Vacancy #: 6974 Unit: ESARO Mozambique Programme Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Location: Mozambique Country Office, Maputo, Mozambique Reporting to: Programme Manager, IUCN Mozambique Work percentage: 100% Grade: P1 Expected start date: 01 August 2025 Type of contract: (24 months) Closing date: 03 July 2025 BACKGROUND THIS IS A LOCAL POSITION
BACKGROUND:
The IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) runs a number of Regional and Country based projects. Some of these projects include provincial and district-based sub offices and Knowledge Hubs. The project teams and the Knowledge Hubs work together with IUCN Academy and the Provincial Directorates of (1) Agriculture and Artisanal Fisheries, (2) Environment and Territorial Development and (3) Ministry of Science, Technology and higher Education. They link to the central level via the respective Ministries and/or National Funds and Agencies.
With funds from the International Climate Initiative a consortium composed by IUCN and Care Moz, in partnership with LIPs, will start the implementation of a community-based Climate Initiative, which will operate in Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In Mozambique the project will be implemented at Districts of Mabote (Including Zinave National Park), Govuro, Inhassoro and Vilankulos, in Inhambane Province. The project includes ecosystems-based land use plans, community-based adaptation training and environmental education, landscape restoration, Knowledge Hubs on Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR), Climate and Livelihoods Resilience and Environmental Clubs. The Knowledge Hubs work together with IUCN Academy and the Provincial Directorates of (1) ANAC and the Bazaruto National Park Management, (2) Agriculture and Artisanal Fisheries, (2) Environment and Territorial Development and (3) Ministry of Science, Technology and higher Education. They link to the central level via the respective Ministries and/or National Funds and Agencies.
To strengthen the project implementation team and the overall integration of projects into the programme and in the Hub, IUCN seeks to recruit a Nature-based Solution (NBS) Officer, to be based in Vilankulos, and support the activities of the International Climate Initiative (IKI) funded Community based Adaptation project, as well as other related activities as requested by the supervisors, which will cover the districts of Mabote, Govuro, Inhassoro and Vilankulos. This will be local recruitment and the position will be located in the Vilankulos IUCN sub-Office, with travel in the intervened districts requested. This is a full-time position for the 2024-2027 period, with possible extensions within the project period, depending on good deliverables and evaluation.
The NBS Officer will be integrated in the wider project regional team and IUCN Mozambique Country Office. S/he will support prepare and monitor the projects sustainable land and seascape restoration and land development, and supervise sustainable socio-economic practices and activities, as well as sustainable ecosystems restoration, inclusive of roles for the communities, roles for climate resilient initiatives and alternative income generating activities, such as agroforestry systems.
The NBS Officer will support deliver the CBA Scale project activities in the province related to strengthen nature-based solutions to restore ecosystems, conserve and enhance biodiversity, land protection, and livelihood co-benefits in Selected hinterland biodiversity areas affected by extreme droughts (Mabote, Govuro) and the coast affected by floods, cyclones and erosion (Inhassoro, Vilankulos) in the context of the Great Limpopo Biodiversity Corridor and Coastal KBAs. S/he will be responsible for the overall implementation of the land systems and Biodiversity Corridors, the NBS officer will plan, supervise delivery and ensure integrated GIS and scenario development information, on a basis of an integrated ecosystem, and propose restoration and sustainable development activities, including supervising the training and ToT for the Corridor communities engaged in the projects. JOB DESCRIPTION MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
The NBS Officer will work under the supervision and guidance of the Mozambique Country Representative. S/he will also work closely with the project manager, relevant technical specialists, and project officers. S/he will be responsible for the oversight and implementation of the project assigned to her/him to ensure quality planning, budgeting, and oversight of implementation, reporting, and monitoring and evaluation for timely delivery of quality results/products. As also the role to establish strong coordination and linkages amongst all the major stakeholders in the field/district level to ensure that project activities are implemented successfully.
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
Develop the natural resources management program and all activities related to the management of natural resources, prepare work plans, identify supervise community-based groups as restoration/implementing partners and establish effective partnerships with them for the proper delivery of program activities and achievement of project’s goals.
Engage in supporting specific project implementation activities, with relevance to innovative approaches and best practices on community-based adaptation and mainstreaming of NbS issues.
