Vacancy #:
7366
Unit:
Biodiversity Assessment and Knowledge
Organisation:
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Location:
Cambridge Office, Cambridge, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Reporting to:
Head, Red List Unit
Work percentage:
100%
Grade:
P1
Expected start date:
01 September 2025
Type of contract:
Fixed-term (24 months with possibility of renewal)
Closing date:
21 August 2025

REQUIREMENTS

• Education
  Post-graduate degree (MSc) in a relevant subject (e.g., conservation, ecology, biodiversity or natural resources)

Work Experience

• At least two to three years post-graduate relevant work experience, with proven experience of the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria and the Red List assessment process.

Skills

• Good understanding of the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria and the Red List assessment process.
• Required to pass the advanced level (?90%) online IUCN Red List Training course exam.
• Proficiency in the use of computer software programs and experience in data analysis.
• Good GIS mapping skills.
• Excellent proof-reading, editing and writing skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Competencies/Behaviours

• Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to work on own initiative.
• Good organisational and decision-making skills.

Languages

• Fluency in English, Portuguese and Spanish is required.
• Fluency in French is advantageous.

Other requirements
Skills in web design, including use of HTML are advantageous.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES

The Programme Officer performs a key role within the Red List Unit, processing Red List assessments for one of IUCN’s key Knowledge Products, The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. This includes work on reviewing and processing of submitted assessments written in Portuguese or Spanish, for publication on The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™; facilitating assessment or review workshops with relevant experts; facilitating Red List training workshops; and carrying out specific project work as required. The Programme Officer will assist in maintaining Portuguese and Spanish language versions of materials, including checking and updating translated versions of Red List Training resources (for the online Red List Training course and in-person training workshops); translation and maintenance of Spanish versions of pages on the IUCN Red List website; and proofreading Spanish translations of media releases. The incumbent also provides general support to the Red List Unit by assisting or leading on finding images for use in social media and other fund-raising campaigns; jointly responding to general enquiries to The IUCN Red List; and assisting with Red List meetings, as required. Much of the work requires close liaison and collaboration with other Red List Unit staff, staff from other IUCN units, the relevant IUCN SSC Specialist Groups, and project partners.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Processing assessments for Red List updates

• Carry out quality checks and proofreading for assessments submitted in English, Spanish and Portuguese for publication on The IUCN Red List, ensuring that the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria are applied correctly, and the assessments meet the required supporting information standards.
• Check spatial data submitted with assessments to ensure the distribution maps meet the required standards outlined in the Mapping Standards and Data Quality for IUCN Red List Spatial Data.
• Liaise with members of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and other assessors to improve assessment quality where necessary.
• Where necessary, create corrected assessments and edit taxonomy in the Species Information Service (SIS) data management system.

Contribution to other activities associated with Red List updates

• Assist in checking functionality and data on the test Red List web site to ensure assessment information has uploaded correctly and that website functionality is working.
• Where required, assist with preparation of media materials, including checking Spanish translations, for the Red List media releases and other associated communications products.

Red List workshops

• Travel internationally to attend Red List training and assessment/review workshops, as required (no more than four to six weeks per year).
• Provide facilitation and guidance for groups of experts participating in assessment/review workshops, to help them reach a consensus on appropriate Red List assessments.
• Lead or assist with organising and facilitating Red List Assessor Training workshops.
• Facilitate, or co-facilitate Red List Trainers’ Course workshops held in Spanish or Portuguese.
• Assist with organising and facilitating Red List webinars to provide advanced training/guidance to Spanish and Portuguese speaking audiences.

Translation Work

• Assist with finalisation, release and ongoing maintenance of the Portuguese version of the online Red List Training course.
• Update the Spanish version of the online Red List Training course, as required.
• Assist with updating Spanish and Portuguese versions of the resources used for Red List Assessor Training workshops.
• Assist with organising and facilitating Red List webinars to provide advanced training/guidance for Spanish and Portuguese speaking audiences.
• Update the Spanish versions of Red List web site pages to keep in line with the updated English versions and translate additional pages into Spanish.
• Check the Spanish translations of other Red List materials (e.g. the Red List Guidelines).

Improving public-facing Red List content and communications

• Assist with the creation of new content for the Red List website and ensure assigned pages/sections are kept up to date.
• Jointly respond to enquiries to the general Red List email address.
• Provide technical expertise to assist communications colleagues in responding to media enquiries.

Supporting other Red List Unit activities as required

• Assist with or lead on finding images for Red List social media and fund-raising activities.
• Assist with preparation of funding proposals for new assessment projects, as required.
• Assist with the preparation of project technical reports as required.
• Contribute to meetings and workshops, as required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervise junior staff and volunteers, as required.