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Programme Officer, Nature-based Solutions Finance

Vacancy #:   5372
Unit:   Global Marine and Polar Programme
Organisation:   International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Location:   Headquarters, Gland, Switzerland
Reporting to:   Manager, Oceans and Climate Change
Work percentage:   100%
Grade:   P2
Expected start date:   01 January 2020
Type of contract:   Max-term (24 months with possibility of renewal)
Closing date:   19 August 2020
BACKGROUND
The IUCN Headquarters is based in Gland, Switzerland and provides vital links for the Union and its members to all the IUCN activities, including projects and initiatives of Regional Offices and the six IUCN Commissions. Its coordination role is above and beyond the policy development and thematic guidance that it undertakes to provide to assist governments, communities and NGOs alike. The Global Marine and Polar Programme’s (“GMPP”) goal is to conserve marine biodiversity by promoting, influencing and catalyzing sustainable uses and equitable sharing of resources while protecting marine ecosystems.

This position will provide leading technical expertise on finance issues to, and take on project management efforts as part of GMPP’s growing programme of work on innovative financing for coastal and marine Nature-Based Solutions (to climate change and beyond). The Programme Officer will report to the Manager, Oceans & Climate Change, GMPP, and work with other associated project staff and consultants as needed. The work will be centred around two main components.
JOB DESCRIPTION
1. Coordination and technical lead for innovative financing for coastal and marine NbS (approx. 70%) including

• Lead coordination and project management support for GMPP’s innovative finance / climate change project portfolio.

o Coordinate with external project partners.
o Coordinate with other IUCN colleagues, including from IUCN’s regional offices, as well as engage with relevant consultants.
o Lead, in support from the Manager, Oceans and Climate Change, project budgeting, budget reviews, as well as technical and financial reporting.
o Ensure IUCN internal administrative tasks, such as internal agreements and new consultancy contracts, are executed in a timely fashion.
o Work with IUCN communication staff to promote project outcomes to a technical and/or wider audience.

• Project delivery and implementation.
o Provide technical expertise for a timely and impactful implementation of projects, primarily focused on innovative financing for coastal and marine NbS.
o Produce relevant outcomes workshop/event documents, draft think pieces and develop and/or review policy papers.
o Strengthen and grow the IUCN networks and partnerships.

2. Engage IUCN’s internal processes to develop a coherent approach to financing NbS with the help of the financial services sector (approx. 30%)

• Coordinate NBS group-wide actions aimed at the development and prioritization of IUCN’s innovative financing approach to NbS, regularly advising the Global Director-NBS and the NBS management team.
• Maintain, update and support NBS group-wide uptake of an NBS Finance Operational Framework, optimizing synergies and coherence of approach between the different NBS teams


o Develop specific finance analysis and/or briefs for relevant international processes and/or consultations
o Lead on technical presentations relevant for international and national policy making
o Engage and represent IUCN at relevant international policy and finance fora and conferences/workshops, as requested

3. Other responsibilities

• Engage in resource mobilization activities / funding for/with innovative financing approaches for coastal and marine NbS
o Initiate and lead small to medium (250k – 1 mill CHF) project developments
o Support the developments of larger proposal (above 1 mill CHF)
• Supervise, mentor, guide and appraise any GMPP staff, interns or consultants as delegated by the Manager, Oceans and Climate, and that IUCN Human Resource management protocols are fully observed and staff members have a clear idea of their role, responsibilities and how their performance is assessed.
• Assume responsibility for other activities that the Director GMPP and / or the Manager, Oceans and Climate may assign from time to time and that do not negatively impact on the delivery of the above responsibilities.
• Act as review focal point for all IUCN GCF/GEF proposals with a private finance component.
REQUIREMENTS
  • Competencies

1. Enthusiastic commitment and vision, characterized by:
• A commitment to nature conservation and sustainable development.
2. Integrity, maturity and trust, as characterized by:
• Unimpeachable integrity as evidenced by behavior.
• Proven ability to effectively collaborate with colleagues and clients.
• Clear commitment to embracing and contributing to a culture of high performance and accountability.
• Demonstrated commitment to working within teams diverse in gender, nationality and background to achieve business results.
3. Professional competencies, characterized by:
• A track record of developing and implementing innovative finance projects around NbS, or equivalent record of relevant finance expertise
• Ability and commitment to act in accordance with IUCN’s core values including, integrity, respect for diversity, safety and dignity at work and professionalism as described in IUCN’s Code of Conduct and Professional Ethics, IUCN’s Policy on Protection from Sexual Abuse, Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Harassment, and IUCN’s Policy on Safety and Security.
• Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills.
4. Commitment to accountable and high quality delivery
• A clear and unambiguous work ethic that understands the necessity of, and demonstrates willingness to adhere to, institutional procedures and standards.
• An enthusiasm for and commitment to understanding and contributing to tangible, equitable and durable change processes in the field of conservation and sustainable development.
5. Sound judgment and decision making, characterized by:
• Well-organized and logical in thought and action.
• Ability to listen and receive feedback, take into consideration alternative points of view and retain some flexibility.
• Ability to anticipate, assess and account for political and reputational risk associated with contested or divergent issues.


• Requirements

• Master’s Degree in a relevant discipline (CFA, Master`s degree in Finance), combination with conservation relevant discipline preferred;
• A demonstrated experience and understanding of developing and managing projects (for internal purposes and donor reporting;
• A demonstrated experience and understanding of implementing grant-making initiatives (evaluation and assessment, communication and engagement with grant recipient, impacts tracking);
• At least 8 years of relevant professional finance experience considered essential;
• At least 2 years of relevant professional conservation experience considered essential;
• Ability to work effectively within a large decentralized workforce of professionals of different nationalities and to mobilize it towards common goals;
• Organizational experience, including a proven ability to work on a variety of tasks simultaneously, and to perform well under pressure;
• Proven ability to work in an interdisciplinary organization, both independently and in a team setting;
• Fluent English. Knowledge of German, French and/or Spanish is an asset;
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills, especially within multi-stakeholder contexts;
• Good knowledge of web-based and information technology;
• Effective communicator to a wide range of audiences;
• Well-developed writing skills;
• Available for travel.
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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