IUCN - Junior Professional, World Heritage Monitoring
Status: Open (currently receiving applications)
Vacancy : 334
Unit: World Heritage Programme
Location: Headquarters, Gland, Switzerland
Reporting to: World Heritage Conservation Officer
Work percentage: 100%
Function group: -
Expected start date: 01 April 2012
Type of contract: Max-term (until 31 March 2013)
Closing date: 04 March 2012
BACKGROUND
UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention is one of the most prestigious international agreements which aims to protect the world’s remaining natural and cultural places of outstanding universal value (OUV). The World Heritage List comprises those sites which both meet the rigorous criteria for OUV and that in principle should have the highest standards of care and management. Natural World Heritage sites are often considered as nature's “crown jewels” and include sites such as the Galapagos Islands, the Serengeti, and the Great Barrier Reef.
IUCN has a key role in the World Heritage Convention as the Advisory Body for natural and mixed sites. This role mainly involves four functions: (1) evaluating new natural and mixed properties which are proposed for inscription on the World Heritage List; (2) monitoring the state of conservation of existing natural and mixed World Heritage properties; (3) promoting a range of training and capacity building initiatives; and (4) providing guidance on the strategic implementation of the Convention. In undertaking this role IUCN draws on its expertise within the IUCN Global Protected Areas Programme (GPAP) and the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) and from other programmes and Commissions as appropriate. Key activities are implemented in close coordination with UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre and other Advisory Bodies of the World Heritage Convention and are financially supported by a contract with UNESCO.
World Heritage is one of the “flagship” products of IUCN and is an integral part of the work of IUCN’s Biodiversity Conservation Group. It is seen as making a central contribution to the achievement of the Programme Area of IUCN on “Valuing and conserving nature". It also has potential to contribute to other Programme Areas, and is a key communication tool for IUCN’s work. There is considerable potential for expanding the role of the World Heritage Convention to ensure that natural world heritage sites are used effectively to promote conservation and development efforts worldwide. IUCN is uniquely placed to influence the World Heritage Convention to achieve this.
This Junior Professional position is named in memory of PHC “Bing” Lucas and is financially supported by the MAVA Foundation. Junior Professional positions are for 12 months, with possible extension of an additional six months.
The gross annual salary for this position is CHF 60'000, subject to deductions for social security contributions and second-pillar pension, and before tax.
Applications from candidates from outside Europe are particularly encouraged for this position.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Support the preparation of the Natural Heritage Report
- Coordinate site assessments for IUCN's "Natural Heritage Report". This will involve providing ongoing support to site assessors and extensive stakeholder consultation. This report is being developed by IUCN's World Heritage Programme to communicate a global overview of the Conservation Outlook of all natural World Heritage sites.
2. Support World Heritage monitoring
- Support the preparation of State of Conservation reports for up to 60 threatened World Heritage sites for the 37th World Heritage Committee meeting.
- Carry out research on the state of conservation of natural and mixed World Heritage properties, making early and regular contact with relevant experts to request information on the state of conservation of World Heritage sites, and then verifying this information through IUCN and WCPA networks and IUCN Global and Regional Programmes as appropriate.
- Support the organization of selected reactive monitoring missions to World Heritage sites.
- Assist with continual improvements to the filing and archiving systems for World Heritage properties.
3. Support World Heritage communications activities
- Contribute to content for communications materials (e.g. web stories, press releases, articles etc.) on World Heritage, writing newsletters and updating the WCPA website on World Heritage.
- Support the preparation of the ‘Natural World Heritage Newsletter’ aimed at World Heritage site managers, IUCN members, World Heritage Convention State Parties, WCPA and the wider conservation network.
- Assist as required in the functioning of the IUCN-WCPA World Heritage Advisory Network.
3. Other
- Provide support to the World Heritage evaluation process as required.
- Assist in the preparation of fundraising proposals to reinforce IUCN’s work on World Heritage.
- Other duties, related to the implementation of the annual World Heritage contracts and overall work of the World Heritage Programme, as discussed and agreed with the line manager.
REQUIREMENTS
• A degree in environmental management and/or natural resources conservation and management, and ideally a masters level qualification in a subject relevant to the position.
• At least 6 months’ relevant work or research experience, and ideally a longer period in a relevant field. In particular, field experience in protected areas.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and spoken English is essential for this position. A high standard of written and spoken French and/or Spanish is a strong advantage. English and French are the working languages of the World Heritage Convention and the majority of business is carried out through English.
• A demonstrable commitment to using the opportunity of the position as a platform for professional development.
• A strong aptitude and ability to communicate both informally (interpersonal skills and networking) and formally (presentations).
• Ability to work independently and deliver quality products within agreed tight deadlines.
• Desired
- Experience in international conservation policy and an understanding of the World Heritage Convention.
- Willingness to travel.
- Experience working in a cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment.
