Senior Officer, Biodiversity Finance

Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Location: European Regional Office Germany, Bonn, Germany

Reporting to: Head of Programme and Policy

Work percentage: 100%

Grade: P2

Expected start date: 15 March 2025

Type of contract: Fixed-term (24 months)

Closing date: 19 January 2025

BACKGROUND

The IUCN European Regional Office (EURO) provides vital linkages for IUCN Members, National Committees, Commissions and the Secretariat to governments, EU institutions, NGOs, scientists, practitioners, the private sector and other stakeholders to accelerate the implementation of the European Green Deal, the EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy and national and regional biodiversity priorities in Europe. EURO provides critical knowledge and advice to decision makers on conservation policy and action, and help them connect and engage.

IUCN’s Economy and Finance Team integrates nature into economic decisions and policies to achieve conservation benefits, developing tools and methods to assess nature’s value and financial needs for its protection, while collaborating with various stakeholders to implement their work. Their work focuses on four core areas: natural capital accounting and valuation, mainstreaming nature into economic and policy decisions, economic analyses supporting key IUCN initiatives, and biodiversity finance, all supported by a sustainable project portfolio.

This position will be working on a joint project between the IUCN European Regional Office (EURO) and the IUCN Economy and Finance Team. Together these offices are starting a two-year project to support European Union Member States in the development the national biodiversity finance plans.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Biodiversity Finance Senior Officer will support the implementation of this biodiversity finance project, and in addition will contribute to the implementation of the IUCN Programme and be responsible for the coordination of other relevant projects with a specific focus on biodiversity finance planning and mainstreaming of biodiversity finance needs into decision making in Europe.

The position will have the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Project coordination and reporting
   i. Draft, present, review, and synthesize technical reports, case studies, journal articles and policy briefs on the results of different economic assessments relevant to the project.
   ii. Provide technical assistance and research, including compiling and analysing data on various topics at the intersection of conservation, economics, and finance.
   iii. Day-to-day project tasks such as organising meetings and calls with relevant focal points and stakeholders in each project country, drafting meeting minutes, managing follow-up, and acting as a focal point as agreed.
   iv. Coordinate information sharing for each of the countries and the different deliverables, including keeping track of them.
   v. Ensure effective project management and delivery according to established procedures and protocols, following IUCN policies and guidelines (legal, financial procurement, etc.).
   vi. Ensure timely planning, budget control and project reporting in close coordination with the project lead.
   vii. Support the development of Terms of Reference for consultants and the organisation procurement in compliance with IUCN policy.
   viii. Organise relevant in-person and online events and partner consultation meetings ensuring broad participation of project partners and stakeholders.
   ix. Contribute to timely and quality delivery of project results in coordination with the project lead and IUCN team.
2. Support and contribute to liaison and representation in the following areas:
   i. Maintenance and enhancement of relationships with EU institutions, governments and international organisations working on biodiversity finance.
   ii. Relevant discussions in Europe and relevant projects at national, regional, and global levels and engage with institutions addressing biodiversity finance.
   iii. EU policy discussions on biodiversity finance.
   iv. IUCN’s European and global work on biodiversity finance and resource mobilisation, in conjunction with IUCN Centres, and assure its linkages with relevant policy mechanisms, with specific focus on the Convention on Biological Diversity.
   v. Identification of project opportunities and development of a healthy portfolio of thematically aligned projects in the region.
3. Communications and outreach
   i. Oversee the implementation of project communication plans with the support of relevant IUCN regional and global teams and in collaboration with the IUCN EURO communications team.
   ii. Provide content on IUCN’s work on biodiversity finance to IUCN reports and communication channels in Europe.
   iii. Contribute to communications with partners and institutions on IUCN’s work on biodiversity finance.

The above job description contains the main duties and responsibilities for this position. However, in an organization such as IUCN, staff members are expected to show flexibility in their approach to work and be willing to undertake other tasks that are reasonably allocated to them, but which are not part of their regular job description.

SALARY
The gross annual salary for this position is between EUR 60’000 to 82’000, subject to deductions for social security contributions and second-pillar pension, and before tax. While this is an indicative amount effective as of the current date, changes may occur as per IUCN’s compensation practices without prior notice.

REQUIREMENTS

• Strong training and the minimum of an MSc degree in economics (environmental economics, ecological or natural resources economics, international trade, sustainable finance, etc.) or environmental sciences and/or environmental management.
• At least 8 years of relevant project management experience including with EU funded projects.
• Grounding in the thematic area especially environmental, economic and social science concepts related to the economics of natural resources, resource mobilisation and environmentally harmful subsidies.
• Solid understanding of EU and global policy and knowledge on EU biodiversity finance mechanisms.
• Familiarity with the European Union, including its governance and policies related to the environment and natural resources.
• Experience in working for or with the public sector.
• Ability to effectively work in international and multidisciplinary settings.
• Scientific rigor and analytical skills.
• Good organisational, networking and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. A second language of one of the key countries in relevant projects is an asset.
• Effective knowledge transfer and presentation skills.
• Ability to travel frequently.
• Capacity to work under pressure and manage competing demands and deadlines.

APPLICATIONS

Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the „Apply“ button. 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). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.

About IUCN
IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.

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