Programme Officer Business & Nature

The Programme Officer, Business & Nature supports the coordination and implementation of IUCN’s Business & Nature activities related to key areas (1) and (3) to support the delivery of measurable Nature Positive outcomes aligned with IUCN Programme targets, whilst generating high quality knowledge and learning. S/he supports the management of collaborative partnerships with global companies and public actors in sectors with important impacts on biodiversity (including but not limited to the metals and mining, aggregates, paper & pulp, or chemicals industries) and contributes to the renewal of the portfolio. In doing so, s/he will be expected to collaborate closely with the Biodiversity Assessment and Knowledge Team, other thematic Teams, IUCN’s Regional and Country Offices, as well as with Commissions, and members as necessary and to ensure that lessons learnt are integrated into the programmes policy and knowledge work.

Specific Duties And Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Senior Programme Coordinator, Business & Nature, the main duties and responsibilities include:

Project Management and Delivery:

• Provide support as required through the provision of targeted inputs on IUCN’s approach to measuring Nature Positive, the application of the mitigation hierarchy, and IUCN’s data, metrics and knowledge products (such as the Species Threat Abatement and Restoration (STAR) metric, and the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT), NbS Standard), with respect to project development, implementation, and reporting.
• Provide technical advice to internal, external partners and consultants on technical issues related to the application of these data, metrics and tools in the private sector.
• Develop tailored guidelines for the design and implementation of holistic programs/projects.
• Conduct desk research and analysis to support implementation of Business & Nature projects.
• As appropriate, take lead of assigned responsibilities for specific components of project implementation / operations and contribute to promoting the application the implementation of IUCN’s relevant policies.
• Lead on tasks such as drafting and coordinating Terms of Reference, risk assessments and due diligence, and coordinate specific consultant, Commission and/or partner inputs to ensure alignment with project outcomes.
• Compile progress reports from projects, synthesize information, track deliverables,
• Organise and facilitate meetings, workshops with stakeholders and Steering Committees with partners.
• Work with colleagues to ensure effective implementation of monitoring, evaluation and learning frameworks for project as required.

Knowledge development, communication and training:

• Contribute to developing terms of reference for knowledge outputs and support the management of leading units or consultants.
• Coordinate the development and dissemination of knowledge outputs and communication materials to promote IUCN’s work, and as appropriate, take lead and the assigned responsibility for specific components of knowledge or tool outputs.
• Contribute to review of draft publications, tools and reports as necessary across the programme of work to ensure accuracy and consistency of IUCN’s approach and liaise with team members in charge of communication and policy engagement.
• Provide specific technical advice and inputs to IUCN thematic units and regions with respect to ensuring that the development of publications, tools and knowledge are consistent with the Business & Nature Team’s business lines.
• Develop content for training and capacity building, and support the delivery of (virtual or in-person) capacity building processes through organising workshops and technical webinars in coordination with internal and external partners and with IUCN Academy as needed.

Support for networking and coordination:

• Help to establish effective internal information sharing and coordination between IUCN programmes and offices working on Nature Positive and with high impact sectors.
• Contribute to facilitating internal IUCN working groups on the measuring Nature Positive approach, tools and learning from its application by businesses.
• Represent IUCN in assigned stakeholders groups and initiatives.

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 and the Human Resources Management Group.

Requirements:

• Master’s degree in Biodiversity, Biology, Ecology, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Policy, Sustainability Management, or another relevant field. Strong grounding in biodiversity, conservation, sustainable development and social science concepts and theory, beyond immediate field of expertise.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in project delivery, and minimum 2 required in engaging and working with the private sector on biodiversity themes, with a preference for experience on the ground (environmental and/or biodiversity assessments, biodiversity net gain reviews or monitoring, certifications).
• Technical understanding of IUCN key standards and tools (in particular, IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, IUCN Red List of Ecosystems, Nature-based Solutions global standard, Species Threat Abatement and Restoration (STAR) metric, IBAT – Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool)
• Strong analytical skills and ability to work with complex data.
• Proven ability to work in multi-disciplinary groups.
• Excellent organizational and networking skills, team-oriented attitude and ability to work independently.
• Ability to take initiative, exercise good judgment, think laterally and resolve complex issues in a dynamic and changing environment.
• Experience in all phases of programme/project development, including planning, execution, monitoring & evaluation, technical and financial management and reporting.
• Experience in supporting training and other capacity building activities with an emphasis on providing access to scientific knowledge and standards to non-scientific audiences.
• Works well under pressure, with the ability to prioritise and successfully optimise the allocation of time, people, and other resources.
• Professionalism and diplomacy in communicating cross-culturally and with diverse audiences.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with meticulous attention to detail.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Proficiency in written and spoken. French and/or Spanish is desirable.

Source: https://hrms.iucn.org/iresy/index.cfm?event=vac.show&vacId=11000&lang=en