Protected Areas Officer, BIOPAMA
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BACKGROUND
Project description
The project is a follow-up to the BIOPAMA I programme (2011-2016); thus representing a second phase of this programme. Protected Areas (PA) and the landscapes within which they are located have a central role to play in preserving the biodiversity and ecosystem services that the majority of rural communities depend on for sustainable livelihoods. However protected areas, particularly in developing nations, are underperforming for many reasons, notably lack of resources, lack of political support, limited capacity to address conservation and development challenges, insufficient support from local communities, and insufficient up-to-date information for good policy and decision making.
The overall aim of the project is to contribute to improving the long-term conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and natural resources in Africa, Caribbean and Pacific ACP regions in protected areas (PA) and surrounding communities. The project will continue to build institutional and technical capacity at the regional, national and site levels for improved PA and biodiversity management with access to and application of data and information related to biodiversity and PA management and governance being used to inform and strengthen policy decisions and management actions. These actions are structured around the work of a series of Regional Observatories (RO) for protected areas across the ACP, managed by regional institutions, and housing Regional Reference Information Systems (RRIS) with tools and services that stakeholders can use to monitor and report on the status of biodiversity and PAs. In the Pacific region, the observatory is hosted by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP).
The project also implements an Action Component which comprises a substantially funded and high profile grants program to support specific actions on the ground in priority conservation landscapes that are aimed at strengthening PA and natural resource management effectiveness and governance. The Action Component involves the implementation of a comprehensive portfolio of small to medium sized grants.
The project is a follow-up to the BIOPAMA I programme (2011-2016); thus representing a second phase of this programme. Protected Areas (PA) and the landscapes within which they are located have a central role to play in preserving the biodiversity and ecosystem services that the majority of rural communities depend on for sustainable livelihoods. However protected areas, particularly in developing nations, are underperforming for many reasons, notably lack of resources, lack of political support, limited capacity to address conservation and development challenges, insufficient support from local communities, and insufficient up-to-date information for good policy and decision making.
The overall aim of the project is to contribute to improving the long-term conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and natural resources in Africa, Caribbean and Pacific ACP regions in protected areas (PA) and surrounding communities. The project will continue to build institutional and technical capacity at the regional, national and site levels for improved PA and biodiversity management with access to and application of data and information related to biodiversity and PA management and governance being used to inform and strengthen policy decisions and management actions. These actions are structured around the work of a series of Regional Observatories (RO) for protected areas across the ACP, managed by regional institutions, and housing Regional Reference Information Systems (RRIS) with tools and services that stakeholders can use to monitor and report on the status of biodiversity and PAs. In the Pacific region, the observatory is hosted by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP).
The project also implements an Action Component which comprises a substantially funded and high profile grants program to support specific actions on the ground in priority conservation landscapes that are aimed at strengthening PA and natural resource management effectiveness and governance. The Action Component involves the implementation of a comprehensive portfolio of small to medium sized grants.
JOB DESCRIPTION
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Protected Areas Officer will undertake day-to-day administration and supervision responsibilities of the BIOPAMA Action Component that are the responsibility of the IUCN Oceania Regional Office and in close working collaboration with the oversight provided by the IUCN Global BIOPAMA programme.
•Develop a thorough understanding of the BIOPAMA Action Component mechanism.
•Take responsibility for implementing all processes required at regional level for grants management and ensuring that they are delivered in a timely, effective and accurate manner.
•In line with the guidance contained in the Description of the Action for BIOPAMA II, develop regional action investment priorities using appropriate management and governance assessment tools and the desired outcomes established in regional and national strategies, action plans and roadmaps.
•Plan and undertake regular communication with other members of the Action Component global team - reviewers, finance and contract personnel and provide relevant updates periodically.
•Provide guidance to the global team on regionally tailored approaches for an effective communication program to promote and explain the grant mechanism opportunity to stakeholders across the ACP region.
•Work effectively with the BIOPAMA global team to deliver regional BIOPAMA communication products and communicate results.
•Work closely with IUCN ORO Financial Team to manage the regional level project budget and expenditure authorizations in accordance with IUCN’s financial management systems and procedures.
•Provide regular technical advice to the Protected Areas Coordinator, BIOPAMA and assist in work planning and the preparation of reports.
•Identify key regional and national networks and organizations and develop and maintain contact lists and liaison.
•Establish and oversee a Regional grants review team that provides advice to the Global review level.
•Contribute regional support to the processes for solicitation, review and evaluation of proposals in consultation with other members of the Action Component global team.
•Provide advice on due diligence assessments and screening of applicants in consultation with the global team.
•Liaise with applicants on the outcomes of their proposal submissions.
•As necessary, provide direct technical support for capacity building, particularly of local-level civil society organizations and mentor applicants and grantees through aspects of grant management, from the initial proposal design and submission process, to assisting with project monitoring and evaluation.
