IUCN has developed a Business Engagement Strategy that builds on the current portfolio of partnerships with the private sector companies as well as new value propositions for broader engagements with the private sector. The Head of the newly created Business Engagement Unit is responsible for further developing and implementing the Business Engagement Strategy of IUCN Secretariat and lead business development efforts and engagement with the private sector. This position will spearhead business engagement growth through expanding current engagements and exploring new markets and opportunities. He/She will lead business engagement activities through cross-functional collaborations and coordination.

Key responsibilities
- Develop and lead the implementation and refinement of IUCN’s Business Engagement strategy and financial model
- Lead on the development and implementation of annual priorities, including all aspects and tasks of the Business Engagement Unit (BEU)* with clear annual growth targets
- Work together with regional offices and thematic centres to develop clear value propositions for the different industries and identify strategic opportunities to grow business engagement and partnerships
- Coordinate and support the implementation of a secretariat wide business engagement strategy, including marketing, outreach and communications, due diligence and proposal development to potential clients.
- Develop and implement efficient and fit for purpose processes related to business engagement
- Provide clear, concise and insightful written analyses and recommendations for business engagement growth and stronger engagement, including keeping abreast of global trends on businesses and biodiversity/ nature positive.
- Negotiate and confirm partnerships and service level agreements, including on capacity building, convening, technical products and tools, co-creating projects, technical assistance, cause related marketing etc.
- Develop plans for new market entry and target client segments to grow the business portfolio
- Lead monitoring of targets and goals related to business engagement
- Develop annual plans and budgets for the BEU and monitor the unit’s budget.
- Build a fit for purpose team to successfully grow business engagements and to provide ongoing relationship management to existing and potential clients.

Key tasks of BEU
- Marketing and partnership scanning
- Initial engagement (proactive outreach: should have target per industry working with Regions and Centres)
- Follow-up after DG/ DDGs and other senior engagement opportunities
- Proposal development (using all components of the value proposition as much as possible with inputs from relevant units)
- Develop contract templates (with legal)
- Coordinate with centres and regions on implementation
- On-going relationship management (grow the partnership, bring in more units to engage)
- Internal coordination for replication of projects
- Keeping all registry of business engagement
- Update of CRM
- Due diligence process preparation

The above job description contains the main duties and responsibilities for this position. However, staff members are expected to show flexibility in their approach to work and be willing to undertake other tasks that are reasonably allocated to them but which are not part of their regular job description. Where any task becomes a regular part of an employee's responsibilities, the job description will be changed in consultation with the employee and the Human Resources Management Group.

Note that as the BEU is a newly created unit, the role of the Head position is also to grow the unit with self-sustaining financial model.


Reporting line
The Head of Business Engagement Unit will report to the Deputy Director General, Corporate Services, and will closely coordinate with Director, Strategic Partnership Unit.