MAINTENANCE NOTICE
Due to maintenance work, our HR Management System might be inaccessible
on
Wednesday, 20 May 2026, from 11:00 to 12:00 CEST (UTC+02:00)
Due to maintenance work, our HR Management System might be inaccessible
on
Wednesday, 20 May 2026, from 11:00 to 12:00 CEST (UTC+02:00)
Monitoring Officer, World Heritage Programme
|
BACKGROUND
IUCN is the Advisory Body for Natural and Mixed World Heritage properties under the World Heritage Convention. This role mainly involves four functions: (1) evaluating new natural and mixed properties which are proposed for inscription on the World Heritage List; (2) monitoring the state of conservation of existing natural and mixed World Heritage properties; (3) promoting a range of training and capacity building initiatives; and (4) providing guidance on the strategic implementation of the Convention. These activities are implemented in close coordination with UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre and financially supported by a contract with UNESCO, the implementation of which needs to be monitored and reported on.
The Monitoring Officer will be responsible for coordinating IUCN’s role under the World Heritage Convention of monitoring the state of conservation of natural and mixed World Heritage sites, and certain cultural landscapes as well as contribute to the World Heritage evaluation process and communication activities. Specifically he/she will be responsible for the following tasks, as part of the work of the World Heritage Programme (WHP).
The Monitoring Officer will be responsible for coordinating IUCN’s role under the World Heritage Convention of monitoring the state of conservation of natural and mixed World Heritage sites, and certain cultural landscapes as well as contribute to the World Heritage evaluation process and communication activities. Specifically he/she will be responsible for the following tasks, as part of the work of the World Heritage Programme (WHP).
JOB DESCRIPTION
1. World Heritage Monitoring and Reporting
1.1 Take a lead role in the maintenance and management of IUCN’s State of World Heritage monitoring information system, and outputs from this via web and publications;
1.2 Carry out ongoing research and monitoring on the state of conservation of natural and mixed World Heritage properties, making early and regular contact with relevant experts to request information on the state of conservation of World Heritage sites, and then verifying this information through IUCN networks including World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), other Commissions and IUCN Global and Regional Programmes as appropriate;
1.3 Ensure the timely and high-quality production of IUCN State of Conservation Reports for the World Heritage Committee on natural and mixed World Heritage sites and selected cultural landscapes, managing consultants as required;
1.4 Organize all relevant logistical and administrative aspects of IUCN monitoring missions, including the review and finalization of mission reports, in close cooperation with WCPA and other consultants, UNESCO World Heritage Centre, States Parties’ focal points and provide technical support and advice to the experts undertaking these missions;
1.5 Ensure the effective two-way flow of information on the conservation status and outlook of World Heritage properties, including between IUCN Regional and Country Offices, WCPA, SSC, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, IUCN members and other relevant parties, including other Conventions and Multilateral Environmental Agreements;
1.6 Assist the World Heritage Programme, and IUCN Finance as required, in the production of technical and financial reports on UNESCO contracts;
1.7 Maintain and implement continual improvements to the filing and archiving systems on World Heritage properties and to the database of key contacts for World Heritage properties and issues;
1.8 Participate fully in planning and delivering the development and improvement of the effectiveness of IUCN’s conservation and monitoring systems for World Heritage, and ensure coordinated delivery of the above tasks with members of the WHP team, including the line manager and Director of Programme.
2. Communications and Networking
2.1 Contribute to content for communications materials (e.g. web stories, press releases, articles etc.) on World Heritage, writing newsletters and updating the WHP web pages and other relevant IUCN communications activities.
3. Conservation Policy and Projects
3.1 Be responsible for managing projects related to policy issues relevant to World Heritage Conservation;
3.2 Assist in the preparation and presentation of fundraising and project proposals to reinforce IUCN’s work on World Heritage;
3.3 Assist the IUCN World Heritage Panel to review previous World Heritage Committee decisions and IUCN reports on the State of World Heritage in order to prioritise activities and reporting requirements and to brief the IUCN World Heritage Panel on State of Conservation issues including technical and policy issues.
