JOB DESCRIPTION

Vacancy #: 7255 Unit: South America – Management Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Location: Regional Office for South America, Quito, Ecuador Reporting to: Coordinador Regional de Programa Work percentage: 100% Grade: P2 Expected start date: 01 May 2025 Type of contract: Fixed-term (12 months with possibility of renewal) Closing date: 20 April 2025
BACKGROUND

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) is a membership Union composed of both government and civil society organisations. IUCN’s mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature, and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. With over 75 years of experience, it harnesses the experience, resources and reach of its more than 1,400 Member organisations and the input of more than 15,000 experts. IUCN is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it. The IUCN Secretariat has offices located all around the world and is headquartered in Gland, Switzerland.
Every four years, the IUCN membership adopts a quadrennial Programme that guides the work of the Union, especially that of the IUCN Secretariat. The Secretariat implements the IUCN Programme through a growing portfolio of over 400 projects across the world that are designed to respond to country, donor, and IUCN priorities.
The Regional Office for South America (IUCN SUR) has a growing and dynamic portfolio, with 11 active projects supported by a diversified source of funding (GEF, BMU IkI, SIDA, Betty and Gordon Foundation, EU, among others) and is increasingly engaging with the private sector.
IUCN SUR is part of the Hub ORMACC-SUR, ensuring sound cooperation, in particular for the IUCN Programme implementation and the MEL area. Therefore, the South American Portfolio MEL Coordinator will work closely and receive guidance and support from the ORMACC MEL Coordinator as part of the ORMACC-SUR Hub. He/She will be part of the IUCN MEL team lead by MEAL in HQ.

JOB DESCRIPTION

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
This position leads the design and implementation of the following IUCN standards for Performance and Accountability within projects in which IUCN is the executing agency/entity:
• The support and quality control to project managers and teams in their annual planning, and middle and annual monitoring and evaluation processes following IUCN tools and procedures.
• The support to the technical and financial team in the design of new proposals in accordance with IUCN’s requirements (e.g., situation analysis, risk analysis, theory of change (ToC), logical framework, indicator selection, performance measurement framework, monitoring evaluation and learning plan, baselines, surveys, MEL budget, etc.).
• At regional program and thematic level, the consolidation and analysis of the monitoring, evaluation and systematization of results and impact, promoting adaptative management and learning processes in coordination with project teams.
• Review and quality control of project reporting to donors, namely against project results framework and indicators. Project donor reporting is the responsibility of the Project Managers.
• Facilitate risk analysis processes (conducted by Project Managers) on a quarterly basis, based on the projects´ risk register defined for each project of the portfolio.
• Follow up and review periodic score card reports and analyse it to support decision making at regional and managerial level.
• Support the Regional Program Coordinator in coordinating the collection of information and in providing inputs for the Annual Regional Report and other institutional reports requested by the Regional Director, following IUCN guidelines and procedures.
• Support the project manager to monitor and update the project´s data and status in the IUCN Project Portal.
• Provide input and orientation to Project Managers in the finalization and closure of projects according to IUCN requirements, including orientation on the Project Portal.
• Following IUCN and Donor procedures and policies for external evaluations, support project managers in the elaboration of ToR and organization of the evaluation process; Support review of evaluation deliverables, facilitation of preparation of management response, and overall support on evaluation management when required. Responsible for uploading the evaluation external report at the UICN database.
Working under the direct supervision of the South American Program Coordinator, with technical guidance from the ORMACC Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Coordinator, the South American Portfolio MEL Coordinator is responsible for providing guidance on the design and implementation of planning, monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes that ensure adequate measure of the project’s/projects’ performance against donor and IUCN performance standards. This includes providing guidance in developing, managing, and implementing the project’s planning, monitoring, and evaluation components, contributing to the development of respective workplans and budgets to ensure sufficient resourcing for performance and accountability related activities, and facilitating learning processes with the project team(s).

The South American Portfolio MEL Coordinator is also responsible for the management and implementation of the regional portfolio performance management and accountability efforts, coordinating the activities and inputs of projects team members, including with partners and IUCN Members, ensuring quality assurance and alignment with institutional policies, practices, standards, and systems, including the Project Guidelines and Standards (PGS), the Project Appraisal and Approval System (PAAS), and other donor specific contractual requirements.

She/he also supports the Regional Program Coordinator in IUCN SUR in ensuring that projects risk management and environmental and social safeguards under the IUCN Enterprise Risk Management Policy and the IUCN Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) are embedded in the design of interventions and effectively implemented.

