IUCN logo

Human Resources
Management System

content-background
pdf
Organisation Logo

Programme Officer, Species

Vacancy #:   5378
Unit:   Asia - Science and Strategy Group
Organisation:   International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Location:   Asia Regional Office, Bangkok, Thailand
Reporting to:   Senior Programme Officer, Species/ Programme Coordinator, SSG
Work percentage:   100%
Grade:   P1
Expected start date:   09 January 2023
Type of contract:   Fixed-term (24 months)
Closing date:   08 July 2020
BACKGROUND
The Science and Strategy Group (SSG) is considered one administrative entity, and has evolved from the previous Ecosystems and Livelihoods Group, Asia construct. It brings under one umbrella all component thematic programmes in IUCN.

The Science and Strategy Group (SSG) is involved in a growing number of species-related projects in Asia, including:

• The Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) project in Southeast Asia;
• The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, Indo-Burma Hotspot, Phase III;
• IUCN Save Our Species Gibbons;
• The Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Programme (ITHCP).

In addition to managing its own portfolio of projects, SSG provides frequent technical support on species conservation issues to IUCN’s country offices across the Asia region. This includes, for example, the provision of training in the use of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species criteria and categories.

In order to ensure that this growing portfolio of projects is effectively managed and coordinated, SSG is looking for a dynamic, results-driven person to support the implementation of the species portfolio across the Asia region.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Programme Officer, Species, will support the implementation of SSG’s species portfolio, and will have particular responsibility for ensuring the effective day-to-day delivery of the CITES MIKE South-East Asia Project.


SPECIFIC DUTIES:

1 Project Implementation

1.1 CITES MIKE South-East Asia Project
The specific objective of this project is to enhance the ability of South-East Asian elephant range States to effectively implement their monitoring, enforcement and compliance commitments relating to Asian elephants under CITES. Under the supervision of the Project Manager, the Programme Officer, Species, will:

• Lead the day-to-day implementation of the project in collaboration with the relevant governments, IUCN Country Offices and other key partners;
• Develop and implement the annual work plan, including for monitoring and reporting;
• Contribute to the development, adaptation and field testing of MIKE Programme approaches, tools and methodologies (e.g. Law Enforcement Capacity Assessment) for application in the Asian context, and provide feedback on potential improvements or amendments needed;
• Support MIKE sites in the regular collection, synthesis and storage of elephant mortality data in accordance with the MIKE Programme monitoring protocols, including follow-up assistance in enhancing the reliability of such data, and carrying out on-side data audits where required;
• Organise trainings to build site-level capacity on collection and management of MIKE data, law enforcement planning and strategy development, and specialist skills for combatting illegal killing of elephants and trade in specimens;
• Support the logistical organisation and technical preparations for the Sub-regional Partner Meetings and ensure the effective and efficient delivery of these meetings and preparation and dissemination of the meeting minutes (or other meeting records);
• Develop drafts of all technical reports required for the project, for review and finalisation by the Project Manager;
• Coordinate the preparation of financial reports by the ARO Finance Department;
• Communicate regularly with the MIKE Central Coordination Unit and attend all Project Coordination Meetings.

1.2 Support the implementation of other species related projects
IUCN Asia and the Natural Resources Group implement several projects with relevance to the species programme. These include: Save Our Species Gibbons; the Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Programme; and the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (serving as the Regional Implementation Team). The Programme Officer, Species, will:
• Support the implementation of the on-granting components of these projects, including:
- project screening and contracting procedures;
- portfolio data management;
- capacity development events;
- monitoring and evaluation processes; and
- project reporting and documentation.
• Help ensure regular communication between IUCN and grantees.

2 Programme development and technical support
2.1 Assist with the development of new project concepts and proposals addressing SSG’s species conservation and wildlife trade priorities;
2.2 Provide species-related guidance and technical support to IUCN country programmes.

3 Programme planning, assessment and reporting
3.1 Contribute to the production of relevant technical reports and outputs as stipulated in the yearly work plans of SSG;
3.2 Contribute to information sharing, lessons learning and documentation of project and programme experiences.

4 Capacity development
4.1 Contribute to the provision of technical advice and backstopping to help promote the use of best practice approaches by IUCN staff in the region;
4.2 Keep abreast of the latest developments in species conservation emerging both from within IUCN and from outside the organisation, and bring relevant items to the attention of SSG leadership.

5 Networking and partnership develop
5.1 Assist SSG to maintain strong and productive relationships with the IUCN Global Species Programme and the IUCN Species Survival Commission, as well as external partners and initiatives such as the Asian Species Action Partnership (ASAP), TRAFFIC and the WWF’s Wildlife Crime Initiative.

6. Other Duties
6.1 Represent the Natural Resources Group and/or the IUCN Asia Regional Office at national, regional and international events, when requested;
6.2 Carry out other relevant tasks assigned by, and mutually agreed with, the line manager
REQUIREMENTS
  • Bachelors degree or higher in Conservation Biology, Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Project Management, or a relevant field

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in programme/project coordination and implementation, preferably in a field directly related to the environment and/or species conservation;

• Proficient in the use of office applications (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other web-based management systems;

• A high level of organisational skills and attention to detail; good analytical and presentation skills;

• An ability to work co-operatively as part of a large team with strong inter-personal skills and an ability to work in different cultural contexts with strategic partners;

• A willingness to travel throughout the Asia region and work under pressure to meet deadlines.

• Fluent in English (verbal/written)

• Competency in a language of South-East Asia considered beneficial

• Candidates with international experience preferred.
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.

www.iucn.org
https://twitter.com/IUCN