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Head of Strategy & Partnerships
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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 wetlands and of wetland biodiversity and services. It is the first of the modern global multilateral environmental agreements and remains the only one devoted to a specific critical ecosystem.
The Convention Secretariat has its headquarters in Gland, Switzerland, where the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) provides some administrative services for the Convention.
The Convention on Wetlands is recognized by the international community as an intergovernmental agreement and its Secretariat is administered by The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Secretariat shares the premises provided by the Government of Switzerland to both IUCN and the Convention, located in Gland. The Ramsar Secretariat is under the authority of the Standing Committee of the Convention and ultimately of its Conference of the Parties.
Legally, Ramsar Secretariat staff, including the Secretary General, are IUCN employees and their contracts are governed by the IUCN Global Human Resources Policy, Expatriate Policy, the Conditions of Service for Switzerland, and Swiss labour law. IUCN does not have the status of an intergovernmental organization under a host country agreement in Switzerland: consequently, IUCN must obtain a Swiss work permit for non-Swiss staff. IUCN and Ramsar staff do not have diplomatic immunity or international civil servant (UN) status.
The Convention Secretariat has its headquarters in Gland, Switzerland, where the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) provides some administrative services for the Convention.
The Convention on Wetlands is recognized by the international community as an intergovernmental agreement and its Secretariat is administered by The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Secretariat shares the premises provided by the Government of Switzerland to both IUCN and the Convention, located in Gland. The Ramsar Secretariat is under the authority of the Standing Committee of the Convention and ultimately of its Conference of the Parties.
Legally, Ramsar Secretariat staff, including the Secretary General, are IUCN employees and their contracts are governed by the IUCN Global Human Resources Policy, Expatriate Policy, the Conditions of Service for Switzerland, and Swiss labour law. IUCN does not have the status of an intergovernmental organization under a host country agreement in Switzerland: consequently, IUCN must obtain a Swiss work permit for non-Swiss staff. IUCN and Ramsar staff do not have diplomatic immunity or international civil servant (UN) status.
JOB DESCRIPTION
1. Partnership development
• To maintain and develop existing partnerships with key Ramsar Partners, and develop new partnerships and strategic alliances, in line with priorities and needs:
- with the UN system;
- with multi-lateral institutions such as the World Bank Group, regional development banks, GEF, EU, OECD, etc.;
- with bilateral institutions such as GIZ, NORAD, SIDA, DFID, AusAid etc.
• To collaborate with the Ramsar Regional, Communication and Education Teams to further the Secretariat’s work and increase the appreciation and the recognition of wetland values with existing and new Ramsar partners.
• To seek by means of such partnerships the development of new areas of action, including programmes/projects related to water services and quality, groundwater governance, agriculture, climate change mitigation and adaptation, tourism development, challenges of urbanization, etc.
• To maintain and develop existing partnerships and broker new collaborative agreements and initiatives between Ramsar and the private sector, foundations and high net worth individuals.
• To collaborate with Ramsar International Organization Partners (IOPs) in the development of a private sector engagement strategy.
• To help improve working relationships, in consultation with the Senior Regional Advisors, with relevant ministries/agencies within the Ramsar Contracting Parties, especially the Ministries of Environment, Water, Agriculture, Planning, Economics and Foreign Affairs.
• To advise and support Ramsar Contracting Parties, CEPA, STRP and the Secretary General in their work with partners and donors.
2. Fundraising
The principal objective of the post is to enhance the overall implementation of the Convention. We seek funding to cover the multi-dimensional needs of wetlands and water. We seek to raise funds for the Secretariat to administer directly, and also to assist countries in gaining access to other funds for wise use of wetlands, through Contracting Parties, NGOs, IOPs, and other MEAs. Specific objectives include:
- To develop, coordinate and implement a global fundraising strategy for the Ramsar Convention. This will require consultation with Contracting Parties in order to prioritize funding requirements and the design of the most efficient network for fundraising, the development of fundraising guidelines, and the building and maintenance of support systems.
- To foster and build relationships with potential funders, of all descriptions, and provide guidance to Secretariat and Parties on how to apply for funds from any relevant source for wetlands and water.
- To increase voluntary financial contributions, and reduce reliance on Secretariat core budget, through both public and private sector sources, including public donations and fundraising through social media.
- To work with our supporters and staff in the regions, in close cooperation with International Organization Partners (IOPs), and advise Administrative Authorities and any others about funding modalities and opportunities for access to funding to meet national and regional funding needs.
- To guide the preparation of fundraising plans, fundraising proposals, and budgets, in consultation with the Ramsar Senior Regional Advisors and Finance Officer.
- To develop a portfolio of projects to submit to foundations, corporate and individual sponsors, in consultation with the Ramsar Contracting Parties and Senior Regional Advisors.
- To provide stewardship for existing fundraising initiatives, such as the Small Grants Funds and Regional Initiatives as well as for the Conference of the Parties (COP).
- To oversee the production and review of Ramsar reports to partners/donors to ensure that they meet individual donor requirements.
3. The above job description contains the main duties and responsibilities for this position. However, in a small organization, such as the Ramsar Secretariat, staff members are expected to be flexible in their approach to work and be willing to undertake other tasks that are reasonably allocated to them but which may not be part of their formal job description. Where any task becomes a regular part of an employee’s responsibilities, the job description will be changed in consultation with the employee and the Secretary General.
