IUCN is the Advisory Body for Natural and Mixed World Heritage properties under the World Heritage Convention. IUCN’s 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 supporting IUCN’s role under the World Heritage Convention of monitoring the state of conservation of natural and mixed World Heritage sites, and selected cultural landscapes, in certain regions, as well as contribute to the World Heritage evaluation process and related policy, strategy, capacity building and communication activities as needed. Specifically, the role will be responsible for the following tasks, as part of the work of the Heritage Culture and Youth Team (HCYT).

1. World Heritage Monitoring and Reporting

1.1 Ensure the timely and high-quality production of IUCN State of Conservation (SOC) Reports for the World Heritage Committee on natural and mixed World Heritage sites and selected cultural landscapes, and support their presentation at annual Sessions of the World Heritage Committee normally scheduled in June-July of each year, including participation in the necessary bilateral meetings and consultations with the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, other Advisory Bodies to the Convention, and States Parties before and during Committee Sessions;

1.2 Carry out day-to-day research and monitoring on the state of conservation of natural and mixed World Heritage properties in defined regions, including through comprehensive analyses of technical reports (e.g. ESIA, SEA) received in line with paragraphs 172 and 174 of the Operational Guidelines, making early and regular contact with relevant experts to request information on the state of conservation of World Heritage sites, and verifying this information through IUCN networks including the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), Species Survival Commission (SSC), other Commissions, IUCN Centres within the Global Programme, and Regional Offices as appropriate;

1.3 Organise all relevant logistical and administrative aspects of IUCN Reactive monitoring and Advisory missions, including planning, preparation, providing technical support and advice to mission experts, and the review and finalisation of mission reports, in close cooperation with field experts, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Advisory Bodies, and States Parties’ focal points, as required;

1.4 Support the maintenance and management of IUCN’s World Heritage monitoring systems, including the IUCN World Heritage Outlook; planning and development of further outputs and communications based on the data collected, ongoing improvement of the system based on lessons learnt, facilitating mutually beneficial knowledge and data flow between UNESCO and IUCN monitoring systems and any preparations for the next cycles of assessments;

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, other Commissions, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, IUCN members and other relevant parties, including other Conventions and Multilateral Environmental Agreements;

1.6 Assist the HCYT, and IUCN Global Programme Operations Unit as required, in the production of technical and financial reports on UNESCO contracts, and other relevant agreements;

1.7 Provide technical advice in support of maintaining accurate up to date geospatial data for World Heritage properties;

1.8 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;

1.9 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 HCYT, including the line manager and Head, HCYT.

2. Communications and Networking

2.1 Contribute content for communication materials (e.g. web stories, press releases, articles etc.) on World Heritage, writing newsletters and updating the HCYT web pages and other relevant IUCN and UNESCO communications activities.

3. Conservation Policy and Projects

3.1 Lead on defined World Heritage-relevant strategic conservation themes to provide technical input, policy coherence and support project fundraising and programme development responding to agreed priorities;

3.2 Brief the IUCN World Heritage Panel on State of Conservation issues where required to inform them of critical files and key seek direction.

4. Other

4.1 Promote the World Heritage work of the HCYT within the IUCN Secretariat, UNESCO, and with IUCN members and partners;

4.2 Provide support to the evaluation process for new nominated World Heritage Sites as required;

4.3 Support collaborative work across the IUCN Programme Centres and Regional Offices within defined target regions and countries;

4.4 Other duties related to the implementation of the annual World Heritage contracts and overall work of the HCYT, as discussed and agreed with the line manager;

4.5 The position is expected to involve some international travel.

5. Desired skills

Project management experience (development and implementation of work plans, financial and technical management of contracts, supervision of consultants, liaison with relevant stakeholders, etc.).
Specialist experience in one or more fields of conservation relevant to the World Heritage Convention would be an advantage (for example but not limited to marine, forests, wetlands, mountains, geoheritage, climate change, communities etc.).
Experience working in a cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment.
Multilingual skills including in Spanish (the third official language of IUCN) and/or another official language of UNESCO (Russian, Chinese, Arabic).