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Capacity Development and Policy Support Officer

Vacancy #:   5705
Unit:   Ramsar Convention Secretariat
Organisation:   The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar)
Location:   Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands, Gland, Switzerland
Reporting to:   Director, Science and Policy
Work percentage:   100%
Grade:   P1
Expected start date:   01 October 2021
Type of contract:   Indefinite
Closing date:   01 August 2021
BACKGROUND
The Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and sustainable use of wetland biodiversity and services. It was the first of the modern global multilateral environmental agreements and remains the only one devoted to a specific critical ecosystem.

The Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands has its headquarters in Gland, Switzerland where the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), provides some administrative services to the Convention’s Contracting Parties for the operations and implementation of the Convention.

The Secretariat provides scientific, technical and policy advice to the Contracting Parties to the Convention including supporting and facilitating the work of the Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP), the Convention’s subsidiary body charged with preparing scientific and technical reports, reviews, advice and guidelines to support implementation of the Convention.

Under the supervision of the Director Science and Policy, the post-holder’s role is to assist the Secretariat’s engagement in relevant policy processes , provide technical support, contribute to the strengthening science-policy links and support the development and implementation of capacity building activities, contributing towards increasing the relevance of the Convention in the global policy agenda, strengthening capacities of Contracting Parties to implement the Convention, and enhancing the Secretariat’s capacity to support the work of the STRP.
JOB DESCRIPTION
1. Support the Secretariat’s work in strengthening capacities of Contracting Parties to implement the Convention

1.1. Support the development and implementation of a Secretariat plan to strengthen capacities of Contracting Parties, as part of the work plan of the Secretariat, in close collaboration with relevant Secretariat staff including Deputy Secretary General and Senior Advisors.
1.2. Analyse decisions of the Conference of Parties and Standing Committee, recommendations arising from STRP and the Oversight Panel of the Programme on communication, capacity building, education, participation and awareness (CEPA), and other documents, to ensure that the Secretariat responds to the capacity needs of Parties and the governing and subsidiary bodies of the Convention.
1.3. Plan and facilitate the implementation of capacity building needs assessments.
1.4. Provide technical advice and support towards relevant activities of the Secretariat.
1.5. Identify opportunities for and support engagement with relevant stakeholders and partners, including CEPA National Focal Points, STRP National Focal Points, Ramsar Regional Initiatives and Ramsar International Organization Partners.
1.6. Contribute to the preparation of draft proposals, in close liaison with relevant secretariat staff including Resource Mobilization and Partnerships Officer.
1.7. Develop a system for tracking and evaluating impact of capacity building activities provided by the Secretariat.


2. Support the Secretariat’s engagement in relevant international policy processes

2.1. Support the Director, Science and Policy in the coordination of the Secretariat’s policy process engagement and development of related activities.
2.2. Support Secretariat leads in relation to engagement in specific policy processes.
2.3. Monitor and conduct policy research to stay abreast of international policy processes relevant to the implementation of the Secretariat’s work plan.
2.4. Provide support towards identification of opportunities and development of strategies for enhancing the relevance and visibility of the Ramsar Convention, leveraging the convention towards achievement of relevant international development goals and targets.
2.5. Contribute to strengthening science-policy links, including by leveraging STRP products and experiences of Contracting Parties, and contributing to making STRP products policy relevant.
2.6. Review information and documents to support preparation for meetings and other Secretariat engagement in relevant policy processes.
2.7. Undertake policy analysis on assigned topics.
2.8. Draft documents, statements and other inputs.


3. Administrative and logistical support

3.1. Provide administrative and logistical support in relation to the work of the Science Policy Unit and STRP.
3.2. Facilitate participation of STRP Chair and, as relevant, STRP members at meetings of the Conference of Parties, Standing Committee and other meeting, where needed.
3.3. Prepare and manage contracts with consultants and partners for the development of technical, policy and capacity building materials and other activities.
3.4. Assist in the scheduling and implementation of capacity building activities.
3.5. Provide administrative and logistical support as needed in relation to the Secretariat’s engagement in policy processes.


4. Other Secretariat support

4.1. Support the preparation for and running of meetings of the Convention’s governing and subsidiary bodies, including Conference of the Parties, Standing Committee and Scientific and Technical Review Panel
4.3. Support the development of factsheets, briefs, statements and other relevant material, including liaison and where relevant coordination within the Secretariat.
4.4. Represent the Ramsar Secretariat at relevant meetings.


5. Undertake other duties as required.
REQUIREMENTS
  • A commitment to nature conservation and sustainable use;

• A minimum of two years relevant professional experience related to wetlands and/or biodiversity conservation, preferably in a governmental or intergovernmental context;

• A university degree (preferably post graduate degree) in a relevant field;

• Demonstrated understanding of the scientific issues pertaining to sustainable development, conservation, and wise use of wetlands;

• Experience in policy analysis and formulation, and in influencing policy objectives in areas related to the Convention, including in Multilateral Environmental Agreements (e.g. Conventions on Biological Diversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Migratory Species, World Heritage) and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda;

• Good understanding of the requirements of an intergovernmental setting and demonstrated ability to liaise and engage with governmental, non-governmental and other actors;

• Demonstrated ability to plan and take action while keeping focused on priorities;

• Proven communications skills (oral and written) and ability to work with full fluency in spoken and written English; knowledge of either French and/ or Spanish is an advantage;

• Experience in maintaining and nurturing expert networks with demonstrated ability to handle politically and culturally sensitive issues;

• Ability and willingness to contribute to a positive work environment that facilitates collaboration and information sharing;

• Awareness and understanding of cultural diversity and gender issues and commitment to incorporate these in their work and in the relations with the Ramsar Convention’s constituency.
SALARY
The gross annual salary for this position is between CHF 86'330 and CHF 107'913. While this is an indicative amount effective as of the current date, changes may occur as per IUCN's compensation practices without prior notice. The same applies to other organisations hosted by IUCN.
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/


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