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Regional Director - West Asia

Vacancy #:   2879
Unit:   West Asia - Regional Director
Organisation:   International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Location:   Regional Office for West Asia, Amman, Jordan
Reporting to:   Director General
Work percentage:   100%
Grade:   D
Expected start date:   22 December 2018
Type of contract:   Fixed-term
Closing date:   22 October 2018 (extended)
BACKGROUND
This senior leadership position provides an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of the implementation of the regional programme for the IUCN West Asia Region, in line with IUCN’s global programme framework for 2017-2020 and beyond. The regional programme for West Asia is implemented in collaboration with IUCN members, IUCN Commissions and partners, such as the agencies from the UN system, bi-and multilateral donors, and foundations.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Regional Director leads the strategic development and effective implementation of the IUCN Programme in West Asia. This position requires an accomplished and credible manager with high-level understanding of environmental policy issues in the regional and international context. The Regional Director is supported by a range of experts but has the strategic and institutional leadership to authoritatively handle a broad spectrum of subjects ranging from biodiversity and ecosystem based resource management strategies and policies to organizational and management and financial planning.

As the official representative of the Director General in the region, the Regional Director is responsible for maintaining a high and professional corporate profile for IUCN, particularly with IUCN members and partners. The position contributes to the global management of the Union through participation in the senior management team.

As Head of the Regional Office, the Regional Director is accountable for all financial, personnel and administrative matters and is also responsible for ensuring the financial viability of the regional programme. The Regional Director ensures that all organizational activities are consistently performed under the principles of equity, fairness, inclusiveness and respect for the diversity of people.


SPECIFIC DUTIES

• Represent IUCN in the region in a manner that promotes IUCN's mission and enhances the status of the Union among decision-making bodies, intergovernmental agencies, state and government members, nongovernmental organisation members and the private sector.
• Initiate and facilitate initiatives and dialogues on key issues of conservation policy based on IUCN's regional and global priorities.
• Develop and maintain long-term fund generation strategies and nurture relations with the donor community in the region in coordination with the Strategic Partnerships Unit in Headquarters.
• Hold overall responsibility for the implementation of IUCN’s programme in the West Asia region, ensuring full compliance with all IUCN policies and with commonly accepted standards for financial and administrative integrity and accountability.
• Oversee preparation, implementation, evaluation and reporting of multi-year programmes for IUCN's work in West Asia, in line with IUCN's global programme and business model.
• Develop and maintain regular contact with governments, regional and national committees of Members, existing and potential IUCN Members, partner organisations, Councillors, and Commission members.
• In collaboration with Membership focal points and the IUCN Constituency Unit, implement the IUCN Membership Strategy and develop a membership recruitment and retention plan.
• Maintain regular contacts with Headquarters for operational and programmatic cooperation, and work with the Mediterranean Cooperation Centre, in order to plan, develop and manage a joint programme of work in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
• As a member of IUCN’s Leadership Team, contribute to the corporate management of the IUCN Secretariat and Programme.
• Build and nurture a coherent IUCN team within the West Asia Region and develop deeper collaboration opportunities that strengthen IUCN presence in the Region.
• Ensure the efficient management of financial and human resources including the implementation and maintenance of relevant policies, procedures and control systems.
REQUIREMENTS
  • A commitment to nature conservation and sustainable use.

• Ability to provide inspiration and strategic direction.

• Post graduate or advanced degree in either business management or a subject related to conservation and sustainable development, with relevant experience in the other.

• Solid knowledge of conservation and sustainable development policy issues as well as the geopolitical, development and multi-stakeholder contexts in West Asia. Sound understanding of how this fits into the global context.

• At least 10 years’ professional experience in senior management and governance of a complex multinational organization or programme in an area related to conservation and/or sustainable development, of which at least 5 years in West Asia.

• A deep sense of self-awareness as evidenced by the ability to articulate one’s own strengths, weaknesses and one’s impact on others.

• Unimpeachable integrity as evidenced by behavior, communication style and way of handling ambiguous or difficult situations.

• Demonstrated ability to manage and lead the work of the Secretariat with diverse skills, personalities, and backgrounds.

• Proven ability to effectively delegate, empower and motivate staff and others.

• Experience developing teams and individuals and effectively leading improvement and change.

• Clear commitment to fostering a culture of high performance and accountability, demonstrated in the ability to manage by results, differentiate performance and assertively give feedback and take decisive action when necessary.

• Demonstrated ability to both plan and take action, keeping the staff focused on priorities.

• Demonstrated experience in the selection, coaching and appraisal of staff.

• Demonstrated experience building teams diverse in gender, nationality and background to achieve business results. This commitment to diversity and inclusion should be exemplified through staffing decisions (recruitment, promotion, recognition, etc.) and the ability to model behaviors that promote a more inclusive organizational culture.

• Demonstrated experience and achievements in organizational, financial and personnel management, and in decision-making.

• Proven experience in maintaining and nurturing expert networks with demonstrated ability to handle politically and culturally sensitive issues.

• Maintain a positive work environment that facilitates collaboration and information sharing and is conducive to attracting, retaining, and motivating diverse talent;

• Good understanding of world affairs and experience with the workings of Multilateral Environmental Agreements and governmental and non-governmental institutions.

• Ability and commitment to act in accordance with the core values of integrity, respect for diversity and professionalism as spelled out in IUCN’s Code of Conduct and Professional Ethics.

• Experience in identifying key issues in a complex situation, and consulting, gathering, and analyzing relevant information before proposing and implementing decisive actions or recommendations.

• Well-organized and logical in thought and action.

• Ability to foresee and manage risk.

• Fluency in Arabic and English required.

• Ability to travel frequently within the region and globally
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.

IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.

Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being.

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