Overview

IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, is seeking a qualified individual to join our Asia Regional Office. 

BACKGROUND

The Natural Resources Group, Asia (NRG) is considered one administrative entity, and has evolved from the previous Ecosystems and Livelihoods Group, Asia construct. It brings under one umbrella all component thematic programmes in IUCN.

The Natural Resources Group (NRG) is involved in a growing number of species-related projects in Asia, including:

• The Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) project in South-east Asia;
• IUCN Save Our Species Gibbons;
• The Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Programme (ITHCP).

NRG is also expecting to play a leading role in the implementation of the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund’s (CEPF) third phase of investment in the Indo-Burma Hotspot; this will include a significant focus on issues related to species conservation and combatting the illegal wildlife trade.

In addition to managing its own portfolio of projects, NRG provides frequent technical support on species conservation issues to IUCN’s country offices across the Asia region. This includes, for example, the provision of training in the use of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species criteria and categories.

In order to ensure that this growing portfolio of projects is effectively managed and coordinated, NRG is looking for a dynamic, results-driven person to support implementation of the species portfolio across the Asia region.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

The Programme Officer, Species, will support the implementation of NRG’s species portfolio, and will have particular responsibility for ensuring the effective day-to-day delivery of the CITES MIKE South-East Asia Project.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

1 Project Implementation

1.1 CITES MIKE South-East Asia Project
The specific objective of this project is to enhance the ability of South-East Asian elephant range States to effectively implement their monitoring, enforcement and compliance commitments relating to Asian elephants under CITES. Under the supervision of the Project Manager, the Programme Officer, Species, will:

• Lead the day-to-day implementation of the project in collaboration with the relevant governments, IUCN Country Offices and other key partners;
• Develop and implement the annual work plan, including for monitoring and reporting;
• Contribute to the development, adaptation and field testing of MIKE Programme approaches, tools and methodologies (e.g. Law Enforcement Capacity Assessment) for application in the Asian context, and provide feedback on potential improvements or amendments needed;
• Support MIKE sites in the regular collection, synthesis and storage of elephant mortality data in accordance with the MIKE Programme monitoring protocols, including follow-up assistance in enhancing the reliability of such data, and carrying out on-side data audits where required;
• Organise trainings to build site-level capacity on collection and management of MIKE data, law enforcement planning and strategy development, and specialist skills for combatting illegal killing of elephants and trade in specimens;
• Support the logistical organisation and technical preparations for the Sub-regional Partner Meetings and ensure the effective and efficient delivery of these meetings and preparation and dissemination of the meeting minutes (or other meeting records);
• Develop drafts of all technical reports required for the project, for review and finalisation by the Project Manager;
• Coordinate the preparation of financial reports by the ARO Finance Department;
• Communicate regularly with the MIKE Central Coordination Unit and attend all Project Coordination Meetings.

1.2 Support the implementation of other species related projects
IUCN Asia and the Natural Resources Group implement several projects with relevance to the species programme. These include: Save Our Species Gibbons; the Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Programme; and the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (serving as the Regional Implementation Team). The Programme Officer, Species, will:
• Support the implementation of the on-granting components of these projects, including:
– project screening and contracting procedures;
– portfolio data management;
– capacity development events;
– monitoring and evaluation processes; and
– project reporting and documentation.
• Help ensure regular communication between IUCN and grantees.

2 Programme development and technical support
2.1 Assist with the development of new project concepts and proposals addressing NRG’s species conservation and wildlife trade priorities;
2.2 Provide species-related guidance and technical support to IUCN country programmes.

3 Programme planning, assessment and reporting
3.1 Contribute to the production of relevant technical reports and outputs as stipulated in the yearly work plans of NRG;
3.2 Contribute to information sharing, lessons learning and documentation of project and programme experiences.

4 Capacity development
4.1 Contribute to the provision of technical advice and backstopping to help promote the use of best practice approaches by IUCN staff in the region;
4.2 Keep abreast of the latest developments in species conservation emerging both from within IUCN and from outside the organisation, and bring relevant items to the attention of NRG leadership.

5 Networking and partnership develop
5.1 Assist NRG to maintain strong and productive relationships with the IUCN Global Species Programme and the IUCN Species Survival Commission, as well as external partners and initiatives such as the Asian Species Action Partnership (ASAP), TRAFFIC and the WWF’s Wildlife Crime Initiative.

6. Other Duties
6.1 Represent the Natural Resources Group and/or the IUCN Asia Regional Office at national, regional and international events, when requested;
6.2 Carry out other relevant tasks assigned by, and mutually agreed with, the line manager

REQUIREMENTS

  • Bachelors degree or higher in Conservation Biology, Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Project Management, or a relevant field

    • Minimum 5 years’ experience in programme/project coordination and implementation, preferably in a field directly related to the environment and/or species conservation;

    • Proficient in the use of office applications (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other web-based management systems;

    • A high level of organisational skills and attention to detail; good analytical and presentation skills;

    • An ability to work co-operatively as part of a large team with strong inter-personal skills and an ability to work in different cultural contexts with strategic partners;

    • A willingness to travel throughout the Asia region and work under pressure to meet deadlines.

    • Fluent in English (verbal/written)

    • Competency in a language of South-East Asia considered beneficial

    • Candidates with international experience preferred. 

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION: 08 July 2020

Applicants are requested to apply online through the IUCN HR Management System by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the “Apply” button at:

https://hrms.iucn.org/iresy/index.cfm?event=vac.show&vacId=6379&lang=en 

Only short-listed candidates will be notified

IUCN is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from qualified women and men.