As a subject matter expert on performance, planning, monitoring, evaluation, and learning, she/he provides technical support and capacity development to project managers and project team members.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Design of new projects and programs
1. Through technical expertise and operational guidance, support project managers and project teams on designing of new projects and programs, leading on the preparation of the theory of change, results framework, and monitoring and evaluation plans.
2. Ensure alignment of the intervention results and indicators with IUCN strategic goals and priorities (global, regional, national, and thematic) and with the principles laid out in the One Programme Charter.
3. Provide input on the level of effort and resources required to support all planned performance and accountability activities of new proposals.
4. Ensure the preparation of monitoring tools, including quantitative and qualitative indicators, and MEAL processes.
5. Support the formulation of baseline measures and targets during proposal writing and project inception.
Planning, implementing, monitoring and reporting
6. Coordinate regional input from project managers to institutional annual cycle of planning, monitoring and reporting (both, unrestricted and restricted funding).
7. Quality control of Annual Operating Plans developed by project managers and project teams.
8. Track, monitor and evaluate regional project portfolio in the IUCN Programme and Project Portal and through other tools use in the region (a.e.: Smartsheet). Support the Project Managers to maintain accurate project data in the IUCN Programme and Project Portal.
9. Contribute to the development and implementation of regional performance criteria to facilitate decision making for a strategic and effective portfolio management.
10. Support project managers in the implementation of monitoring tools and processes to ensure that project activities are on-track and contributing to the achievement of stated performance objectives, results, the IUCN Programme, and contractual obligations.
11. Ensure that the performance measurement frameworks of each project enable accurate and effective quantitative and qualitative measurement of progress and delivery of the project, through time bound milestones and targets, and clear indicators for measuring progress and results.
12. Guide project managers and project teams in the collection, analysis, and synthesizing data and information to monitor and assess performance to support reporting and decision making. This can include coordinating with partners and IUCN Members.
13. Support project managers in the identification of key annual products and internal coordination for its effective development. Integrate these key products within the regional learning process.
14. Advocate for and facilitate the proactive use of performance and results information in decision-making and adaptive management across the project through the preparation of technical inputs from monitoring data and as a subject-matter expert on performance dashboards.
15. Guide project managers in the preparation of technical inputs for reports and other evidence-based communications on progress internally and to the donor, by coordinating, controlling quality and synthesizing monitoring and reporting data.
16. Support project managers in the identification and mitigation of risks, in the development of risk management tools and ensure project risk register is regularly monitored and updated.
17. Support the Project Managers in meeting IUCN requirements for formal project finalisation and closure (standards for documenting outcomes and lessons learned).
Evaluation and learning
18. Manage independent evaluations of the project in coordination with the Centre MEL Coordinator (who plays an assurance role) and support of the Hub ORMACC-SUR: draft evaluation ToRs, provide technical inputs, provide quality assurance on evaluation deliverables, contribute to facilitation or drafting of management responses and ensure projects comply with the IUCN Evaluation Policy requirements for evaluation at midterm and end of the project.
19. Support and provide inputs to supervision missions, including providing analyses or reports of progress against indicators. May be occasionally requested to participate in supervision missions of other projects.
20. Advocate for and facilitate the proactive use of monitoring and evaluation information to support data-driven project management at all stages of projects cycle (promoting adaptive management and learning).
21. Promote project, programme and institutional learning through the design and facilitation of internal evaluative work, learning events or other mechanisms that capture, synthesize and share lessons and best-practices.
22. Contribute to communications with information stemming from the monitoring, evaluation and learning system.

Capacities and learning
23. Build capacity of project team staff, partners and Members on MEL policies and tools through ongoing training and coaching.
24. Provide technical advisory, operational guidance and capacity building to the project teams and project managers on performance and accountability to support implementation and adaptive management, including on appropriate monitoring and data collection methods and tools.
25. Organize regional knowledge and exchange meetings with the project teams and regional partners, and act as focal point with ORMACC for organizing joint Knowledge Days.
26. Support in systematizing learning information from the regional project portfolio.

Other duties
27. Share lessons, provide advice, raise issues, and identify current or emerging risks to the implementation of the policies and controls – with both direct and functional line managers.
28. Carry out other relevant tasks assigned by, and mutually agreed with, the direct and functional line managers.
29. Contribute to the recruitment, hiring and on-boarding of new project MEL officers.

Please Note: The above TORs contain the main responsibilities and duties of this position. However, in an ever-evolving organisation 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 TORs. Where any task becomes a regular part of staff member’s responsibilities, the TORs should be changed in consultation between the manager, the staff member, and the HR Unit. Any one of the three may initiate the consultation.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in environmental studies, biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, planning, management or social sciences, economics, public policy, business administration, or a related subject matter.

• Demonstrated proficiency in the fields of performance and accountability, results measurement methods and management in conservation, development, or other relevant sectors.

• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and managing complex monitoring and evaluation for multi-country, multi-partner or multi-sector projects in conservation, development, or other relevant sectors in the region.

• At least 8 years of experience in monitoring, evaluation and learning for international projects or programmes or portfolios in the conservation or development sector.

• Substantial experience in project implementation and monitoring in South America

• At least 4 years of experience incorporating gender and social inclusion components in conservation and development regional projects.

• At least 4 years of experience in working with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in South America.

• Knowledge of the application of environmental and social safeguards, working experience in this area is a plus.

• Experience of work with different international donors is required. Experience with GEF or GCF projects is an asset.

• Excellent organisation and communication skills with broad international experience and a proven ability to engage across levels of an organisation and across geographies.

• Group facilitation skills and experience with application of monitoring and evaluation methodologies.

• Excellent ability to collate, analyse and synthesize information to deliver clear reports to facilitate management decision-making.

• Proficiency in data management and analysis, with strong statistical skills is a plus.

• Proficiency with data management and/or project management software and tools (e.g., Smartsheet, Kobo toolbox, PowerBI, SQL, and other related tools) is highly desirable.

• Experience with institutional knowledge management and learning is an asset

• Capacity to work collaboratively within a diverse and multi-cultural team.

• Excellent writing skills (in English and Spanish) to deliver clear and concise reports.

• Strong regional networks in conservation and development.

• Availability to travel in the region and eventually abroad.

• Fluency in English and Spanish is a requirement and working proficiency in Portuguese is desirable.
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: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/

About IUCN

IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.

Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.

IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.

Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being.

www.iucn.org
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Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements