Junior Programme Officer, Protected and Conserved Areas

at  International Union for Conservation of Nature

Vacancy #:
6977
Unit:
Protected and Conserved Areas Team
Organisation:
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Location:
Headquarters, Gland, Switzerland
Reporting to:
Green List Programme Manager
Work percentage:
100%
Grade:
YP
Expected start date:
01 October 2024
Type of contract:
Fixed-term (18 months with possibility of renewal)
Closing date:
04 September 2024

REQUIREMENTS

• A YP, also called Young Professional, is in place to provide a first professional experience in an international setting for young professionals (up to 35 years old) holding a Bachelor’s Degree. IUCN will ask for a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 3 years of experience for this type of contract. IUCN is committed to providing all YPs with a quality experience that involves meaningful work and activities with the opportunity to learn and gain practical work experience in an international setting. YPs will be provided with clearly defined Terms of Reference (TORs). They will be adequately supervised by a suitable identified Senior Unit/Programme/Group staff member, who will monitor their progress, ensure that they contribute effectively and resolve any concerns they may have throughout their assignment with IUCN.

Education

• Bachelor degree in a subject related to environmental sciences, natural resource management, social sciences or any related fields;

Experience

• A minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 3 years of experience in an environmental, sustainability or development context, preferably including project coordination and administration;
• Knowledge of IUCN tools and standards, including the Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas is an advantage
• Proven ability to operate within a results-based management framework;
• Experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders, such as local NGOs, government officials, donor representatives, and local and international staff;
• Additional experience growing-up, living in and working in countries and places of importance for biodiversity

Language proficiency

• Full fluency in English is essential, knowledge of French and Spanish is an advantage. Other languages are considered valuable.

Functional competencies

• Computer literacy in MS Office packages;
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, team-oriented attitude and ability to work independently;
• Ability to work in international teams and within multi-disciplinary groups;
• Demonstrated ability to implement projects with rigorous timelines and deliverables, including producing and delivering high quality products, and to track program quality through donor-approved monitoring and evaluation systems;
• Good knowledge of IUCN, its work and that of its commissions, partners and networks is important.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Key responsibilities of the Junior Programme Officer include:

• Supporting senior programme staff with coordination taks of the project portfolio for the IUCN Protected and Conserved Areas Team;
• Providing administrative support for meetings, workshops, and other project activities;
• Assisting with the coordination of project activities and communication between project stakeholders;
• To learn and grow professional skills through participation in conservation projects and engagements;
• Contributing to the development of project reports, publications, presentations, communication and other project materials;
• Undertaking logistical and administrative tasks, as assigned.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

1. Support the development and implementation of projects (60%)

• Help in the development and review of project, including timelines, reports and budgets as well as help coordinating and tracking the project implementation schedule;
• As directed, support the provision of goods and services, partnership agreements and service contracts, following all IUCN procurement processes;
• Assist in tracking progress towards project milestones and goals;
• Contribute to the editing and formatting of project documents and materials;
• Assist in the preparation of project reports and presentations, and other project materials as required;
• Support the project promotion in preparing and disseminating promotion and visibility material, including for Act30 and the IUCN Green List;
• Support the IUCN Green List Programme in liaising with the community of practitioners and experts;
• Be proactive in identifying and addressing project-related issues and challenges, as well as finding solutions;
• Maintain a positive and collaborative working relationship with project team members, stakeholders, and partners;
• To develop and enhance specific professional competencies, as identified and agreed with supervisor.

1. Support the organization of meetings, workshops, and other project activities (30%)

• Assist in organizing and scheduling in-person and online meetings, workshops, and other project activities.
• Meeting coordination, logistics and management: prepare agendas, invites and meeting materials, help with room/venue bookings.
• Take meeting minutes, manage recordings, disseminate and organize the follow-up and tracking of agreed points;
• Assist in convening IUCN Green List governance bodies and supporting their key operations, including the IUCN Green List Panel and its associated Green List Standard Committee, the Green List Steering Group, and the Green List Secretariat;
• Undertake logistical and administrative tasks related to meetings and workshops at Headquarters and in regions, including travel arrangements, on-line registration systems and technical support to meeting presenters.

1. Protected and Conserved Areas Team support (10%)

• Assist in updating spreadsheets and coordinating time sheets for the programmes and teams;
• Create Travel Authorizations and process expense claims (including cross charges) for the teams;
• Carry out other relevant tasks on request and agreement with the line managers.

The above job description contains the main duties and responsibilities for this position. However, in a small organization such as IUCN, 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, their line manager and the Human Resources Management Group.