IUCN HQ Library serves as the unique repository of IUCN publications and reports and also holds a wealth of conservation-related material in its physical collections.

Thanks to a grant from the Arcadia Fund, IUCN aims to expand the digitization of our collection to increase the free, worldwide access to the conservation knowledge produced by IUCN.

IUCN is a science-based organisation that relies heavily on expertise from across its Membership, Commissions and Secretariat to provide policy relevant advice for sound biodiversity conservation decision-making. Mobilising that knowledge from across IUCN’s constituencies and integrating it into IUCN’s Programme are fundamental aspects of the work of the Science and Knowledge Unit (https://www.iucn.org/theme/science-and-knowledge/our-work). Specifically, the Unit supports the development, standards, integration, and sustainability of knowledge products; connects IUCN to peer networks; and strengthens IUCN’s culture of science and knowledge. As the world’s largest environmental network—comprising 15,000+ experts, 1,400 Member organisations (from governments, non-governmental organisations, and indigenous peoples’ organisations), and around 950 staff—IUCN is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between the open access movement and the conservation community, as part and parcel of its historic efforts to facilitate access to knowledge on nature conservation.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting to the Library and Publications Manager, this three-year limited-term position is to be primarily engaged in advocating for open access and in effective outreach and instruction to IUCN and the conservation community on topics related to scholarly communications. This is an exciting opportunity to establish the building blocks of open access within IUCN’s conservation community – many of whom are based within NGOs and governments rather than universities --- and thereby boosting the availability and quality of scholarly literature on biodiversity and conservation.

This position would be responsible for:
• Organising the development and implementation of an IUCN Open Access policy
• Supporting the development of an IUCN repository
• Provision of advice, guidance, and services for journals created by IUCN as a means of improving their quality and dissemination
• Development of educational programming and provision of individualized advice in areas of scholarly communication literacy, including organizing an event at the World Conservation Congress in September 2021 for the IUCN community


ADDITIONAL PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Fluency in Spanish and/or French
• Experience developing and implementing policies
• Experience with repository and publishing platforms

This is a geographically flexible recruitment, in line with the objectives of the position; an appropriate duty station will be allocated from across IUCN’s network of regional and national offices. IUCN recognises the challenges of re-location during the ongoing COVID19 pandemic, and so is flexible to allow a remote work arrangement from an office within the IUCN network.