Job Vacancies at International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

JOB DESCRIPTION

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

The primary task of the Programme Officer will be to contribute to the effective implementation of a grant programme for species conservation under the SOS African Wildlife inititiave. Other tasks will include priority setting for species conservation, managing donor and partner relationships, and liaison with IUCN Programmes, Members, Commissions, and partners.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

• Ensure the efficient implementation of the Eastern and Southern Africa component of the IUCN SOS African Wildlife inititiave;
• Be responsible for the day to day management of the grants following IUCN SOS standardised procedures and in coordination with the Regional Technical Coordinator (CAS) and the Species Conservation Grants Coordinator;
• Support the development of operational guidelines and templates and contribute to preparing the documentation for the calls for proposals;
• Assist in reviewing applications received by the SOS Secretariat, including review of applications’ eligibility under SOS criteria, and supporting the SOS Technical Advisory Group review of applications;
• Liaise with the grantees;
• Monitor grants and organise and conduct project monitoring missions as well as prepare mission reports in coordination with the Regional Technical Coordinator (CAS) and the Species Conservation Grants Coordinator;
• Review progress and final reports submitted by grantees and prepare project evaluation reports;
• Lead on the data collection process for grants in Eastern and Southern Africa to feed into the SOS monitoring and evaluation framework;
• Support the organisational development and capacity building activities of SOS African Wildlife;
• Ensure timely and quality communication of the IUCN SOS African Wildlife initiative through IUCN’s regional and global communications channels;
• Contribute to drafting progress reports to the donor;
• Assist in identifying opportunities for partnerships and project development, and support IUCN SOS fundraising efforts, in consultation with the Regional Technical Coordinator (CAS) and the Species Conservation Grants Coordinator, including to ensure the continuation of the SOS African Wildlife Initiative;
• Represent IUCN ESARO and the Global Species & Key Biodiveristy Areas Programme at programme-related events;
• Carry out other relevant tasks at the request of and in agreement with the line manager.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

REQUIREMENTS

Education;

MSc degree (or higher) in biodiversity conservation, species management, environmental sciences or other relevant discipline;

Work Experience;

• Minimum of 3 years experience in the field of species conservation, preferably involving on-the-ground conservation activities;
• Experience in grant making or project management, with strong project management skills at multiple levels including planning, implementation, reporting, and monitoring;
• Proven ability to work with multi-disciplinary groups, including governments, experts and civil society;
• Good knowledge of IUCN standards and knowledge tools for species conservation;
• Knowledge of and experience with the main species conservation challenges in the region
• Fundraising experience

Language Proficiency;

Excellent fluency in spoken and written English. Proficiency in one or more other languages spoken in the region would be an asset;

Functional competencies;

• Capacity to work effectively under time pressure and extended hours, if required and with prior approval of the ESARO Regional Director;
• Willingness to travel within the region, sometimes at short notice (the Programme Officer will be required to travel frequently);
• Computer literacy in MS Office packages;
• Excellent organizational and networking skills;
• Team-oriented attitude and ability to work independently

Core Competencies;

• Transparency: Able to build trust and contribute to informed and responsible decision making by carrying out the work of IUCN in a transparent manner; provides clear guidance to ensure that objectives and desired measurable results are understood by members of the team.
• Inclusiveness: Understands and accepts cultural diversity, and provide a tolerant, positive and supportive working environment that fosters respect for diversity, demonstrates ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds.
• Professionalism: Promote the organization’s interests, objectives and values in a diligent and professional manner.
• Accountability: Takes responsibility of individual and collective actions, promotes the IUCN One Programme approach.

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REQUIREMENTS

Education;

At least a Master’s-level degree in natural resource management, international development, or related field of study.

Work Experience;

• 10 years of experience in successfully managing conservation and/or international programs or projects of similar scope and scale, preferably USAID-funded projects in Eastern Africa;
• Proven ability to effectively work and collaborate with regional economic communities, national government authorities and other stakeholders. Specific experience working with the East African Community a distinct advantage; familiarity with the relevant EAC policies, strategies and governance mechanisms a distinct advantage
• Extensive familiarity with US Government Project management, administrative and regulatory requirements, inclusive of experience in managing multi-partner USG-funded projects in natural resource management or related sector
• Proven leadership in the management, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of large-scale international donor-supported programs
• Proven experience in managing and coordinating multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams, and effective human resources management
• Fundraising experience including writing project proposals and concepts;
• Extensive experience organising, coordinating and facilitating international conferences, meetings, workshops and other consultations
• Demonstrated expertise in biodiversity conservation, such as protected area management, community-based natural resource management, and/or related topics. Good knowledge of major regional challenges and opportunities, particularly related to illegal wildlife trade and trans boundary ecosystems in East Africa

Language Proficiency;

Excellent proficiency in written and spoken English.

Core Competencies;

• Transparency: Able to build trust and contribute to informed and responsible decision making by carrying out the work of IUCN in a transparent manner; provides clear guidance to ensure that objectives and desired measurable results are understood by members of the team.
• Inclusiveness: Understands and accepts cultural diversity, and provide a tolerant, positive and supportive working environment that fosters respect for diversity, demonstrates ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds.
• Professionalism: Promote the organization’s interests, objectives and values in a diligent and professional manner.
• Accountability: Takes responsibility of individual and collective actions, promotes the IUCN One Programme approach.

Functional competencies;

• Highly motivated and results-oriented individual
• Demonstrated ability to work with limited supervision to prioritize tasking and manage workflow in a high pressure environment;
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong skills in strategic planning, management, supervision, and budgeting.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, culturally sensitive, and ability to lead or work effectively as a team member with respect for diversity;
• Proven ability to develop and communicate a common vision among diverse partners
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills;
• High proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), able to use social media and other relevant communication tools and methods to further the objectives of the project
• Committed to continuous learning and proactive and mature attitude towards self-development;
• Willing to travel frequently within the Eastern Africa region