World Heritage Conservation Officer
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BACKGROUND
IUCN is the Advisory Body for natural World Heritage sites under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention and has a specific role to play in monitoring and conserving these sites. IUCN is also, as an independent union, engaged directly in supporting the conservation of World Heritage Sites, as these areas are places of globally significant importance for the conservation of nature. The World Heritage Conservation Officer is responsible for leading IUCN’s work on conservation and monitoring, which includes developing knowledge products, policy guidelines and undertaking advocacy and influencing activities for natural World Heritage sites on behalf of IUCN. In addition to coordinating IUCN’s advisory body work on conservation, the role also provides significant input into a key IUCN knowledge product on World Heritage, IUCN World Heritage Outlook, which is intended to track the state of conservation of these exceptional sites over time and to mobilize IUCN’s networks and other partners to support the conservation and effective management of these sites. The incumbent has a role as part of the management team of the World Heritage Programme, and is expected to play a key part in the management and development of the Programme in the long term.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Specifically the World Heritage Conservation Officer is responsible for the following tasks:
• Coordinating IUCN’s work as an Advisory Body to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee on monitoring natural World Heritage sites, including ensuring the delivery of IUCN’s work on State of Conservation reports and monitoring missions requested by the Committee;
• Manage the relationship with UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre on state of conservation and monitoring issues;
• Undertake reactive monitoring missions to selected World Heritage properties as agreed with line manager;
• Undertaking the management of the conservation team of the Programme, including line management of staff in the team (1-5 people), as well as the supervision of consultants supporting IUCN’s conservation work on World Heritage, and supporting the contribution of experts from IUCN’s Commissions to the Programme, notably from IUCN WCPA;
• Identifying conservation priorities for natural World Heritage sites and implementing capacity building, advocacy and influencing activities that address those priorities;
• Building partnerships with IUCN member organizations, Commissions and other conservation groups, and contributing significantly to the programme’s communication work;
• In collaboration with the WH Programme team make a leading contribution to producing the IUCN World Heritage Outlook, including ensuring the delivery of high-quality site assessments to an agreed methodology, and co-authoring the design, publication and communication of the Report and associated web site, and co-coordinating the governance of the project;
• Taking a leading role in the IUCN delegation to the annual World Heritage Committee meeting, including in presentation of IUCN positions to the Committee, leading meetings with State Parties (including potentially with senior government representatives), leading and coordinating side events, press activities and undertaking delegation management roles and tasks;
• Coordinating the development and implementation of an effective information management system to support site monitoring, store data on natural World Heritage sites and present this information via a website, and other means as appropriate;
• Developing policy advice, including commissioning and managing relevant research, regarding agreed World Heritage conservation issues;
• Managing projects and associated delegated budgets to ensure their effective and timely delivery and meeting of requirements in terms of financial management and project reporting to donors;
• Assist the management of the programme, including programme planning, project management, development of regional programmes, and by supporting the preparation and marketing of fundraising proposals;
• Representing IUCN at intergovernmental and other meetings and conferences, including acting when required as a spokesperson for IUCN on World Heritage conservation issues, including undertaking media briefings and other relevant communications activity;
• Promoting the work of the World Heritage Programme within the wider IUCN Programme;
• Assisting the IUCN World Heritage Panel in reviewing conservation issues;
• Providing support to the evaluation process for new nominated World Heritage Sites as required;
• Taking a lead in coordinating work in identified target regions with IUCN’s regional offices and programmes;
• Other duties as related to the implementation of the annual World Heritage contracts and the overall work of the World Heritage Programme, as discussed and agreed with the line manager.
