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Director – Global Marine and Polar Programme

Vacancy #:   2875
Unit:   Global Marine and Polar Programme
Organisation:   International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Location:   Headquarters, Gland, Switzerland
Reporting to:   Deputy Director General - Programme
Work percentage:   100%
Grade:   M2
Expected start date:   15 April 2019
Type of contract:   Max-term (33 months with possibility of renewal)
Closing date:   14 October 2018 (extended)
BACKGROUND
The Director of the Global Marine and Polar Programme is responsible for the development and implementation of IUCN’s programme of work on over 70% of the Earth’s surface, including coastal and inshore waters, marine exclusive economic zones (EEZ), high seas and polar regions. Its work focuses on addressing the threats to conservation and societal well-being in the marine and polar domain, including climate change, marine plastic pollution, deep sea mining, ocean acidification, finding and promoting feasible solutions and, in close collaboration with the IUCN commissions, generating cutting edge knowledge. Ocean conservation and sustainable management is regarded as a major growth priority for IUCN as reflected in the Hawai’i Commitments. Based in IUCN’s head office in Gland, Switzerland, the Director is the accountable authority for IUCN’s overall approach and strategy to marine and polar related matters in IUCN regarding policy, programmatic substance, the quality of programme delivery and impact, project development and portfolio coherence, resource mobilization and representation. The Director must possess a strong knowledge of, and technical track record associated with, marine and polar issues, as well as an established reputation as an effective and proactive managerial leader.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Section A – Duties and Responsibilities

1. Programme Development and Delivery

• Lead the development and delivery of IUCN’s programme of work on Marine and Polar issues by providing a well-defined, client-facing strategic focus over the medium and long term, ensuring effective programming and accountable project implementation, and guiding analysis and evaluation of on-going programmatic activities.
• Ensure coherence and integrity in all IUCN Marine and Polar activities and interventions, particularly with respect to:- i) the generation of analysis and insights that shape and influence current international narratives, ii) by positioning IUCN as a reliable and trusted authority to convene and build trust among disparate stakeholder groups; and iii) through working with IUCN’s Regional Offices seek to stand up cohesive region-facing projects and programmatic initiatives that facilitate inclusive policy implementation at the trans-boundary, national and sub-national level.
• Act as IUCN’s senior accountable authority and focal point on Marine and Polar issues and the application of nature-based solutions to societal challenges.
• In close coordination with the Principal Marine and Polar Scientist ensure provision of adequate Secretariat technical support to and collaboration with the IUCN expert Commissions.
• Ensure that IUCN members and national committees are, where possible and feasible, proactively incorporated into the execution of IUCN’s marine and polar programme of work, ensuring that IUCN operational and compliance standards are both understood and adhered to.
• Coordinate with those colleagues across global thematic units and Regional and Country Offices working on Marine and Polar issues to ensure that they function as an integrated team, that there is coherence and consistency in the policy statements, and a high quality of technical and policy advice is given to projects and programmes, including IUCN’s GEF and GCF portfolios.
• Provide guidance and support for the systematic inclusion of Marine and Polar perspectives in development and implementation of the quadrennial IUCN Programme.

2. Management and resource mobilization
• Manage the Programme, including directing and deploying all Marine and Polar staff, financial resources, budgets, communications, and planning, assessment and reporting as required by IUCN systems.
• Ensure that all GMPP staff members have a clear understanding of operational plans, their own role in delivering these plans, how this relates to the role of others colleagues and the necessary accountability and risk management procedures they must adhere to.
• Spot, encourage and nurture talent, while at the same time proactively addressing behaviours that could diminish the effectiveness and well-being of the team.
• Develop and maintain a high-quality, programmatically aligned project portfolio that is sufficient to deliver the IUCN programme of work on marine and polar issues, collaborating closely with IUCN Commissions and IUCN regions and other thematic programmes.
• In consultation with Regional and Global colleagues, shape the strategic direction for the Marine and Polar Programme and lead fundraising for the Programme through maintaining strategic relationships with donor and funding agencies so as to ensure the financial viability of the Programme.
• Proactively contribute to and participate in the senior management team of the Nature-based Solutions group with particular emphasis on building and reinforcing a group-wide transparent and accountable management culture

