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Scientific and Technical Officer

Vacancy #:   5817
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:   P2
Expected start date:   01 January 2022
Type of contract:   Max-term (24 months)
Closing date:   12 December 2021 (extended)
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, also known as the “Ramsar Convention” from the name of the city in Iran where it was signed in 1971, 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 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. The STRP’s work is guided by modus operandi adopted in COP Resolution XII.5. Its current priority work themes for the 2019-2021 period were adopted in Resolution XIII.8.

Under the supervision of the Director Science and Policy, the post-holder’s role is to manage the STRP processes, providing technical support to the work of the STRP and coordination support in development and implementation of its workplan. This position also provides advice on specific policy matters in the work plan of the Secretariat.
JOB DESCRIPTION
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Manage the STRP processes
1.1. Coordinate the nomination and selection process of STRP members per the terms of Resolution XII.5.
1.2. Coordinate the organization and running of yearly STRP meetings, workshops and other meetings, including preparation of meeting documents and meeting logistics.
1.3. Act as a liaison between the Secretariat and STRP members, observers and STRP National Focal Points regarding the work of the STRP.
1.4. Ensure engagement of STRP National Focal Points in the work of the STRP.
1.5. Facilitate communications through the STRP workspace and by email or other electronic means, maintaining up to date STRP contact lists.
1.6. Compile updates on the work of the STRP suitable for outreach, including through web and social media.

2. Facilitate development and delivery of the STRP triennial work plan
2.1. Coordinate the consultation process for preparation of the draft STRP work plan.
2.2. Support task leads to coordinate with STRP members in the preparation of outputs.
2.3. Prepare and manage contracts with consultants for the drafting of STRP outputs, as needed.
2.4. Liaise closely with task leads to ensure drafts are complete and submitted in accordance with established timelines as well as applicable guidance.
2.5. Review draft materials and provide technical inputs, as appropriate.
2.6. Engage relevant members of the Secretariat in the support provided to the STRP, including in particular review of deliverables, ensuring a whole-of-Secretariat approach.
2.7. Coordinate the process for peer review of STRP deliverables.
2.8. Manage the editorial and production process for STRP deliverables, in close liaison with relevant Secretariat staff.
2.9. Liaise with and support the communications team in relation to dissemination of STRP outputs.

3. Support the engagement of the STRP in meetings of Convention governing bodies as well as other relevant international processes
3.1. Work with the STRP Chair and Director, Science and Policy in the development and submission of documents to meetings of the Standing Committee and Conference of Parties.
3.2. Support the preparation for meetings of the Management Working Group and, where relevant, other working groups.
3.3. In close coordination with relevant members of the Secretariat, support the STRP Chair in relation to participation in and inputs to relevant meetings, such as the meeting of Chairs of Scientific Advisory Bodies of Biodiversity-related Conventions and the Multidisciplinary Expert Panel of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).

4. Science and policy outreach
4.1. Undertake policy analysis relating to the scientific and technical priorities of the Convention and prepare draft reports, statements and other documents.
4.2. Identify and develop synergies with relevant entities, in accordance with the workplan of the Secretariat, including but not limited to governing and subsidiary bodies of other Multilateral Environmental Agreements, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as well as Ramsar International Organization Partners in relation to the scientific and technical priorities of the Convention.
4.3. Coordinate preparation and submission of input from the Secretariat to relevant international processes.
4.4. Support the development of capacity building tools and activities in the context of Secretariat capacity building plan, as part of the annual workplan, building on the work of and addressing the needs of the STRP.

5. Other Secretariat support
5.1. Support the governance process and key functions of the Secretariat, in particular preparation for meetings of the Standing Committee and Conference of Parties as well as other meetings.
5.2. Advise and assist relevant Secretariat staff on scientific and technical matters.
5.3. Represent the Ramsar Secretariat at relevant meetings.

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

• Advanced degree in an area related to environmental science, conservation and sustainable development or related policy;

• Minimum of seven years of professional experience in conservation-related activities, including experience working with international organizations and familiarity with multilateral environmental agreements and the work of convention secretariats;

• Excellent knowledge of the conservation-related scientific literature and experience writing scientific publications;

• Experience in maintaining and nurturing expert networks;

• Experience in convening scientific and technical workshops, meetings, and conferences;

• Demonstrated ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment with co-workers located on and off site;

• Strong interpersonal skills and capacity to work collaboratively within a team of experts;

• Strong problem analysis and solving skills;

• Ability to handle politically and culturally sensitive issues;

• 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;

• 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 100'355 and CHF 125'444. 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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