Senior Programme Officer, Global Drylands Initiative
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BACKGROUND
JOB DESCRIPTION
The principle roles of the Senior Programme Officer (SPO) are to lead the technical implementation of project activities in the field, including rangeland assessments and policy dialogue, to refine rangeland assessment methodologies and participatory approaches, and to ensure their alignment with the GDI programme strategy and IUCN’s wider programme.
The SPO will support collaboration with regions and global thematic programmes and with IUCN Commissions in order to assist the growth of the drylands portfolio. S/he will support the development of strategic external partnerships and fund raising, will represent IUCN and the GDI in external events and policy dialogue, and will lead in selected areas of programme learning, knowledge sharing and communication.
7.1. Implement project activities in the field
a. Implement IUCN’s participatory rangeland assessment methodology in agreed countries in partnership with IUCN country offices, partner organisations and other experts;
b. Implement participatory Community Rangeland Management in agreed countries in partnership with IUCN country offices and partners;
c. Train IUCN staff and partners in participatory approaches and other IUCN tools and methodologies;
d. Lead policy dialogue and advocacy events organised through field based GDI projects, and contribute to the global policy dialogue of GDI, for example at UNCCD fora;
e. Capture and document lessons from project activities in order to refine methodologies and approaches, and to ensure their alignment with the GDI programme strategy and IUCN’s wider programme;
f. Lead the development of agreed publications and project communications.
7.2. Support project managers to effectively manage their projects
a. Assist project managers to develop strategic and operational work plans for the delivery of projects;
b. Ensure effective internal communication on all project-related activities, including project representation and field work;
c. Provide appropriate input to monitoring and evaluation of project activities, including development of monitoring plans and capturing and storage of project data and lessons;
d. Supervise project managers to prepare high quality project progress reports.
7.3. Collaborate with country and regional programmes and with IUCN Commissions in order to support growth of the drylands portfolio
a. Maintain positive working relationships with IUCN regional and country programmes and other global thematic programmes (as relevant) to ensure smooth delivery of project activities and to maintain a spirit of collaboration on drylands issues;
b. Provide technical support, as agreed with the GDI coordinator, to country and regional programmes to develop funding proposals;
c. Collaborate with IUCN Commissions, in agreement with the GDI coordinator, for delivery of project activities (e.g. rangeland assessments) and for capturing lessons and engaging in policy dialogue.
7.4. Represent IUCN and the GDI in external events and policy dialogue
a. Effectively represent IUCN’s global programme, and specifically the Global Drylands Strategy, in external events under the direction of the GDI coordinator;
b. Provide input to external events to influence dialogue, through presentations, speeches and interventions in plenary;
c. Maintain a current understanding of negotiations at the UNCCD on key issues and IUCN’s position in relation to those issues;
d. Monitor other globally important issues (e.g. climate change & biodiversity loss) to identify emerging issues, threats and opportunities for the drylands programme.
7.5. Support the development of strategic external partnerships and fund raising
a. Take advantage of external events to develop networks and to identify potential partnerships for fund raising, for collaboration, and for learning and advocacy;
b. Identify new and strategically relevant funding opportunities and agree with colleagues over prioritisation of fund raising;
c. Take the lead in developing at least 2 agreed funding proposals per year, ensuring where possible the participation of IUCN constituencies;
d. Maintain a strong understanding and ownership of the GDI strategy and provide regular input to strengthening and monitoring of the strategy.
7.6. Lead in selected areas of programme learning, knowledge sharing and communication.
a. Collaborate with the GDI team to identify priority areas for learning, including on emerging issues;
b. Take the lead on agreed issues to produce relevant learning documents, including short memos (e.g. for rapid updates on emerging issues), internal reports and external publications;
c. Draw on the expertise of commissions and other partners to ensure learning products are state of the art, highly relevant, and accurate;
d. Publish, or contribute to publication of, at least one peer reviewed paper per year.
7.7. Comply with IUCN policies, procedures and positions
a. Understand and comply with IUCN policies and procedures in all aspects of work;
b. Comply with project agreements, project documents (e.g. contracts, MOUs, PAIAs etc.), annual work plans and budgets in the delivery of assigned projects and activities;
c. Ensure that all project activities delivered meet the quality required by IUCN and project partners;
d. Follow all procedures in project development and ensure adherence with environmental and social safeguards and other IUCN policies.
7.8. Other duties
a. Carry out other relevant tasks assigned by, and mutually agreed with, the line manager.
The SPO will support collaboration with regions and global thematic programmes and with IUCN Commissions in order to assist the growth of the drylands portfolio. S/he will support the development of strategic external partnerships and fund raising, will represent IUCN and the GDI in external events and policy dialogue, and will lead in selected areas of programme learning, knowledge sharing and communication.
