectors).

Primarily responsible for overseeing the design and implementation of the ICWL knowledge management, communication and dissemination strategy of the project at national, regional and international level as well as ensuring jointly with M&E specialist the timely implementation of monitoring plan and periodic evaluations with corresponding corrective measures, when pertinent. Communication and dissemination tasks will include developing and fine-tuning key messages and products for target audiences in order to mobilize stakeholders and draw attention to both the ICWL Program and the needs of the Gulf of Fonseca. S/he will supervise the design and production of all audio-visual and written materials and check quality before their distribution or release into the public arena, as well as compliance with IUCN’s and USAID’s branding and marking policies. S/he will be on charge of systematization of learned lessons and knowledge management products. The activities related to learning and knowledge management are directed toward technical and managerial decision making (Programme) as well as dissemination and communication.

As well, S/he will be responsible to support communication processes and products at regional level, upon request of the coordinator of the Biodiversity and Rights Unit to ensure learning and knowledge management as well as communication and diffusion of the projects included in the portfolio of the Biodiversity and Rights Unit.

S/he will coordinate with technical staff, supervision of pilot projects, and provide guidance and orientation to ensure that such actions are fully aligned and harmonized with work undertaken within the main project partners, advisory groups and beneficiary groups.


RESPONSABILITIES

1.Coordinate communication processes and be the communication focal point of the Biodiversity and Rights Unit with the Regional Communication Coordinator of IUCN ORMACC
2.Design and implement the ICWL communication and dissemination strategy.
3.Design and implement the learning and knowledge management efforts in a participatory manner for both decision making at managerial/technical level and communication/dissemination of the projects results.
4.Compile and disseminate success stories; support the compilation of best practices, case studies and guidelines; seek opportunities to promote learning and networking; produce policy and advocacy briefs; and record the successes had by projects, but in particular ICWL.
5.Developing and fine-tuning key messages and products for target audiences in order to mobilize stakeholders and draw attention to both the ICWL Program and the needs of the Gulf of Fonseca.
6.Supervise the generation of all audio-visual and written materials and check quality before their distribution or release into the public arena.
7.Ensure the compliance of messages, publications, videos, communications with IUCN’s and USAID’s branding and marking policies.
8.Design, set up and maintain a program webpage.
9.Take the lead on content development (research, write and post communication pieces) for the website and will advise on effective strategies for reaching internal and external audiences on events, opportunities, news, and new resources.
10.Lead the copyediting and proofing of program publications, and the production of communication and sensitization campaigns to engage specific target groups, and recommend opportunities to position ICWL at the regional and global level.
11.Define the processes, measures and products required to provide qualitative and quantitative contexts to ICWL Program’s results, indicators, experiences and lessons learned.
12.Ensure the use of information and results generated by the Programme and other initiative into capacity building, training and exchange of experiences.
13.Assure the periodic dissemination of strategic information concerning the program’s objectives, progress, results, information resources, allies and next steps.
14.Coordinate and organize the Knowledge Management Team, setting clear objectives and deliverables as part of each annual work plan.