IUCN recruits 01 Programme Officer – Conservation action

IUCN recruits 01 Programme Officer – Conservation action

Background

IUCN is seeking to recruit an experienced and enthusiastic candidate to join the IUCN Species Conservation Action Team as Programme Officer – Species Conservation to support the IUCN SOS – Save Our Species programme.

IUCN SOS – Save Our Species aims to improve the conservation status of globally threatened species, their habitats and the people depending on them. It provides grants for conservation projects targeting globally threatened species. By strategically focusing on species conservation priorities identified by the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and by providing rapid action funding that can be mobilized quickly during crises, SOS provides critically-needed resources where and when they matter most.

The primary task of the Programme Officer will be to contribute to the effective implementation of the SOS African Wildlife initiative in West and Central Africa. The SOS African Wildlife initiative aims primarily to halt the decline of the Vulnerable species of Lion (Panthera leo), Leopard (Panthera pardus), Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) as well as the Endangered species of African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus) and Ethiopian Wolf (Canis simensis), increasingly threatened by poaching, habitat fragmentation and human encroachment on wild habitats. The initiative also contributes to ensuring the long-term survival of smaller carnivores and prey species.

This position will also be involved in the management of other initiatives with a similar geographic scope. Other tasks will include priority setting for species conservation, managing donor and partner relationships, fundraising, and liaison with IUCN Programmes, Members, Commissions, and partners. This position will be based at the IUCN Regional Office for West and Central Africa based in Dakar, Senegal.

Job description

• Ensure the efficient implementation of the West and Central Africa component of the IUCN SOS African Wildlife initiative and other initiatives with the same geographic scope;
• Be responsible for the day to day management of the grants following IUCN SOS standardised procedures and in coordination with the Species Conservation Grants Coordinator;
• Support the development of operational guidelines and templates and contribute to preparing the documentation for calls for proposals to be published in the IUCN Grants Portal;
• Assist in reviewing applications received by the SOS Secretariat, including review of applications’ eligibility under SOS criteria, and supporting the SOS Technical Advisory Group review of applications;
• Liaise with grantees;
• Monitor grants and organise and conduct project monitoring missions as well as prepare mission reports in coordination with the Species Conservation
• Grants Coordinator;
• Review progress and final reports submitted by grantees and prepare project evaluation reports;
• Lead on the data collection process for grants in West and Central Africa to feed into the SOS monitoring and evaluation framework;
• Support organisational development and capacity building activities;
• Ensure timely and quality communication of the IUCN SOS African Wildlife initiative through IUCN’s regional and global communications channels;
• Contribute to drafting progress reports to the donor;
• Assist in identifying opportunities for partnerships and project development, and support IUCN SOS fundraising efforts, in collaboration with the IUCN
• Regional Office for West and Central Africa, including to ensure the continuation of the SOS African Wildlife initiative;
• Organize webinars and events;
• Represent the Species Conservation Action Team and IUCN Regional Office for West and Central Africa at relevant international events;
• Contribute towards understanding and learning of the role of grant-making programmes for conservation action;
• Contribute towards knowledge management for conservation in conjunction with the Centre for Science and Data;
• Carry out other relevant tasks at the request of and in agreement with the line manager.

Requirements

• MSc degree (or higher) in biodiversity conservation, species/habitat management, environmental sciences or other relevant discipline;
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in the field of biodiversity conservation, preferably involving on-the-ground conservation activities;
• Knowledge of and experience with the main biodiversity conservation challenges in West and Central Africa;
• Experience in grant making or project management, with strong project management skills at multiple levels including planning, implementation, reporting, and monitoring;
• Proven ability to work with multi-disciplinary groups, including governments, experts, civil society and local communities;
• Capacity to produce high-quality briefs and reports;
• Good knowledge of IUCN standards and knowledge tools for species conservation is an asset;
• Fundraising experience;
• GIS skills are an asset;
• Excellent fluency in spoken and written English and French;
• Capacity to work effectively under time pressure and extended hours;
• Willingness to travel within the region, sometimes at short notice;
• Computer literacy in MS Office packages;
• Excellent organizational and networking skills;
• Team-oriented attitude and ability to work independently;
• Respond well to remote supervision.

Applications

• Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the « Apply » button.
• Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.

Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: http://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/

Closing date: 27 February 2022.Postuler