Vacancy #: 7366 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 Programme Officer performs a key role within the Red List Unit, processing Red List assessments for one of IUCN’s key Knowledge Products, The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. This includes work on reviewing and processing of submitted assessments written in Portuguese or Spanish, for publication on The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™; facilitating assessment or review workshops with relevant experts; facilitating Red List training workshops; and carrying out specific project work as required. The Programme Officer will assist in maintaining Portuguese and Spanish language versions of materials, including checking and updating translated versions of Red List Training resources (for the online Red List Training course and in-person training workshops); translation and maintenance of Spanish versions of pages on the IUCN Red List website; and proofreading Spanish translations of media releases. The incumbent also provides general support to the Red List Unit by assisting or leading on finding images for use in social media and other fund-raising campaigns; jointly responding to general enquiries to The IUCN Red List; and assisting with Red List meetings, as required. Much of the work requires close liaison and collaboration with other Red List Unit staff, staff from other IUCN units, the relevant IUCN SSC Specialist Groups, and project partners.
SPECIFIC DUTIES
Processing assessments for Red List updates
• Carry out quality checks and proofreading for assessments submitted in English, Spanish and Portuguese for publication on The IUCN Red List, ensuring that the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria are applied correctly, and the assessments meet the required supporting information standards.
• Check spatial data submitted with assessments to ensure the distribution maps meet the required standards outlined in the Mapping Standards and Data Quality for IUCN Red List Spatial Data.
• Liaise with members of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and other assessors to improve assessment quality where necessary.
• Where necessary, create corrected assessments and edit taxonomy in the Species Information Service (SIS) data management system.
Contribution to other activities associated with Red List updates
• Assist in checking functionality and data on the test Red List web site to ensure assessment information has uploaded correctly and that website functionality is working.
• Where required, assist with preparation of media materials, including checking Spanish translations, for the Red List media releases and other associated communications products.
Red List workshops
• Travel internationally to attend Red List training and assessment/review workshops, as required (no more than four to six weeks per year).
• Provide facilitation and guidance for groups of experts participating in assessment/review workshops, to help them reach a consensus on appropriate Red List assessments.
• Lead or assist with organising and facilitating Red List Assessor Training workshops.
• Facilitate, or co-facilitate Red List Trainers’ Course workshops held in Spanish or Portuguese.
• Assist with organising and facilitating Red List webinars to provide advanced training/guidance to Spanish and Portuguese speaking audiences.
Translation Work
• Assist with finalisation, release and ongoing maintenance of the Portuguese version of the online Red List Training course.
• Update the Spanish version of the online Red List Training course, as required.
• Assist with updating Spanish and Portuguese versions of the resources used for Red List Assessor Training workshops.
• Assist with organising and facilitating Red List webinars to provide advanced training/guidance for Spanish and Portuguese speaking audiences.
• Update the Spanish versions of Red List web site pages to keep in line with the updated English versions and translate additional pages into Spanish.
• Check the Spanish translations of other Red List materials (e.g. the Red List Guidelines).
Improving public-facing Red List content and communications
• Assist with the creation of new content for the Red List website and ensure assigned pages/sections are kept up to date.
• Jointly respond to enquiries to the general Red List email address.
• Provide technical expertise to assist communications colleagues in responding to media enquiries.
Supporting other Red List Unit activities as required
• Assist with or lead on finding images for Red List social media and fund-raising activities.
• Assist with preparation of funding proposals for new assessment projects, as required.
• Assist with the preparation of project technical reports 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 the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria and the Red List assessment process.
Skills
• Good understanding of the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria and the Red List assessment process.
• Required to pass the advanced level (?90%) online IUCN Red List Training course exam.
• Proficiency in the use of computer software programs and experience in data analysis.
• 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, Portuguese and Spanish is required.
• Fluency in French is advantageous.
Other requirements
Skills in web design, including use of HTML are advantageous.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
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.
www.iucn.org
https://twitter.com/IUCN