•Convene meetings and workshops to enable information sharing, capacity building and exchange between grantees and other stakeholders
•Manage the submission of technical and financial reports from grantees, and verify completion of products, deliverables, and short-term impacts by grantees in order to review the efficiency and efficacy of project implementation.
•Monitor performance through communication with grantees and through site visits where appropriate.
•Ensure close synergies between the grants programme and SPREPs roles in BIOPAMA particularly in regard to management effectiveness assessments and activities that will improve the quality of baseline PA information and ensure that relevant information derived from grant projects is accessible to the regional observatory at SPREP.
•Ensure that the EU Pacific desk, the regional ACP secretariat and IUCN commissions and membership are kept suitably engaged and informed.
•Contribute to project publicity, promotion, updates and knowledge products suitably branded and attributed.
•Support the Protected Areas Coordinator as required through engagement on regional network groups, task forces and committees; representing IUCN and BIOPAMA at relevant fora, meetings and workshops at all levels; contribution to IUCN ORO programme planning forums, advisory committees and, project reviews.
•Contribute to information sharing, lessons learning and documentation of project and programme experiences.
•Perform other duties as may be assigned,
The Protected Areas Officer will undertake day-to-day administration and supervision responsibilities of the BIOPAMA Action Component that are the responsibility of the IUCN Oceania Regional Office and in close working collaboration with the oversight provided by the IUCN Global BIOPAMA programme.
•Develop a thorough understanding of the BIOPAMA Action Component mechanism.
•Take responsibility for implementing all processes required at regional level for grants management and ensuring that they are delivered in a timely, effective and accurate manner.
•In line with the guidance contained in the Description of the Action for BIOPAMA II, develop regional action investment priorities using appropriate management and governance assessment tools and the desired outcomes established in regional and national strategies, action plans and roadmaps.
•Plan and undertake regular communication with other members of the Action Component global team - reviewers, finance and contract personnel and provide relevant updates periodically.
•Provide guidance to the global team on regionally tailored approaches for an effective communication program to promote and explain the grant mechanism opportunity to stakeholders across the ACP region.
•Work effectively with the BIOPAMA global team to deliver regional BIOPAMA communication products and communicate results.
•Work closely with IUCN ORO Financial Team to manage the regional level project budget and expenditure authorizations in accordance with IUCN’s financial management systems and procedures.
•Provide regular technical advice to the Protected Areas Coordinator, BIOPAMA and assist in work planning and the preparation of reports.
•Identify key regional and national networks and organizations and develop and maintain contact lists and liaison.
•Establish and oversee a Regional grants review team that provides advice to the Global review level.
•Contribute regional support to the processes for solicitation, review and evaluation of proposals in consultation with other members of the Action Component global team.
•Provide advice on due diligence assessments and screening of applicants in consultation with the global team.
•Liaise with applicants on the outcomes of their proposal submissions.
•As necessary, provide direct technical support for capacity building, particularly of local-level civil society organizations and mentor applicants and grantees through aspects of grant management, from the initial proposal design and submission process, to assisting with project monitoring and evaluation.
•Convene meetings and workshops to enable information sharing, capacity building and exchange between grantees and other stakeholders
•Manage the submission of technical and financial reports from grantees, and verify completion of products, deliverables, and short-term impacts by grantees in order to review the efficiency and efficacy of project implementation.
•Monitor performance through communication with grantees and through site visits where appropriate.
•Ensure close synergies between the grants programme and SPREPs roles in BIOPAMA particularly in regard to management effectiveness assessments and activities that will improve the quality of baseline PA information and ensure that relevant information derived from grant projects is accessible to the regional observatory at SPREP.
•Ensure that the EU Pacific desk, the regional ACP secretariat and IUCN commissions and membership are kept suitably engaged and informed.
•Contribute to project publicity, promotion, updates and knowledge products suitably branded and attributed.
•Support the Protected Areas Coordinator as required through engagement on regional network groups, task forces and committees; representing IUCN and BIOPAMA at relevant fora, meetings and workshops at all levels; contribution to IUCN ORO programme planning forums, advisory committees and, project reviews.
•Contribute to information sharing, lessons learning and documentation of project and programme experiences.
•Perform other duties as may be assigned,
REQUIREMENTS
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• University Degree in Natural Resource Management, Ecology, or a relevant field. An Advanced University Degree in a relevant field highly advantageous. A certificate or diploma in an ecology related discipline accompanied by 7 years’ relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the University Degree requirement • At least 8 years of experience in biodiversity conservation and/or protected areas management, ideally involving terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems, at national and/or regional levels, preferably in the Oceania region • Experience in communicating and collaborating with management agencies, academic institutions and local, national and regional stakeholders to achieve agreed collective outcomes • Proven experience in project administration • Demonstrated experience in capacity building and working as a facilitator or trainer in a multi-cultural setting • Sound English (verbal/written) with excellent communication and presentation skills • Proficient in using office applications (MS Word/Excel/PowerPoint) and other web-based management systems |
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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