Project Officer
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BACKGROUND
The position will be based in Mauritius.
The project DCI-ENV/2011/221-660 "Preparation and testing of a comprehensive model for preventing and managing the spread of invasive species on island ecosystems" has been prepared to address the need for globally-relevant guidance for the prevention and management of invasive alien species on islands around the world. The project aims to build on the work carried out by programmes and projects around the world over the last two decades on prevention, containment, eradication and strategic management of invading species as well as legal and policy formulations and apply this to the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) islands.
The Overall Objective of the project is to reduce the spread and impact of biological invasions on people and biodiversity of islands.
The Specific Objective is to enhance the systems and strategies in the Small Island Developing States and in particular those in the Western Indian Ocean region, to efficiently prevent and manage biological invasions. The intended output will be global guidance of relevance to main island groups around the world whilst the main effort of capacity building and ecosystem management is to be carried out in the WIO.
To achieve the Specific Objective, four complementary results were defined:
Result 1: Knowledge – Increased knowledge, awareness and expertise on the successful prevention and management of the spread of biological invasions on islands
Result 2: Partnerships – Partnerships developed, established or strengthened to enhance collaborative management of biological invasions on islands and island states between countries, governments and non-governmental bodies
Result 3: Management – Prevention and management of biological invasions improved in selected pilot sites as indicators of good general practice
Result 4: Strategies – Strategies to strengthen national, regional and global policies and actions to better prevent and manage biological invasions on islands developed and agreed upon.
The project DCI-ENV/2011/221-660 "Preparation and testing of a comprehensive model for preventing and managing the spread of invasive species on island ecosystems" has been prepared to address the need for globally-relevant guidance for the prevention and management of invasive alien species on islands around the world. The project aims to build on the work carried out by programmes and projects around the world over the last two decades on prevention, containment, eradication and strategic management of invading species as well as legal and policy formulations and apply this to the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) islands.
The Overall Objective of the project is to reduce the spread and impact of biological invasions on people and biodiversity of islands.
The Specific Objective is to enhance the systems and strategies in the Small Island Developing States and in particular those in the Western Indian Ocean region, to efficiently prevent and manage biological invasions. The intended output will be global guidance of relevance to main island groups around the world whilst the main effort of capacity building and ecosystem management is to be carried out in the WIO.
To achieve the Specific Objective, four complementary results were defined:
Result 1: Knowledge – Increased knowledge, awareness and expertise on the successful prevention and management of the spread of biological invasions on islands
Result 2: Partnerships – Partnerships developed, established or strengthened to enhance collaborative management of biological invasions on islands and island states between countries, governments and non-governmental bodies
Result 3: Management – Prevention and management of biological invasions improved in selected pilot sites as indicators of good general practice
Result 4: Strategies – Strategies to strengthen national, regional and global policies and actions to better prevent and manage biological invasions on islands developed and agreed upon.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Project Officer position based in Mauritius is a 100% position to be Technical Advisor to the project and manage the project on a day-to-day basis. The Project officer is responsible for technical reporting, planning project activities (including local, regional and global meetings) and ensuring that work plans are implemented strictly on time. The Project Officer will also provide technical support on a range of islands and invasive issues and training (capacity building) - reducing the need for external consultants as well as manage the production of donor reports.
Specific Duties:
1. Manage and provide technical support to the project DCI-ENV/2011/221-660 "Preparation and testing of a comprehensive model for preventing and managing the spread of invasive species on island ecosystems".
