This position is responsible for coordinating the administrative, operational support and financial management of the Global Protected Areas Programme (GPAP), including support to the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) in relation to the Commission Operating Fund.

The reorientation and growth of the Global Protected Areas Programme, coupled with an expanding project portfolio requires that administrative, operational support and financial management is coordinated and managed across the full scope of the programme’s priorities, including existing and future core and project administrative staff. The Programme Operations Officer is responsible for establishing and managing the administrative arrangements, including financial management, of the GPAP Headquarters-based unit.

1. General office administration
• Establish and manage the administration of the GPAP HQ unit, including all administrative procedures needed for the effective running of the unit, including documentation, staff records, staff meetings and routine office management procedures;
• Maintain effective liaison with the General Services Unit of IUCN in respect of corporate administrative procedures as required;
• Maintain effective liaison with the Information Systems Unit of IUCN in respect of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, and the procedures relevant to the efficient operation of the GPAP HQ unit;

2. Work programming, reporting and meetings
• Provide support to the Director and Deputy Director in respect of planning and documenting work programmes, and for monitoring and reporting;
• Manage the organisation of staff meetings and workshops, including taking the lead in logistic arrangements and assisting in the development of agendas, background materials and documentation. Participate in meetings and conference calls and take minutes and /or notes as required.

3. Budgeting and financial management
• Provide support to the Director and Deputy Director in respect of financial planning, budgeting and financial administration;
• Maintain effective liaison with the Global Finance Group, in respect of corporate financial management, reporting and auditing procedures, in accordance with the roll-out of the ERP system;
• In conjunction with the Global Finance Group, monitor income and expenditure against budget, maintain a commitment ledger and forecasts of expenditure, prepare financial management reports on a monthly and quarterly basis through the financial year, and attend to reconciliations and adjustments to budgets and reports;
• Provide information and support for internal and external oversight and audit functions as required.

4. Services to the World Commission on Protected Areas
• Provide support to the Director and WCPA Chair regarding the annual allocation, disbursement and reporting on the use of the Commission Operating Fund;
• Maintain a technical and financial reporting procedure for WCPA, including for use of the Commission Operating Fund.

5. Contracts
• Maintain a register of all current, past and future contracts, including the requirements for technical and financial reporting;
• Coordinate with the relevant staff in GPAP and IUCN Finance as well as with Commission members the preparation of technical and financial reports in respect of contracts;
• Ensure that income and payments in respect of contracts are effected in accordance with the specific contractual terms and in accordance with IUCN financial management procedures.

6. Project financial management
• Assist with the development of financial management procedures for existing and proposed projects;
• Manage the financial management and reporting of projects in accordance with project agreements.

7. Human resources management
• Maintain effective liaison with the Global Human Resources Group, in respect of the application of HR policies and procedures within GPAP and WCPA as required;
• Provide support to the Director and Deputy Director in respect of human resource management procedures, including support to performance management.