7.1. Implement project activities in the field
a. Implement IUCN’s participatory rangeland assessment methodology in agreed countries in partnership with IUCN country offices, partner organisations and other experts;
b. Implement participatory Community Rangeland Management in agreed countries in partnership with IUCN country offices and partners;
c. Train IUCN staff and partners in participatory approaches and other IUCN tools and methodologies;
d. Lead policy dialogue and advocacy events organised through field based GDI projects, and contribute to the global policy dialogue of GDI, for example at UNCCD fora;
e. Capture and document lessons from project activities in order to refine methodologies and approaches, and to ensure their alignment with the GDI programme strategy and IUCN’s wider programme;
f. Lead the development of agreed publications and project communications.
7.2. Support project managers to effectively manage their projects
a. Assist project managers to develop strategic and operational work plans for the delivery of projects;
b. Ensure effective internal communication on all project-related activities, including project representation and field work;
c. Provide appropriate input to monitoring and evaluation of project activities, including development of monitoring plans and capturing and storage of project data and lessons;
d. Supervise project managers to prepare high quality project progress reports.
7.3. Collaborate with country and regional programmes and with IUCN Commissions in order to support growth of the drylands portfolio
a. Maintain positive working relationships with IUCN regional and country programmes and other global thematic programmes (as relevant) to ensure smooth delivery of project activities and to maintain a spirit of collaboration on drylands issues;
b. Provide technical support, as agreed with the GDI coordinator, to country and regional programmes to develop funding proposals;
c. Collaborate with IUCN Commissions, in agreement with the GDI coordinator, for delivery of project activities (e.g. rangeland assessments) and for capturing lessons and engaging in policy dialogue.
7.4. Represent IUCN and the GDI in external events and policy dialogue
a. Effectively represent IUCN’s global programme, and specifically the Global Drylands Strategy, in external events under the direction of the GDI coordinator;
b. Provide input to external events to influence dialogue, through presentations, speeches and interventions in plenary;
c. Maintain a current understanding of negotiations at the UNCCD on key issues and IUCN’s position in relation to those issues;
d. Monitor other globally important issues (e.g. climate change & biodiversity loss) to identify emerging issues, threats and opportunities for the drylands programme.
7.5. Support the development of strategic external partnerships and fund raising
a. Take advantage of external events to develop networks and to identify potential partnerships for fund raising, for collaboration, and for learning and advocacy;
b. Identify new and strategically relevant funding opportunities and agree with colleagues over prioritisation of fund raising;
c. Take the lead in developing at least 2 agreed funding proposals per year, ensuring where possible the participation of IUCN constituencies;
d. Maintain a strong understanding and ownership of the GDI strategy and provide regular input to strengthening and monitoring of the strategy.
7.6. Lead in selected areas of programme learning, knowledge sharing and communication.
a. Collaborate with the GDI team to identify priority areas for learning, including on emerging issues;
b. Take the lead on agreed issues to produce relevant learning documents, including short memos (e.g. for rapid updates on emerging issues), internal reports and external publications;
c. Draw on the expertise of commissions and other partners to ensure learning products are state of the art, highly relevant, and accurate;
d. Publish, or contribute to publication of, at least one peer reviewed paper per year.
7.7. Comply with IUCN policies, procedures and positions
a. Understand and comply with IUCN policies and procedures in all aspects of work;
b. Comply with project agreements, project documents (e.g. contracts, MOUs, PAIAs etc.), annual work plans and budgets in the delivery of assigned projects and activities;
c. Ensure that all project activities delivered meet the quality required by IUCN and project partners;
d. Follow all procedures in project development and ensure adherence with environmental and social safeguards and other IUCN policies.
7.8. Other duties
a. Carry out other relevant tasks assigned by, and mutually agreed with, the line manager.
REQUIREMENTS
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• A Masters Degree in Natural Resource Management, or its equivalent, with a specialization in drylands, rangelands or a related field; • At least 8 years’ work experience in managing and coordinating projects, primarily in the conservation or sustainable development field, in more than one country; • Proven ability in fundraising and resource mobilization; • Proven experience in participatory natural resource management; • Experience in natural resource assessment and rangeland assessment; • Proven ability to organize and facilitate multi-stakeholder participatory processes; • Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical reports and non-technical communications within tight deadlines; • Demonstrated capacity to work in a multi-disciplinary and multi-partner environment; • Strong networking and communication skills and ability to work with different partners and stakeholders; • Fluency in spoken and written English, working knowledge of French or Spanish desirable; • Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office package and internet; • Adheres to IUCN ESARO core values of Transparency, Inclusiveness, Professionalism and Accountability; • Excellent interpersonal skills and a strong team player with proven communication and diplomacy with the ability to work effectively with multicultural and multidisciplinary teams with sensitivity and respect for diversity; • Highly motivated and results-oriented individual; • Demonstrated ability to work with limited supervision to prioritize tasking and manage workflow in a high pressure environment; • Must be a proactive individual who is able to energize and motivate teams; • Committed to continuous learning and proactive and mature attitude towards self-development; • Be willing to undertake frequent travel (approx. 40% of their time). |
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.
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