2. Plan, organize and execute the pilot interventions together with the partners, as well as support further initiatives in the Western Indian Ocean and the EU outermost territories (such as building synergies with the IOC Biodiversity project funded by the European Commission as well). This includes the following activities:
a. Finalize the agreements for the pilot interventions in Comoros and in Rodrigues.
b. Support the implementing partners in Comoros and in Rodrigues by providing technical support and mentoring.
c. Organize in the margin of the pilot sites interventions, field workshops to share lessons learnt and best practices and to enhance capacity building of field practitioners combatting invasive species in WIO islands.
d. Organize regional workshops on Biosecurity in Seychelles (and maybe other islands of the WIO) aimed at the realization of the original objectives of the pilot site interventions in the WIO islands and data gathering that was expected to provide new insights into the processes and responses needed to complete the Manual for Prevention and Management of Biological Invasions in Islands (e.g. such as the production of shared best practices not only from the Pacific but also from the WIO islands, useful guides, regional checklist of worst IAS; recommendations for the country members of the IOC.)
3. Strengthen the Western Indian Ocean Network on Invasive Species (WIONIS) with the support of the Steering Committee of the project, the local partners and the IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group:
a. One WIONIS network meeting per year (2015, 2016, 2017), each time preceded by a meeting of the Steering Committee of the project.
b. Develop of a strategy and action plan for the WIONIS network. The ISSG in-depth knowledge of Pacific Invasive Learning Network will be useful to this process.
c. Identify the risk of invasive species for each targeted countries/Islands and prioritize this risk for action/control.
d. Increase the engagement of decision-makers through awareness raising activities for decision-makers (e.g.: design and development of information modules for decision-makers, Invasives Species Camp linked to pilot interventions, etc.).
e. Increase the capacity to manage Invasive Plant Species for partners in the WIO (e.g.: through the adaption of the PII’s Invasive Plant Management Training Course and accompanying Resource Kit for Invasive Plant Management)
4. Coordinate the writing and finalization of the Manual for Prevention and Management of Biological Invasions in Islands.
5. Internal communications: Maintain strong relationships between the Global Species Programme (GSP), the Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO), the IUCN SSC Invasive Species SG and other IUCN’s regional and country offices when needed.
6. External communications and representational duties: Collaborate with relevant staff on IUCN communication products: including writing, editing and helping with web stories, fact sheets, publications and other media requests; represent GSP and SSC at major conferences and meetings relevant for the project; meet with potential donors and maintain good relations with existing donors.
7. Undertake fundraising with bilateral and multilateral donors and foundations with a specific focus on obtaining co-funding for the project DCI-ENV/2011/221-660 "Preparation and testing of a comprehensive model for preventing and managing the spread of invasive species on island ecosystems" (fundraising target of 400’000 Euro).
8. Further develop the IUCN Global Invasive Species Initiative and activities in support of the IUCN 2013-2016 Programme of Work and in close collaboration with the Global Coordinator of the IUCN Global Invasive Species Initiative and the IUCN SSC Invasive Species SG. Make regular progress reports to these key stakeholders, including providing information on any problems encountered during the execution of any aspect of the project.
The above job description contains the main duties and responsibilities for this position. However, in a small organisation such as IUCN, staff members are expected to show flexibility in their approach to work and be willing to undertake other tasks that are reasonably allocated to them but which are not part of their regular 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 Human Resources Management Group.
Specific Duties:
1. Manage and provide technical support to the project DCI-ENV/2011/221-660 "Preparation and testing of a comprehensive model for preventing and managing the spread of invasive species on island ecosystems".
2. Plan, organize and execute the pilot interventions together with the partners, as well as support further initiatives in the Western Indian Ocean and the EU outermost territories (such as building synergies with the IOC Biodiversity project funded by the European Commission as well). This includes the following activities:
a. Finalize the agreements for the pilot interventions in Comoros and in Rodrigues.
b. Support the implementing partners in Comoros and in Rodrigues by providing technical support and mentoring.
c. Organize in the margin of the pilot sites interventions, field workshops to share lessons learnt and best practices and to enhance capacity building of field practitioners combatting invasive species in WIO islands.
d. Organize regional workshops on Biosecurity in Seychelles (and maybe other islands of the WIO) aimed at the realization of the original objectives of the pilot site interventions in the WIO islands and data gathering that was expected to provide new insights into the processes and responses needed to complete the Manual for Prevention and Management of Biological Invasions in Islands (e.g. such as the production of shared best practices not only from the Pacific but also from the WIO islands, useful guides, regional checklist of worst IAS; recommendations for the country members of the IOC.)
