The IUCN Global Species Programme (GSP) is based at IUCN Headquarters in Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. GSP provides vital links for the Union and its members to all the IUCN activities that deal with Species conservation issues, including projects and initiatives of the Regional Offices and the IUCN Species Survival Commission. Its co-ordination role is above and beyond the policy development and thematic guidance that it undertakes to assist governments, communities and NGOs alike. The IUCN Global Species Programme, in conjunction with the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and partners, are driving the fight to save species for people and nature through many initiatives.
The IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC), a science-based network of more than 10,000 volunteer experts from almost every country of the world, and the IUCN Secretariat’s Global Species Programme (GSP) work closely together sharing the same vision, strategic plan and programme of work. Most members are deployed in more than 140 Specialist Groups, Red List Authorities, Task Forces and Sub-Committees supported by the SSC Chair’s office staff and the GSP.
SSC’s major role is to provide information to IUCN on biodiversity conservation, the inherent value of species, their role in ecosystem health and functioning, the provision of ecosystem services, and their support to human livelihoods. This information is fed into The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, which is produced, maintained and managed by the IUCN Global Species Programme with all GSP staff supporting the IUCN Red List in some way or another. SSC members also provide scientific advice to conservation organisations, government agencies and other IUCN Members, and support the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements, such as the CBD, CITES and CMS. The SSC Network Support Officer position will take a prominent role in the support of Species Survival Commission for GSP.
This position involves providing technical support and contributing to the joint programmatic work of the Global Species & KBA Programme and the Species Survival Commission.

1. Support the Species Survival Commission (SSC) network including work carried out jointly by SSC and the Global Species Programme (GSP)- 30%

• Support the SSC network and help oversee IUCN Species Programme interactions with SSC Specialist Groups, Task Forces, Stand-alone RLAs and Conservation Committees;
• Facilitate regular communication with Specialist Group Chairs;
• Assist the SSC Chair’s office with re-appointment of Chairs at each new IUCN quadrennium (assisting the SSC Chair in the review process for the re-appointments and discussing issues regarding the management of Specialist Groups);
• Assist with queries from the SSC Network, acting as the “connector” to bring the right people together and seeking out solutions to help solve problems;
• Coordinate Specialist Groups, Task Forces, Stand-alone RLAs and Conservation Committees input into Species Programme work;
• Strengthen the joint work of the SSC and GSP by supporting coordinating the management of contracts and budgets of Specialist Groups, Task Forces, Stand-alone RLAs and Conservation Committees projects in association with the Global Programme Operation Unit (GPOU) and the Commission Support Unit;
• Assist in bringing knowledge, expertise and advice from the SSC Network to other component programmes of IUCN;
• Provide assistance with general requests to the Global Species Programme;
• Assist with the production of the Species Annual Report.

2. Supporting the IUCN’s Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) work – 40%

• Support the development of IUCN’s work to implement the KBA Programme through the development of projects to document and protect KBAs;
• Work in close association with GSP staff, SSC members, IUCN Regional offices, KBA Partner organisations and other IUCN to develop and support priority KBA projects;
• Work closely with the KBA Secretariat to support the implementation and further development of the IUCN’s KBA work through and with the KBA Partnership;
• Provide training in workshops and via other means on KBAs.

3. Programme development and fundraising- 20%

• Work in close collaboration with the SSC Network Coordinator to assist with the development of project / funding proposals for Specialist Group activities with relevant specialist groups;
• Support SSC work on Key Biodiversity Areas through the development of funding proposals for KBAs in association with SSC and IUCN Regional Offices;
• Fundraise for other GSP and SSC priorities outlined in the Species Strategic Plan;
• Manage project budgets and produce financial and technical reports in association with Global Programme Operation Unit.

4. Policy work and representational duties – 10%

• Support IUCN’s work on engagement with policy mechanisms, including the CBD to advance the implementation of the KBA Programme;
• Brief SGs on meetings, assist with interventions, coordinate SG input and expertise into the various policy mechanisms;
• Support of the Head of Delegation at policy meetings;
• Represent IUCN Global Species & KBA Programme at conferences and meetings;
• Participate in the IUCN delegation at major policy meetings as appropriate to ensure provision of SSC experts’ knowledge and advice;
• Present the work of the Global Species & KBA Programme and SSC at meetings as appropriate.