Vacancy #: 7365 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 BACKGROUND IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, was founded in 1948 and brings together over 1,100 members (States, government agencies, NGOs and affiliates) and some 11,000 scientists and experts from 181 countries in a unique worldwide partnership. Its 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. Within the framework of global conventions IUCN has helped over 75 countries to prepare and implement national conservation and biodiversity strategies. IUCN has approximately 1,100 staff, most of whom are located in its regional and country offices while some 150 work at its Headquarters in Gland, Switzerland. IUCN is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from qualified women and men.
The salary for this position is £35k per annum. JOB DESCRIPTION CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES
The Green Status of Species Programme Officer performs a key role within the Red List Unit, coordinating a range of important work necessary to deliver and maintain high standards related to the Green Status of Species as included within one of IUCN’s key Knowledge Products, The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. This includes work on reviewing and processing of Green Status assessments submitted for publication on The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™; overseeing assessment work or conducting assessments with relevant experts; facilitating Green Status training courses, including courses for Assessors; updating Green Status training materials and develop a course; being the lead person handling queries concerning the Green Status data; and carrying out specific project work as required. The incumbent also provides general support to the Red List Unit helping with managing Green Status content on the Red List website, responding to media requests, and helping at Red List meetings as required. Much of the work requires close liaison and collaboration with other Red List Unit staff, staff from other IUCN offices, the Green Status Working Group, the relevant IUCN SSC Specialist Groups and with project partners.
SPECIFIC DUTIES
Processing Green Status assessments for Red List updates
• Process assessments submitted for publication on the Red List ensuring that the Green Status standard is applied correctly and the assessments meet the required supporting information standards.
• Check and finalise indigenous range maps and maps of spatial units.
• Check and finalise Supplementary Information materials
• Liaise with members of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC), Red List Partner staff and other external assessors to improve assessment quality where necessary.
Contribution to other activities associated with Red List updates
• Assist in checking functionality and data on the test Red List web site to ensure Green Status assessment information has uploaded correctly and that website functionality is working.
• Assist with the inclusion of Green Status information in media materials for the Red List launches and any other associated products.
• Be available for media interviews on the Green Status assessments if required.
Green Status training resources
• Lead on development and maintenance of course syllabus and training materials for Green Status Training workshops.
• Lead on organising and facilitating Green Status webinars to provide advanced training/guidance.
• Work with Red List Unit staff managing the Red List Trainers’ Course to develop and incorporate a component to train Green Status Trainers.
Green Status workshops
• Travel internationally for to attend Green Status training and assessment workshops (no more than four to six weeks per year).
• For Green Status Assessment workshops, provide facilitation and guidance for groups of experts to reach consensus on appropriate Green Status assessments.
• For Green Status Training workshops, facilitate delivery of the course syllabus.
Overseeing the Green Status Standard
• Represent the IUCN Secretariat at meetings of the Green Status Working Group and where required, participate in Red List Scientific Committee or other Red List-related Working Groups as required.
• Work with the Green Status Working Group to periodically review and update the Green Status Guidelines.
• Work with the Green Status Working Group to test and finalise the Regional Green Status Guidelines and to periodically review and update these as required.
• Work with the Conservation Informatics team to ensure that changes or enhancements to the Green Status module in the current and future versions of the Species Information Service (SIS) are done correctly.
• Work with the Conservation Informatics team to ensure that the Green Status data is correctly exported for publication on the Red List website and in the Red List API.
Coordinating Green Status Projects
• Coordinate assessment work (including any training and subcontracting of relevant experts), as required by projects.
• Assist with or lead on the development of Green Status funding proposals to support the Green Status work.
• Coordinate project execution and delivery
• Prepare project technical and financial reports as required.
Improving public-facing Green Status content and communications
• Create new Green Status content for the Red List website and ensure assigned pages / sections are kept up to date.
• Provide technical expertise to assist communications colleagues in responding to media enquiries.
Supporting other Red List Unit activities as required
• Contribute to meetings and workshops, as required.
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 compiling Green Status of Species assessments.
Skills
• Required to pass the advanced level (?90%) online IUCN Red List Training course exam.
• Required to pass the online Green Status of Species course exam.
• Proficiency in the use of computer software programs.
• 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.
• Fluency in French and/or Spanish is advantageous.
Other requirements
Skills in web design, including use of HTML are advantageous.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Line manage or supervise junior staff and volunteers as required.
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.
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