MESCAL Technical Officer

Closing date:

11 May 2012

BACKGROUND

The IUCN Oceania Regional Office seeks to recruit suitably qualified nationals of Pacific Island nations for the position of MESCAL Technical Officer, based in Fiji.

(Special note: For those who have applied for this position the first time it was advertised need not re-apply)
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Mangrove ecosystems in the Pacific islands have been gradually decreasing in area, despite the recognition that they provide many products and services of immeasurable value. They are the first line of defence against many of the effects of climate change and climate related extreme events. On average the Pacific has seen a loss of almost 13% of mangroves across the region over the past fifty years. While species may vary between countries, the underlying drivers of mangrove degradation and loss are similar, according to regional mangrove managers and specialists in the Pacific.
Given the importance of mangrove ecosystems, IUCN has developed the Pacific Mangrove Initiative (PMI). The primary goal of the PMI is to increase resilience to climate change by assisting Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) implement sound evidence based policies, plans and practices and targeted capacity development in mangrove management.
Under this initiative, IUCN has developed the Mangrove EcoSystems for Climate Change and Livelihood (MESCAL) project, funded by the German Government. The primary goal of this project is to increase resilience to climate change for the people of the Pacific Island countries through the co-management of mangroves and associated ecosystems in Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Samoa and Tonga. This is an interdisciplinary applied research and development project aimed at helping countries invest in the management of mangroves and associated ecosystems. MESCAL project activities will include demonstration sites, governance, economics, carbon sequestration, knowledge and information, communication and learning. The Technical officer will be part of the Project Management Unit (PMU) located in the IUCN Oceania Regional Office, Suva, Fiji.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Scope of Responsibilities:
1. Monitor the work of the technical back stoppers and ensure timely delivery of their Terms of Reference;
2. Liaise between the technical back stoppers, in-country experts and the PMU in the gathering of national baseline information;
3. Conduct regular monitoring visits to countries as directed by the Water & Wetlands Programme Coordinator;
4. Liaise with technical experts in the production of knowledge products;
5. Assist the Water & Wetlands Coordinator in the preparation of annual reports for the donor;
6. Represent the PMU at relevant meetings as required
7. Assist the technical experts in the delivery of training activities, operation of regional workshops, and the development of awareness materials and activities.

REQUIREMENTS

• Education
Minimum of a Masters degree in the field of natural resource management, coastal ecology or related field

• Work Experience
• At least 3 years of relevant project implementation experience in the Pacific.
• Knowledge of mangrove ecology would be highly desirable.
• Working knowledge of GIS would also be highly desirable

• Competencies
• Excellent command of written and spoken English; demonstrated ability for report writing and ability to communicate to a wide range of audiences and cultures.
• Ability to speak in one of the languages of the MESCAL countries.
• Must be agreeable to regular travel within the Pacific region

• (Special note: Applications from qualified nationals of Pacific Island nations will be highly desirable)

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/