• Coordinating IUCN’s work as an Advisory Body to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee on monitoring natural World Heritage sites, including ensuring the delivery of IUCN’s work on State of Conservation reports and monitoring missions requested by the Committee;
• Manage the relationship with UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre on state of conservation and monitoring issues;
• Undertake reactive monitoring missions to selected World Heritage properties as agreed with line manager;
• Undertaking the management of the conservation team of the Programme, including line management of staff in the team (1-5 people), as well as the supervision of consultants supporting IUCN’s conservation work on World Heritage, and supporting the contribution of experts from IUCN’s Commissions to the Programme, notably from IUCN WCPA;
• Identifying conservation priorities for natural World Heritage sites and implementing capacity building, advocacy and influencing activities that address those priorities;
• Building partnerships with IUCN member organizations, Commissions and other conservation groups, and contributing significantly to the programme’s communication work;
• In collaboration with the WH Programme team make a leading contribution to producing the IUCN World Heritage Outlook, including ensuring the delivery of high-quality site assessments to an agreed methodology, and co-authoring the design, publication and communication of the Report and associated web site, and co-coordinating the governance of the project;
• Taking a leading role in the IUCN delegation to the annual World Heritage Committee meeting, including in presentation of IUCN positions to the Committee, leading meetings with State Parties (including potentially with senior government representatives), leading and coordinating side events, press activities and undertaking delegation management roles and tasks;
• Coordinating the development and implementation of an effective information management system to support site monitoring, store data on natural World Heritage sites and present this information via a website, and other means as appropriate;
• Developing policy advice, including commissioning and managing relevant research, regarding agreed World Heritage conservation issues;
• Managing projects and associated delegated budgets to ensure their effective and timely delivery and meeting of requirements in terms of financial management and project reporting to donors;
• Assist the management of the programme, including programme planning, project management, development of regional programmes, and by supporting the preparation and marketing of fundraising proposals;
• Representing IUCN at intergovernmental and other meetings and conferences, including acting when required as a spokesperson for IUCN on World Heritage conservation issues, including undertaking media briefings and other relevant communications activity;
• Promoting the work of the World Heritage Programme within the wider IUCN Programme;
• Assisting the IUCN World Heritage Panel in reviewing conservation issues;
• Providing support to the evaluation process for new nominated World Heritage Sites as required;
• Taking a lead in coordinating work in identified target regions with IUCN’s regional offices and programmes;
• Other duties as related to the implementation of the annual World Heritage contracts and the overall work of the World Heritage Programme, as discussed and agreed with the line manager.
REQUIREMENTS
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• Required: A degree in environmental management and/or natural resources conservation and management, and ideally a masters level qualification in a subject relevant to the position; • Required: At least 5 years’ relevant work experience, and ideally a longer period in a relevant field. In particular, field experience in protected areas conservation and management. • Required: Experience in international conservation policy and conflict resolution will be important for this position. An understanding of the World Heritage Convention would be highly beneficial; • Required: Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail; • Required: Ability to work independently and deliver quality products within agreed tight deadlines; • Required: Excellent written and spoken English and a very high standard of written and spoken French are both essential requirements, as these are the working languages of the WH Convention; skills in Spanish (the third official language of IUCN) and/or another official language of UNESCO (Russian, Chinese, Arabic) are highly desirable. Please do not apply for the position if you do not meet the language requirements in English and French; • Required: A strong aptitude and ability to communicate both informally and formally. (Excellent presentation, interpersonal and networking skills); • Required: Ability to prepare written communications (press releases, newsletters); skills in web-based communication will be a value added to this position; • Required: Willingness to travel and work non-traditional hours as required; • Desired: Project management experience (development and implementation of work plans, financial and technical management of contracts, supervision of consultants, liaison with relevant stakeholders, etc.); • Desired: Proven ability to work with Geographical Information Systems, spreadsheets and databases; • Desired: Specialist experience in one or more fields of conservation relevant to the World Heritage Convention would be an advantage (e.g. Marine, Forests, Wetlands, Mountains, Climate Change); • Desired: Experience working in a cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment; |
SALARY
The gross annual salary for this position is between CHF 100'355 and CHF 125'444, subject to deductions for social security contributions and second-pillar pension, and before tax. 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/
About IUCN
IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.
Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.
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