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Chief Economist

Vacancy #:   1472
Unit:   Economic Knowledge Unit
Organisation:   International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Location:   North America Regional Office, Washington D.C., United States of America
Reporting to:   Deputy Director General - Programme
Work percentage:   100%
Grade:   M2
Expected start date:   01 October 2017
Type of contract:   Max-term (51 months with possibility of renewal)
Closing date:   28 February 2017
BACKGROUND
The new position of the Chief Economist with work in tandem with the Chief Scientist. Together, these two functions will provide strategic direction and quality control for IUCN Secretariat knowledge generation. Specifically, the position will help strengthen IUCN’s intellectual leadership in framing economic policy options to address the drivers of biodiversity losses.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Within the Science and Economic Knowledge Team, the Chief Economist will lead a small economic team and will be expected to:
• Provide forward looking thought leadership to help frame the Secretariat’s strategic priorities – informed by IUCN’s 2017-2020 Programme and on the Hawai’i Commitments – by enhancing the volume, quality, ambition and depth of its analytical production (studies, surveys, working papers, monographs)
• Elevate the voice of IUCN outside of the conservation community by ensuring the continued relevance of its written outputs
• Identify trends and define key topics on which IUCN Secretariat should provide new thought leadership
• Identify, actively monitor and strategize the Secretariat’s pipeline of publication projects
• Review and sign off on publication concept notes. Provide final sign-off of written products to ensure that standards and quality are acceptable
• Draft policy analysis as input to key policy fora, providing new knowledge, new policy insights and broader dimensions of understanding
• Coordinate closely with the Global Communications Unit as well as the Office of the Director General to ensure maximum reach and impact of IUCN analysis
• Represent the Director General in relevant technical fora and meetings, such as at the World Bank, OECD and relevant United Nations meetings
• Prepare and manage the implementation of research and funding proposals for identified and agreed priority work
• Provide leadership by promoting continued quality improvement in the generation of IUCN analysis

The Chief Economist, working together with the Chief Scientist, will lead the production of a periodic (in due course, annual) flagship product with the aim of creating greater awareness of and priority for the imperative of biodiversity conservation in circles outside the conservation community. In so doing, the Chief Economist will:

• Finalise the conceptual framework for a flagship report. The report would focus on conservation with each issue tackling a priority area (e.g. conflict, agriculture, urbanization, consumption) and how the conservation imperative relates to this
• Lead on the conceptual development of an index which would provide insights on country performance on aspects of conservation. Such an index would be updated with each edition of the flagship report
• Manage the production of the flagship report, including by mobilizing IUCN Senior Management, leveraging IUCN project results and connecting to knowledge generated across the Secretariat and IUCN Commissions
• Provide input to the development of associated communication products, as these are developed by the Director of Global Communications
• Fundraise for the ongoing development of the flagship report, in close coordination with the Strategic Partnerships Unit
REQUIREMENTS
  • PhD in macroeconomics, public finance, statistics, or related fields with a good grounding in quantitative analysis and, preferably, experience in empirical and policy oriented research

• Minimum of 20 years relevant experience in macro- economics, international economics or environmental economics (with macroeconomics specialisation) within international organization or the private sector

• Strategic, big picture thinking and ability to relate to the “global conversation”. Deep understanding and interest in current affairs and the international development and environment agenda

• Impeccable writing skills and strong track record of publications and quantitative analysis

• Strong management skills and ability to lead multidisciplinary teams

• Outstanding communications skills with an ability to reach out to different audiences , including technical fora, high level policy platforms, media

• Diplomacy, good networking skills and excellent interpersonal skills. Track record of working effectively in a multicultural and diverse environment with colleagues at all levels

• Willingness to travel

• Fluency in English is essential for this position. Fluency in one or more of IUCN’s other official languages (French and Spanish) is highly desirable
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). 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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