SALARY
The gross annual salary for this position is in the range from CHF 132'000 to CHF 165'000, subject to deductions for social security contributions and second-pillar pension, and before tax.
• To maintain and develop existing partnerships with key Ramsar Partners, and develop new partnerships and strategic alliances, in line with priorities and needs:
- with the UN system;
- with multi-lateral institutions such as the World Bank Group, regional development banks, GEF, EU, OECD, etc.;
- with bilateral institutions such as GIZ, NORAD, SIDA, DFID, AusAid etc.
• To collaborate with the Ramsar Regional, Communication and Education Teams to further the Secretariat’s work and increase the appreciation and the recognition of wetland values with existing and new Ramsar partners.
• To seek by means of such partnerships the development of new areas of action, including programmes/projects related to water services and quality, groundwater governance, agriculture, climate change mitigation and adaptation, tourism development, challenges of urbanization, etc.
• To maintain and develop existing partnerships and broker new collaborative agreements and initiatives between Ramsar and the private sector, foundations and high net worth individuals.
• To collaborate with Ramsar International Organization Partners (IOPs) in the development of a private sector engagement strategy.
• To help improve working relationships, in consultation with the Senior Regional Advisors, with relevant ministries/agencies within the Ramsar Contracting Parties, especially the Ministries of Environment, Water, Agriculture, Planning, Economics and Foreign Affairs.
• To advise and support Ramsar Contracting Parties, CEPA, STRP and the Secretary General in their work with partners and donors.
2. Fundraising
The principal objective of the post is to enhance the overall implementation of the Convention. We seek funding to cover the multi-dimensional needs of wetlands and water. We seek to raise funds for the Secretariat to administer directly, and also to assist countries in gaining access to other funds for wise use of wetlands, through Contracting Parties, NGOs, IOPs, and other MEAs. Specific objectives include:
- To develop, coordinate and implement a global fundraising strategy for the Ramsar Convention. This will require consultation with Contracting Parties in order to prioritize funding requirements and the design of the most efficient network for fundraising, the development of fundraising guidelines, and the building and maintenance of support systems.
- To foster and build relationships with potential funders, of all descriptions, and provide guidance to Secretariat and Parties on how to apply for funds from any relevant source for wetlands and water.
- To increase voluntary financial contributions, and reduce reliance on Secretariat core budget, through both public and private sector sources, including public donations and fundraising through social media.
- To work with our supporters and staff in the regions, in close cooperation with International Organization Partners (IOPs), and advise Administrative Authorities and any others about funding modalities and opportunities for access to funding to meet national and regional funding needs.
- To guide the preparation of fundraising plans, fundraising proposals, and budgets, in consultation with the Ramsar Senior Regional Advisors and Finance Officer.
- To develop a portfolio of projects to submit to foundations, corporate and individual sponsors, in consultation with the Ramsar Contracting Parties and Senior Regional Advisors.
- To provide stewardship for existing fundraising initiatives, such as the Small Grants Funds and Regional Initiatives as well as for the Conference of the Parties (COP).
- To oversee the production and review of Ramsar reports to partners/donors to ensure that they meet individual donor requirements.
3. The above job description contains the main duties and responsibilities for this position. However, in a small organization, such as the Ramsar Secretariat, staff members are expected to be flexible in their approach to work and be willing to undertake other tasks that are reasonably allocated to them but which may not be part of their formal job description. Where any task becomes a regular part of an employee’s responsibilities, the job description will be changed in consultation with the employee and the Secretary General.
SALARY
The gross annual salary for this position is in the range from CHF 132'000 to CHF 165'000, subject to deductions for social security contributions and second-pillar pension, and before tax.
REQUIREMENTS
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• The key qualities required are awareness of global challenges, skills and commitment to the conservation and sustainable use of the environment, with a focus on wetlands. • A university degree (preferably post graduate degree) or an equivalent demonstrated knowledge in at least one subject related to wetland conservation and wise use such as economics, business administration, geography, biology, hydrology, water resource management, marine sciences, natural resources management, or land-use planning. • A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience with evidence of achievements in the area of partnership and fundraising. • Familiarity with the UN agencies, other MEAs, major multilateral and bilateral donors and the private sector in the areas of partnership and fundraising activities. • Demonstrated capacity for effective communication (oral and written) and selling/marketing skills. Ability to liaise, establish and maintain good working relationships with key partners. • Demonstrated ability to build a complex network of relevant relationships across governmental, non-governmental, environmental and public sectors, and to creatively explore and match their various requirements. • Demonstrated capacity for innovative and creative initiatives, together with strategic thinking and ability to provide leadershipfor a team and advice to the Secretary General and colleagues. • Strong organizational skills and good project management experience. Ability to prioritize and work both with limited supervision and in multidisciplinary teams to contribute to a common goal. • Well developed computer skills and ability to perform the duties described above in a fairly independent manner, with limited assistance from support staff. • Good understanding of world current affairs, especially in the areas of resource allocation. Appreciation of regional, national and local challenges in a culturally and environmentally diverse world. • Ability to work independently, with a team spirit and contributing to a common goal. • Ability to work with full fluency in spoken and written English; knowledge of either French and/ or Spanish is an advantage. • Willingness to adhere to the Ramsar Convention’s values and the working customs of its Secretariat. |
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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