Develop, in dialogue with the M&E specialist of the Management Unit and other members of the technical team, a system for monitoring and evaluating ecosystems, EBA/CBA/natural resources/forest management projects in order to guarantee adaptive management and learning.
Support to ensure quality planning (annual and quarterly work-plans), reporting, and monitoring and evaluation of projects.
Provide timely and quality information to the Coordinator of the Management Unit in relation to activities carried out and planned within the scope of forest resource management.
Guide the Communications for development team in the development of manuals and practical guides on restoration activities, including agriculture and coastal activities and degraded natural ecosystems, for improved climate resilience and alternative and sustainable income generating activities.
Co-create NbS training materials for the project target communities and curate online learning materials for the knowledge Hub.
Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice, including relevant national, regional and/or global networks.
Support the implementation of a communication, dissemination and dissemination strategy for lessons learned within the scope of natural resources/ecosystems/forest management during the implementation of activities.
Support presentations to IUCN teams and to donors to support mobilization of the financial and human resources necessary for the effective implementation of program activities within the scope of ecosystems and natural resources management.
Maintain dialogue and continuous flow of information with colleagues and teams in similar roles in other IUCN departments, and with relevant government institutions.
Ensure adequate involvement in the Projects and in the field of ecosystems/natural resources/forest management.
Ensuring that issues relevant to the management of crosscutting Ecosystems and natural resources management are adequately mainstreamed in the actions carried out by the projects´ teams.
Ensure monitoring of IUCN and donor standards and cross cutting themes.
Ensuring that IUCN’s work in the country is of high technical quality, based on good science and drawing upon state-of-the-art thinking and knowledge.
Carry out other relevant tasks assigned by, and mutually agreed with, the direct and co-direct line managers.
In consultation with supervisors, ensure that IUCN is adequately represented in relevant country fora and facilitate discussions on relevant marine and coastal emerging issues to position IUCN as a reference in the country.
Perform other duties as may be assigned from time to time. REQUIREMENTS • POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Education;
At least a degree in environment, climate change, natural resources or related fields.
Computer literacy in relation to office applications (word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint) use of internet and online communication tools).
Work Experience;
At least 5 years sound expertise in Nature Based Solutions for climate change adaptation and professional experience in environmental conservation, ecosystem management, or related fields.
Experience with project management, including planning, implementation, and monitoring of NbS projects.
Proven track record of working on projects related to climate adaptation, mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable land use.
Expertise and experience in engaging local stakeholders in locally led management activities and multi-use areas, ideally at a large-scale/seascape level.
Familiarity with established and emerging biodiversity conservation approaches, and methodologies and processes related to coastal and marine management and in particular in the context of the newly established Global Biodiversity Framework and 30x30 target.
Experience with result-based portfolio and project cycle management, monitoring and evaluation methodologies and principles and facilitation skills.
Demonstrated ability to work under pressure managing competing demands and complex situations and deliver satisfactory and timely results.
Must be a strong team player with proven communication and diplomacy skills and ability to work effectively with multicultural and multidisciplinary teams displaying sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Must be a proactive individual who is able organize herself/himself.
Committed to continuous learning and proactive and mature attitude towards self-development.
Language requirement;
Excellent verbal and communication skills in Portuguese and English is essential, with ability to communicate in local language as an added advantage.
Core Competencies;
Transparency: Able to build trust and contribute to informed and responsible decision making by carrying out the work of IUCN in a transparent manner; provides clear guidance to ensure that objectives and desired measurable results are understood by members of the team.
Inclusiveness: Understands and accepts cultural diversity, and provide a tolerant, positive and supportive working environment that fosters respect for diversity, demonstrates ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds.
Professionalism: Promote the organization’s interests, objectives and values in a diligent and professional manner.
Accountability: Takes responsibility of individual and collective actions, promotes the IUCN One Programme approach.
Functional competencies;
Adheres to IUCN core values of Transparency, Inclusiveness, Professionalism and Accountability.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Ability to manage complex situations and facilitate the establishment of networks and multi-stakeholder participatory processes.
Be willing to undertake frequent local travel and interact with different stakeholders. 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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