- Written and spoken skills in other working languages of UNESCO (Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Chinese).
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/
Vacancy : 334
Unit: World Heritage Programme
Location: Headquarters, Gland, Switzerland
Reporting to: World Heritage Conservation Officer
Work percentage: 100%
Function group: -
Expected start date: 01 April 2012
Type of contract: Max-term (until 31 March 2013)
Closing date: 04 March 2012
BACKGROUND
UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention is one of the most prestigious international agreements which aims to protect the world’s remaining natural and cultural places of outstanding universal value (OUV). The World Heritage List comprises those sites which both meet the rigorous criteria for OUV and that in principle should have the highest standards of care and management. Natural World Heritage sites are often considered as nature's “crown jewels” and include sites such as the Galapagos Islands, the Serengeti, and the Great Barrier Reef.
IUCN has a key role in the World Heritage Convention as the Advisory Body for natural and mixed sites. This role mainly involves four functions: (1) evaluating new natural and mixed properties which are proposed for inscription on the World Heritage List; (2) monitoring the state of conservation of existing natural and mixed World Heritage properties; (3) promoting a range of training and capacity building initiatives; and (4) providing guidance on the strategic implementation of the Convention. In undertaking this role IUCN draws on its expertise within the IUCN Global Protected Areas Programme (GPAP) and the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) and from other programmes and Commissions as appropriate. Key activities are implemented in close coordination with UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre and other Advisory Bodies of the World Heritage Convention and are financially supported by a contract with UNESCO.
World Heritage is one of the “flagship” products of IUCN and is an integral part of the work of IUCN’s Biodiversity Conservation Group. It is seen as making a central contribution to the achievement of the Programme Area of IUCN on “Valuing and conserving nature". It also has potential to contribute to other Programme Areas, and is a key communication tool for IUCN’s work. There is considerable potential for expanding the role of the World Heritage Convention to ensure that natural world heritage sites are used effectively to promote conservation and development efforts worldwide. IUCN is uniquely placed to influence the World Heritage Convention to achieve this.
This Junior Professional position is named in memory of PHC “Bing” Lucas and is financially supported by the MAVA Foundation. Junior Professional positions are for 12 months, with possible extension of an additional six months.
The gross annual salary for this position is CHF 60'000, subject to deductions for social security contributions and second-pillar pension, and before tax.
Applications from candidates from outside Europe are particularly encouraged for this position.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Support the preparation of the Natural Heritage Report
- Coordinate site assessments for IUCN's "Natural Heritage Report". This will involve providing ongoing support to site assessors and extensive stakeholder consultation. This report is being developed by IUCN's World Heritage Programme to communicate a global overview of the Conservation Outlook of all natural World Heritage sites.
2. Support World Heritage monitoring
- Support the preparation of State of Conservation reports for up to 60 threatened World Heritage sites for the 37th World Heritage Committee meeting.
- Carry out research on the state of conservation of natural and mixed World Heritage properties, making early and regular contact with relevant experts to request information on the state of conservation of World Heritage sites, and then verifying this information through IUCN and WCPA networks and IUCN Global and Regional Programmes as appropriate.
- Support the organization of selected reactive monitoring missions to World Heritage sites.
- Assist with continual improvements to the filing and archiving systems for World Heritage properties.
3. Support World Heritage communications activities
- Contribute to content for communications materials (e.g. web stories, press releases, articles etc.) on World Heritage, writing newsletters and updating the WCPA website on World Heritage.
- Support the preparation of the ‘Natural World Heritage Newsletter’ aimed at World Heritage site managers, IUCN members, World Heritage Convention State Parties, WCPA and the wider conservation network.
- Assist as required in the functioning of the IUCN-WCPA World Heritage Advisory Network.
3. Other
- Provide support to the World Heritage evaluation process as required.
- Assist in the preparation of fundraising proposals to reinforce IUCN’s work on World Heritage.
- Other duties, related to the implementation of the annual World Heritage contracts and overall work of the World Heritage Programme, as discussed and agreed with the line manager.
REQUIREMENTS
• A degree in environmental management and/or natural resources conservation and management, and ideally a masters level qualification in a subject relevant to the position.
• At least 6 months’ relevant work or research experience, and ideally a longer period in a relevant field. In particular, field experience in protected areas.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and spoken English is essential for this position. A high standard of written and spoken French and/or Spanish is a strong advantage. English and French are the working languages of the World Heritage Convention and the majority of business is carried out through English.
• A demonstrable commitment to using the opportunity of the position as a platform for professional development.
• A strong aptitude and ability to communicate both informally (interpersonal skills and networking) and formally (presentations).
• Ability to work independently and deliver quality products within agreed tight deadlines.
• Desired
- Experience in international conservation policy and an understanding of the World Heritage Convention.
- Willingness to travel.
- Experience working in a cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment.
- Written and spoken skills in other working languages of UNESCO (Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Chinese).
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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