3. Strengthen the Western Indian Ocean Network on Invasive Species (WIONIS) with the support of the Steering Committee of the project, the local partners and the IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group:
a. One WIONIS network meeting per year (2015, 2016, 2017), each time preceded by a meeting of the Steering Committee of the project.
b. Develop of a strategy and action plan for the WIONIS network. The ISSG in-depth knowledge of Pacific Invasive Learning Network will be useful to this process.
c. Identify the risk of invasive species for each targeted countries/Islands and prioritize this risk for action/control.
d. Increase the engagement of decision-makers through awareness raising activities for decision-makers (e.g.: design and development of information modules for decision-makers, Invasives Species Camp linked to pilot interventions, etc.).
e. Increase the capacity to manage Invasive Plant Species for partners in the WIO (e.g.: through the adaption of the PII’s Invasive Plant Management Training Course and accompanying Resource Kit for Invasive Plant Management)
4. Coordinate the writing and finalization of the Manual for Prevention and Management of Biological Invasions in Islands.
5. Internal communications: Maintain strong relationships between the Global Species Programme (GSP), the Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO), the IUCN SSC Invasive Species SG and other IUCN’s regional and country offices when needed.
6. External communications and representational duties: Collaborate with relevant staff on IUCN communication products: including writing, editing and helping with web stories, fact sheets, publications and other media requests; represent GSP and SSC at major conferences and meetings relevant for the project; meet with potential donors and maintain good relations with existing donors.
7. Undertake fundraising with bilateral and multilateral donors and foundations with a specific focus on obtaining co-funding for the project DCI-ENV/2011/221-660 "Preparation and testing of a comprehensive model for preventing and managing the spread of invasive species on island ecosystems" (fundraising target of 400’000 Euro).
8. Further develop the IUCN Global Invasive Species Initiative and activities in support of the IUCN 2013-2016 Programme of Work and in close collaboration with the Global Coordinator of the IUCN Global Invasive Species Initiative and the IUCN SSC Invasive Species SG. Make regular progress reports to these key stakeholders, including providing information on any problems encountered during the execution of any aspect of the project.
The above job description contains the main duties and responsibilities for this position. However, in a small organisation such as IUCN, staff members are expected to show flexibility in their approach to work and be willing to undertake other tasks that are reasonably allocated to them but which are not part of their regular 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 Human Resources Management Group.
REQUIREMENTS
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• At least 10 years' work experience at a professional level. • Master Degree or equivalent in Ecology or Biology. PhD field is an asset. • Demonstrated strong project planning and project management experience, including financial management and monitoring and evaluation, and in formulating and implementing field projects and programmes. • Excellent command of written and spoken English; demonstrated ability for report writing and ability to communicate complicated technical issues to a wide range of audiences and cultures. French language proficiency a very strong asset for this position. • Knowledge and experience of alien invasive species issues • Some knowledge of international policy and experience in development and dissemination of policy prior to and at international meetings • Knowledge and experience of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity, the 20 Aichi Biodiversity targets and biodiversity indicators • Demonstrated fundraising experience and success including development and management of projects; liaising and maintaining relationship with donors of various types; • Ability to take initiative, exercise good judgment, think laterally and resolve complex issues in a dynamic and changing environment. • The ability to explain the work in simple terms with a creative self-reliant approach to communications in developing materials to support the work • Willingness to speak in public, organize and on occasion chair meetings and conference calls, communicate regularly to IUCN stakeholders • Demonstrated writing skills, in particular as regards the need to develop communications and publications. • Deep understanding of, and passion for, biodiversity conservation. • Some knowledge of the knowledge products mobilized through IUCN. • Familiarity with IUCN resolutions, policies, strategic and programme planning documents. • Willing and able to travel internationally on a regular basis. |
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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