The IUCN World Parks Congress (WPC) is a once in 10 year event with several thousand participants that brings together the global constituency of governments and non-governmental organisations, professionals and managers to define the agenda and to achieve breakthroughs for funding and implementation of protected area mandates globally. The 2014 WPC will take place in Sydney, Australia in November 2014.

Reporting to the Director, Global Protected Areas Programme, the Executive Officer manages IUCN’s Secretariat involvement in the WPC, is principal point of liaison with the Host Country, and with the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) and oversees the day-to-day planning and development of the WPC. S/he ensures that the contributions from the different Secretariat Units are coordinated.

The Executive Officer supports the International Steering Committee and supports the Director of the Global Protected Areas Programme in giving effect to IUCN’s roles and responsibilities in terms of the MoU between IUCN and the Host Country.

The Executive Officer oversees and guides the design, planning, and development of the World Parks Congress to achieve the outcomes agreed. The WPC Executive Officer is responsible for:

1. Coordinating IUCN’s Secretariat involvement in the WPC, including liaison between HQ and regions, and with global thematic programmes;

2. Acting as IUCN’s principal point of contact with the Host Country and the relevant agencies, ensuring regular communication, the provision of advice and information and support to the Host Country’s planning;

3. Acting as the IUCN’s principal point of contact with the WCPA and other Commissions regarding the preparation for the World Parks Congress themes and activities;

4. Ensuring the close coordination of IUCN’s IT and CRM systems in relation to the customized use of IUCN’s registration and event management systems being employed by the PCO;

5. Undertaking financial planning and managing and monitoring WPC-related projects and expenditures;

6. Coordinating the recruitment of additional consultants or staff required for WPC preparations, supervising their work and monitoring the performance of contracted services;

7. Acting as Executive Officer to the International Steering Committee;

8. Working closely with the WPC Fundraising Officer on day to day issues and playing a role in developing and executing the funding strategy;

9. Supporting the Director, Global Protected Areas Programme in managing relations with the Host Country and donors;

10. Contributing towards designing, implementing and coordinating communication systems pertaining to the Congress, with particular focus on Secretariat offices and programmes, partners and suppliers;

11. Managing the WPC Greening Programme;

12. Providing regular reports to IUCN Management on progress with preparations and identifying and resolving key issues that arise;

13. Other tasks, mutually agreed with the Director, Global Protected Areas Programme pertaining to the planning, development, management and follow-up to the WPC.