Vacancy #: 7202 Unit: Oceania Programme Coordination Unit Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Location: Oceania Regional Office, Suva, Fiji Reporting to: Regional Programme Manager, Coordination and Integration Work percentage: 100% Grade: P2 Expected start date: 30 April 2025 Type of contract: Fixed-term (3 months) Closing date: 19 March 2025 BACKGROUND Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are actions aimed at protecting, sustainably managing, and restoring ecosystems to address major societal challenges such as climate change, disaster risk reduction, food and water security, biodiversity loss, and human health. These solutions are particularly vital in the Pacific where communities heavily rely on natural resources for livelihoods, resilience, and cultural identity. IUCN has been at the forefront of defining and promoting NbS, providing tools and support to implement these solutions effectively in various contexts.
The Senior Nature Based Solutions Officer will lead efforts in promoting, developing, and implementing Nature-based Solutions for the Pacific through the Kiwa Initiative and local projects across the Pacific region. This role will focus on enhancing awareness, capacity, and adoption of NbS, particularly tailored to the Pacific context using the Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions. JOB DESCRIPTION OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Strategy and Contextualization:
o Ensure that NbS strategies are adapted to the specific contexts of Pacific Island Countries, mobilizing local stakeholders and resources for implementation.
o Enable capacity and facilitate consensus among stakeholders on priorities and strategies for NbS, leveraging previous project outcomes and ongoing national biodiversity strategies.
• Capacity Building and Stakeholder Engagement:
o Establish and maintain strong relationships with government bodies, local authorities, academics, the private sector, NGOs, and other relevant stakeholders to foster multi-stakeholder dialogue.
o Coordinate and support multi-stakeholder platforms to ensure participatory, scientifically informed, and inclusive discussions.
• Project Management:
o Lead the planning, execution, and monitoring of NbS-related activities, ensuring compliance with IUCN and donor regulations.
o Manage project budgets, timelines, and deliverables, providing regular technical and financial reporting.
• Knowledge Sharing and Community Building:
o Contribute to the regional and global exchange of knowledge and best practices in NbS.
o Participate in and organize workshops, webinars, and community practices to build a network of NbS advocates and practitioners.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Strategy Adaptation:
o Tailor NbS strategies to national contexts, ensuring alignment with regional and global goals.
2. Capacity Building and Stakeholder Coordination:
o Support capacity building for local communities and organisations engaging in the Kiwa Initiative
o Engage with a wide array of stakeholders to drive NbS initiatives, including government, NGOs, businesses, and indigenous communities.
3. Project Execution:
o Oversee the implementation of NbS projects, from planning to reporting, ensuring high standards and donor satisfaction.
4. Communication and Advocacy:
o Work with communication teams to highlight success stories and advocate for broader NbS adoption. REQUIREMENTS • REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Education: Postgraduate degree in fields like Environmental Science, Conservation Biology, Sustainable Development, or related areas; MBA advantageous.
• Experience: Over 8 years in conservation or sustainability, with significant project management experience, especially in engaging public, private, and civil society sectors on policy matters.
• Language: Bilingual and Fluent in French and English as working languages for IUCN
REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:
• Knowledge of NbS and its application across biodiversity frameworks and environmental policies in the Pacific.
• Experience in forming alliances and platforms for environmental change.
• Proficient in budget management and donor requirements.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and networking skills.
• Commitment to working with indigenous and local communities for conservation outcomes.
REQUIRED BEHAVIORAL SKILLS:
• Adherence to IUCN values, including transparency, human rights, gender equality, and environmental responsibility.
• Proactive, results-driven with the ability to work independently.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:
• Internal: Close collaboration with the Kiwa Project Coordinator, Regional Programme Manager, Senior Management, and relevant IUCN ORO staff.
• External: Engagement with national and local authorities, business leaders, academics, financial institutions, and civil society organizations. 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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