Plant Conservation Coordinator

Do you have a passion for species conservation and the determination to work within a global network to promote plant species conservation around the world? The Indianapolis Zoo Global Center for Species Survival is looking for a passionate Plant Conservation Coordinator to support the IUCN Species Survival Commission’s Plant Specialist Groups.

As part of the Global Center for Species Survival (GCSS), this role will work closely with the Indianapolis Zoo team, the Species Survival Commission (SSC) Chair’s Office, the Plant Conservation Committee and Specialist Group Chairs, and wider partners. You will support the identification of priorities, challenges and opportunities across the management of conservation data and assessments, oversee the process of conservation planning, develop action plans, and support SSC network coordination, and facilitate interactions between various partner communities, individuals and groups.

What You’ll Do

• With guidance from Chairs of plant Specialist Groups, encourage and motivate the SSC plant Groups to advance global species conservation efforts around the SSC Species Conservation Cycle (Assess-Plan-Act-Network-Communicate), with a specific focus on Plan, Act, Network, and Communicate.
• Gather and integrate knowledge and expertise into creating strategic proposals for approval, launching projects/initiatives, developing calls for action on specific species issues, and assisting in species-specific IUCN Resolutions and Recommendations.
• Contribute to and review formal, programmatic and communication documents as required, including periodic outcome and planning reporting to the SSC for the annual SSC Data process.
• Bolster collaboration across the SSC network and the constituent parts of IUCN, governments, the global botanic garden community, accredited zoo and aquarium communities and the wider conservation community to maximize the relevance and conservation impact of activities and joint projects for plant conservation.
• Build relationships with existing training programs, e.g., CLP, EDGE Fellows, Durrell Academy, to encourage emerging talent to integrate into the SSC network.
• Coordinate, implement and evaluate how the GCSS can engage with the public on issues relating to plant conservation, including locally through the zoo and globally through the development of resources, including social media communications, blogs and podcasts, graphics, and other emerging communication techniques.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor level degree in biology, ecology, botany, natural resources management or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years related work experience.
• Demonstrated experience and a good understanding of the practical aspects of biodiversity conservation actions and policy especially relating to plants.
• Working knowledge of the IUCN SSC, and leaders and stakeholders in plant conservation.
• Strong skills in project management, planning and project implementation.
• Experience with international projects and supporting new initiatives.
• International stakeholder management experience, multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience desirable.
• Experience in fundraising and/or demonstrated success in securing grants.
• Fluency in English a requirement. Fluency in other languages desired.

Why the Indianapolis Zoo?

The Indianapolis Zoological Society (IZS) is one of the largest privately funded zoos in the United States of America. As an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited institution, the mission of IZS is to empower people and communities, both locally and globally, to advance animal conservation. IZS works to achieve this mission through visitation by over one million guests each year, annual support to many field conservation projects, and the world-renowned Indianapolis Prize. IZS has a monumental goal for its community, state, country and the world – to transform the Indiana community into the most conservation-literate community in the world, with Indianapolis being considered the epicenter for species conservation worldwide.