Programme Officer

Vacancy #:	281
Unit:	Climate Change Unit
Location:	Species Programme Office, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Reporting to:	Programme Officer
Work percentage:	100%
Function group:	P1
Expected start date:	01 September 2011
Type of contract:	Max-term (until 31 August 2012)
Closing date:	02 September 2011

BACKGROUND

The Programme Officer‘s role is to support the Global Species Programme’s activities relating to climate change. This includes developing and coordinating projects; generating technical information; running assessment workshops; surveying literature relating to climate change impacts on biodiversity; and communicating outputs to public and scientific audiences.

This position will report to the P2 level Programme Officer, Climate Change.

SALARY: The annual gross salary for this position is GBP 30,012.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Coordinate project activities on climate change
   • Assist the Programme Officer, Climate Change with development and coordination of the projects portfolio
   • Liaise with the following groups/units to coordinate data gathering and species assessments:
   o IUCN Global Species Programme Units (Red List, Freshwater, Marine, etc.)
   o Species Survival Commission’s Specialist Groups and Task Forces (e.g. Climate Change Task Force)
   o IUCN Regional and National Offices, particularly in areas covered by projects
   
   
2. Generate technical information for projects
   • Contact scientists and experts to gather relevant species information
   • Following training, assess nominated species vulnerability to climate change
   • Conduct data analyses, including using GIS
   • Curate species information databases
   • Produce technical reports outlining results
   • Assist in the development of assessment methodology
   
   
3. Run workshops on the assessment of species vulnerability to climate change
   • Assist the Programme Officer, Climate Change with development of training materials for assessing species vulnerability to climate change
   • Organize workshops in various countries
   • Conduct training at workshops; this includes teaching assessment methods to large groups of people and facilitating data collection through small breakout groups
   
   
4. Fundraising
   • Assist the Programme Officer, Climate Change in fundraising efforts
   • Take the lead or contribute to the development of project proposals for submission to donors
   
   
5. Communicate project outputs
   • Produce written outputs including:
   - Project reports for donors and stakeholders
   - Popular articles and press releases
   - Scientific papers
   • Give oral presentations
   • Communicate results at meetings and other fora
   • Represent IUCN in technical meetings as requested
   • Deal with routine queries from members of the public
   
   
6. Survey literature relating to climate change impacts on species
   • Develop and manage the programme’s literature library
   • Gather literature and references relevant to projects
   • Synthesize and review literature to produce reports
   
   

REQUIREMENTS

• Excellent written and spoken English and at least another official IUCN language (French preferred because of ongoing projects in francophone Africa)
• A Masters in conservation or a related field
• At least 5 years of work experience in conservation or climate change science
• Knowledge of GIS
• Experience with use of databases, particularly MsAccess and/or SQL Server
• Track record of publication (reports, scientific papers, popular articles, etc.)
• Applicants must provide details of whether or not they are eligible to work in the UK. If not eligible at present, but they have applied for a work permit/visa, details of the application (particularly the Tier of Visa) must be provided.

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).

Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: http://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/

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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.