Open Roles at International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Project Portfolio Management;

• Co-lead regional task management for the GEF-GCF portfolio by working closely with executing agencies, PMUs, technical and administrative staff from ESARO, the Regional Portfolio Manager, the Regional Programme Delivery Manager and when required, the Global Multilateral Finance Unit Director and the broader Multilateral Finance Unit.
• Manage the project pipeline and implementation portfolio using institutional tools and platforms (including the project portal), ensuring compliance with IUCN policies, procedures and guidelines for multilateral financing, as well as with GEF and GCF policies and processes.
• Provide substantive technical review of project concepts, PIFs and funding proposals against GEF focal-area and GCF investment-criteria requirements, including climate rationale, paradigm shift potential, and results framework quality, not only process and formatting compliance.
• In collaboration with the Regional Director, MFU Director and Regional Portfolio Manager, identify new project opportunities by convening internal and external stakeholders and aligning priorities with GEF, GCF and IUCN strategic agendas.
• Coordinate with GEF and GCF project development consultancy teams, including quality assurance of technical deliverables.
• Prepare periodic portfolio performance reports, including progress, financial delivery, challenges and risks, as required by IUCN and the Funds.
• Coordinate the preparation and review of annual implementation reports (GEF PIRs, GCF APRs), working with PMUs, executing agencies and IUCN teams, and ensure accurate and timely data entry into donor reporting systems.
• Coordinate the preparation, negotiation and finalization of IUCN implementation agreements with external partners, in collaboration with OLA and executing agencies.
• Review technical and financial reports in coordination with relevant thematic experts, flagging quality or compliance issues before submission rather than passing through consultant or country-office drafts unchecked.
• Ensure donor platforms (GEF, GCF) and IUCN databases are regularly updated with required information.
• Support the development of communication and knowledge materials on the project portfolio and thematic work.
• Perform any other GEF and GCF-related tasks as requested by supervisors.

Fund Mobilisation and Capacity Building;

• This function carries a more explicit resource-mobilisation and capacity-building mandate than an entry-level portfolio support role, reflecting the seniority of the position.
• Participate in, and support the design of new project proposals with countries, thematic experts and potential partners.
• Support the identification and pursuit of new co-financing and resource mobilisation opportunities for the GEF-9 and GCF pipeline, in support of the Regional Portfolio Manager's fundraising targets.
• Support the internal validation process for GEF and GCF projects, integrating feedback from the Multilateral Finance Unit and thematic leads of IUCN ESARO.
• Support the submission of proposals into donor portals, as required.

Institutional Support;

• Promote integration, teamwork and collaboration across initiatives.
• Support coordination mechanisms with IUCN Constituent Units to ensure member and Commission engagement.
• Contribute to the development of materials and content to position the region in alignment with Portfolio objectives.
• Represent IUCN at events or meetings at the request of the Regional Multilateral Programme Management.
• Digital Tools and Responsible as well as Ethical Use of AI;
• Given the volume of technical and financial documentation the portfolio generates, the postholder is expected to use available digital and AI-enabled tools ethically and responsibly to increase speed and consistency, while remaining fully accountable for the substance, accuracy and context-specificity of every output.
• Use AI-enabled tools to accelerate first-pass drafting, data synthesis, and cross-checking of technical and financial reports, portfolio data, and donor submissions, without treating tool output as a finished product.
• Apply sound technical and editorial judgement to review, correct and substantially rework any AI-assisted output before it is used: submissions must reflect the specific country, project and donor context, and must not read as generic, templated, or interchangeable across projects.
• Maintain full personal responsibility for the technical accuracy, climate rationale and results-framework integrity of any document produced with AI assistance; use of such tools does not reduce the standard of quality assurance expected of this role.
• Contribute to team practice on where AI-assisted tools genuinely save time in portfolio management (data entry, first drafts, translation, summarisation) versus where they should not be relied on (technical judgement calls, safeguards risk categorisation, donor-facing analysis requiring nuance).