3. Policy and Communications
• Drawing on inputs from the Principal Marine and Polar Scientist, prioritize engagement with key Marine and Polar policy fora, ensuring that the Union’s perspectives on marine and polar issues are adequately represented in relevant international fora and negotiations.
• Working closely with Regional and Global teams and in close coordination with IUCN’s Communications Group, ensure IUCN’s knowledge, recommendations and policies are effectively communicated to identified target users at global, regional and country levels by working with the Principal Scientist to develop and implement appropriate strategies for knowledge uptake and communications

Section B – Competencies

1. Enthusiastic commitment and vision, characterized by:
• A commitment to nature conservation and sustainable use.
• Ability to provide inspiration and strategic direction.

2. Leadership abilities and experience, maturity and management skills, characterized by:
• Unimpeachable integrity as evidenced by behavior, communication style and way of handling ambiguous or difficult situations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and lead the work of the Secretariat with diverse skills, personalities, and backgrounds.
• Proven ability to effectively delegate, empower and motivate staff and others.
• Experience developing teams and individuals and effectively leading improvement and change.
• Clear commitment to fostering a culture of high performance and accountability, demonstrated in the ability to manage by results, differentiate performance and assertively give feedback and take decisive action when necessary.
• Demonstrated ability to both plan and take action, keeping the staff focused on priorities.
• Demonstrated experience in the selection, coaching and appraisal of staff.
• Demonstrated experience building teams diverse in gender, nationality and background to achieve business results.

3. Senior management experience, characterized by:
• A well-developed sense of managerial self-awareness with an ability to proactively manage individual strengths and weaknesses (including one’s own) and understand how these influence the team’s performance.
• Demonstrated experience and achievements in organizational, financial and personnel management, and in decision-making.
• A commitment to embrace and co-own institutional change processes
• Proven experience in maintaining and nurturing expert networks with demonstrated ability to handle politically and culturally sensitive issues.
• Maintain a positive work environment that facilitates collaboration and information sharing and is conducive to attracting, retaining, and motivating diverse talent.

4. Professional competencies, characterized by:
• Good understanding of world affairs and experience with the workings of Multilateral Environmental Agreements and governmental and non-governmental institutions.
• Recognition among peers in terms of leadership and understanding of social science related issues
• Ability and commitment to act in accordance with the core values of integrity, respect for diversity and professionalism as spelled out in IUCN’s Code of Conduct and Professional Ethics.

5. Sound judgment and decision making, characterized by:
• Experience in identifying key issues in a complex situation, and consulting, gathering, and analyzing relevant information before proposing and implementing decisive actions or recommendations.
• Unwavering institutional loyalty and a willingness to embrace and publicly stand-up for the decisions and directions as set by Congress, Council and the Director General.
• Well-organized and logical in thought and action.
• Ability to anticipate, assess and manage risk.

The above job description contains the main duties and responsibilities for this position. However, in a small organization such as IUCN, staff members are expected to show flexibility in their approach to work and be willing to undertake other tasks that are reasonably allocated to them but which are not part of their regular 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 Human Resources Management Group. Being an international organization the institution reserves the right to re-assign duty stations for any internationally recruited position, after consultation with staff members and taking into account their personal circumstances.
REQUIREMENTS
  • At least 10 years of experience of designing, leading and managing initiatives, programmes and projects in the field of marine and polar conservation, including the sustainable management of marine resources, with a particular emphasis on the delivery of local and global societal and environmental benefits. Management of programmes and projects in a developing country context is a distinct advantage.

• At least 10 years of experience of proven capacity and skills in leading and managing diverse, multi-stakeholder partnerships and networks involving e.g. government agencies, NGOs, international organizations, development agencies, and scientific and technical bodies.

• At least 10 years of proven experience in managing a large team of professionals, including through a decentralized global network.

• Demonstrated capacity to successfully design projects according to the latest project appraisal standards. Previous working experience of the GEF or other multilateral funding mechanism would be an additional asset.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, including ability to communicate complex issues to a wide range of audiences. A second language (French, Spanish) is highly desirable.

• Ability to travel frequently.
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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