4. Other
4.1 Promote the work of the WHP within the IUCN programme, and with IUCN members and partners;
4.2 Providing support to the evaluation process for new nominated World Heritage Sites as required;
4.3 Support work in identified target regions with IUCN’s regional offices and programmes;
4.4 Other duties related to the implementation of the annual World Heritage contracts and overall work of the WHP, as discussed and agreed with the line manager;
4.5 The position will involve some international travel, including to the annual World Heritage Committee and international events, and with the additional possibility to participate in some on-ground monitoring visits to World Heritage Sites.
Salary
The gross annual salary for this position is CHF 80'640 subject to deductions for social security contributions and second-pillar pension, and before tax.
1.1 Take a lead role in the maintenance and management of IUCN’s State of World Heritage monitoring information system, and outputs from this via web and publications;
1.2 Carry out ongoing research and monitoring on the state of conservation of natural and mixed World Heritage properties, making early and regular contact with relevant experts to request information on the state of conservation of World Heritage sites, and then verifying this information through IUCN networks including World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), other Commissions and IUCN Global and Regional Programmes as appropriate;
1.3 Ensure the timely and high-quality production of IUCN State of Conservation Reports for the World Heritage Committee on natural and mixed World Heritage sites and selected cultural landscapes, managing consultants as required;
1.4 Organize all relevant logistical and administrative aspects of IUCN monitoring missions, including the review and finalization of mission reports, in close cooperation with WCPA and other consultants, UNESCO World Heritage Centre, States Parties’ focal points and provide technical support and advice to the experts undertaking these missions;
1.5 Ensure the effective two-way flow of information on the conservation status and outlook of World Heritage properties, including between IUCN Regional and Country Offices, WCPA, SSC, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, IUCN members and other relevant parties, including other Conventions and Multilateral Environmental Agreements;
1.6 Assist the World Heritage Programme, and IUCN Finance as required, in the production of technical and financial reports on UNESCO contracts;
1.7 Maintain and implement continual improvements to the filing and archiving systems on World Heritage properties and to the database of key contacts for World Heritage properties and issues;
1.8 Participate fully in planning and delivering the development and improvement of the effectiveness of IUCN’s conservation and monitoring systems for World Heritage, and ensure coordinated delivery of the above tasks with members of the WHP team, including the line manager and Director of Programme.
2. Communications and Networking
2.1 Contribute to content for communications materials (e.g. web stories, press releases, articles etc.) on World Heritage, writing newsletters and updating the WHP web pages and other relevant IUCN communications activities.
3. Conservation Policy and Projects
3.1 Be responsible for managing projects related to policy issues relevant to World Heritage Conservation;
3.2 Assist in the preparation and presentation of fundraising and project proposals to reinforce IUCN’s work on World Heritage;
3.3 Assist the IUCN World Heritage Panel to review previous World Heritage Committee decisions and IUCN reports on the State of World Heritage in order to prioritise activities and reporting requirements and to brief the IUCN World Heritage Panel on State of Conservation issues including technical and policy issues.
4. Other
4.1 Promote the work of the WHP within the IUCN programme, and with IUCN members and partners;
4.2 Providing support to the evaluation process for new nominated World Heritage Sites as required;
4.3 Support work in identified target regions with IUCN’s regional offices and programmes;
4.4 Other duties related to the implementation of the annual World Heritage contracts and overall work of the WHP, as discussed and agreed with the line manager;
4.5 The position will involve some international travel, including to the annual World Heritage Committee and international events, and with the additional possibility to participate in some on-ground monitoring visits to World Heritage Sites.
Salary
The gross annual salary for this position is CHF 80'640 subject to deductions for social security contributions and second-pillar pension, and before tax.
REQUIREMENTS
|
• 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; - At least 2 years’ relevant work experience, and ideally a longer period in a relevant field. In particular, field experience in protected areas conservation and management; - 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; - Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail; - Ability to work independently and deliver quality products within agreed tight deadlines; - 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; - A strong aptitude and ability to communicate both informally (interpersonal skills and networking) and formally (presentations); - Ability to prepare written communications (press releases, newsletters); skills in web-based communication will be a value added to this position; - 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.); - Proven ability to work with Geographical Information Systems, spreadsheets and databases; - 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); - Experience working in a cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment; |
SALARY
The gross annual salary for this position is between CHF 86'330 and CHF 107'913, 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.
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.
www.iucn.org
https://twitter.com/IUCN