Multilateral Finance Portfolio Support

• Support the Regional Portfolio Manager in administrative/operational systems management required for the regional GEF and GCF portfolio (projects in implementation and pipeline).
• Organize and document project review meetings and maintain regular engagement with PMUs and executing agencies.
• Oversee data entry and information upload on donor portals (GEF PIRs, GCF APRs, project concepts, proposals and related documentation).
• Other Responsibilities
• Perform any other tasks assigned by the line manager, as required by programme needs.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Master's degree in natural resources management, environmental science, environmental economics, climate change, project management, or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years of verifiable professional experience in project management, sustainable development, conservation, or climate change, including substantive experience with Adaptation Fund, GEF and/or GCF-funded projects.
• Strong technical background in climate change adaptation and mitigation and in biodiversity conservation, with a working understanding of GEF focal areas and GCF result areas (including forestry and land use, ecosystems and ecosystem services, and adaptation) sufficient to critically assess the technical and climate-rationale content of project design and appraisal, not only its compliance and formatting.
• Demonstrated experience in fund mobilisation or resource mobilisation for multilateral climate or environment finance, including engaging donors and identifying co-financing opportunities.
• Fluency in English required; French or Portuguese will be a strong asset given the regional footprint.
• Proficiency in computer tools and online administrative systems (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, Dropbox, Microsoft Teams) and in institutional project portals is required; proficiency in QGIS, SQL and other geospatial and data management/visualization tools/software are an advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to use AI-enabled tools to increase the efficiency and consistency of technical and administrative work, paired with the critical judgement to identify and correct generic, inaccurate or poorly contextualised AI output. Candidates should be able to describe specifically how they have used such tools in their own work and where they have chosen not to rely on them.
• Experience preparing analytical and financial reports and contributing to technical publications.
• Willingness to travel within and outside the region as required.
• Strong problem-solving skills, initiative, creativity, and innovation.
• Ability to plan, organize and execute responsibilities in a timely and compliant manner.
• Sensitivity and respect for the cultural, social and economic contexts of project partners and beneficiaries.
• Commitment to gender equality, inclusion and diversity principles.

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 provides a tolerant, positive and supportive working environment that fosters respect for diversity, demonstrates ability to work in a multicultural, multiethnic 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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SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Financial Management and Administration;

• Assist the Regional Portfolio Manager, the Portfolio Officer, and the MFU Senior Finance Officer in reviewing financial reports submitted by implementing partners.
• Maintain a consolidated calendar of financial reports to be submitted by implementing partners across the ESARO portfolio.
• Ensure timely recording of implementing partners' expenditures in the IUCN financial system.
• Support periodic review of GEF/GCF projects and the portfolio's financial performance.
• Support the MFU Senior Finance Officer in the reconciliation of ESARO GEF/GCF projects in the
• UCN financial system and facilitate preparation of project financial closure;
• Provide the Portfolio Manager and Portfolio Officer with financial information and analysis to support overall management of the ESARO GEF/GCF portfolio, as required.

Project Preparation Activities and Budgeting;

• Assist the Regional Portfolio Manager, Portfolio Officer, and MFU Senior Finance Officer in the preparation of GEF/GCF project budgets.
• Ensure budgets are aligned with IUCN and GEF/GCF guidelines and policies.
• Facilitate planning and procurement for project preparation activities.
• Ensure accurate recording of expenditures under GEF Project Preparation Grants (PPG) and the GCF Project Preparation Facility (PPF).
• Provide guidance on the use of budgeting tools, such as the budget review tool and the finance checklist for donor contracts, and review completed checklists.

Audits;

• Maintain a consolidated calendar of audit reports required from implementing partners and to be submitted to donors.
• Ensure timely submission of project financial audit reports by implementing partners.
• Support and coordinate with project staff to facilitate the preparation and submission of GCF project audit reports, given the region's active GCF portfolio (Kenya and Rwanda flagship projects).
• Assist the Regional Portfolio Manager and the MFU Senior Finance Officer in reviewing audit reports submitted by implementing partners and highlighting issues of concern.

Year-End Closing;

• Assist the MFU Senior Finance Officer on outputs pertaining to year-end closing, especially those relating to implementing partner accruals for GEF/GCF projects.

Other Administrative Tasks as Requested;

• Perform any other administrative or financial tasks assigned by the line manager, as required by programme/project needs.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a relevant field.
• Excellent proficiency in written and spoken English. French or Portuguese is an asset given the region's linguistic diversity (including Mozambique, Angola, and Francophone countries in the Great Lakes area).
• At least 7 years of full-time professional experience in Finance, Accounting, or Project Finance Management.
• Experience supporting the financial management of a portfolio with donors and a large number of projects in an international, multicultural context.
• Proficiency with accounting software is essential; familiarity with ERP/SAP systems is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, and online collaboration tools (OneDrive, Dropbox, Microsoft Teams); familiarity with institutional project portals is an asset.
• Comfort using digital finance and reporting tools, and willingness to use available AI-enabled tools (for example, to speed up data reconciliation checks, first drafts of routine correspondence, or report formatting) to increase efficiency, while checking outputs carefully and flagging any discrepancies rather than accepting automated results at face value.
• Knowledge of and experience working with IUCN and partners, or similar international organizations, is required.
• Knowledge of the Adaptation Fund, GEF and GCF is an asset.

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 provides a tolerant, positive and supportive working environment that fosters respect for diversity, demonstrates ability to work in a multicultural, multiethnic 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.