Deadline: March 1, 2021
The European Regional Office of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is recruiting for a Programme Officer -Nature-Based Solutions to be located at the European Regional Office in Brussels, Belgium.
About the Position
The IUCN European Regional Office is involved in various demonstration projects that promote and implement Nature-based Solutions to gather evidence on the services that nature provides for people and economy, while creating regenerative business and development opportunities. These include:
• GrowGreen – aims to create climate and water resilient, healthy and livable cities by investing in Nature-based Solutions. Through demonstration projects and partnerships with a group of cities across Europe and China, GrowGreen is developing a replicable approach to the development and implementation of Nature-based Solutions strategies at city level.
• NetworkNature – creates opportunities for cooperation to maximise the impact and upscaling of Nature-based solutions by: strengthening the evidence base by gathering experiences, knowledge, tools and services; expanding Nature-based Solutions to new sectors and target audiences; to ensure dialogue and exchange between science, policy and practice, and to accelerate capacity building for Nature-based Solutions with business, investors and policy makers.
• SINCERE – Spurring INnovations for forest eCosystem sERvices in Europe develops novel policies and new business models by connecting knowledge and expertise from practice, science and policy, across Europe and beyond. It facilitates continuous collaborative learning from the project’s innovation actions, located in nine regions in Europe and two international cases in Peru and Russia. Innovations developed through SINCERE aim to explore new means to enhance forest ecosystem services in ways that benefit forest owners as well as serving broad societal needs.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of European Programme Manager Nature Based Solutions, the European Programme Officer Nature Based Solutions will contribute to the implementation of the above projects as well as other activities to upscale Nature-based Solutions in Europe and perform the following tasks:
• Support the delivery of several European projects on Nature-based Solutions, liaising with project partners and drawing on IUCNs knowledge network to provide inputs for achieving deliverables as required;
• Support the development of new project ideas and support fundraising efforts to help IUCN expand its engagement with cities, subnational and national governments, business and civil society for Nature-based Solutions, and strengthen IUCNs involvement in related networks and initiatives in Europe;
• Lead the development of promotional and communication materials, such as webstories, presentations, project brochures and webinars, that help raise awareness for the value of nature-based solutions for specialist and non-specialist audiences;
• Develop and maintain collaboration with IUCN Members, experts and partners across Europe and represent IUCN at external events;
• Organisation and assistance with the preparation of events and workshops
• Follow closely EU policy developments related to Nature-based Solutions;
• Support the development of an evidence base of examples and best practices related to Nature based Solutions;
• Assist with the technical reporting and administrative management of projects.
Eligibility
- A Masters degree in environmental sciences, ecosystem management, sustainable development, or any other discipline that is relevant to nature conservation; knowledge of urban issues is an advantage;
- At least 5 years of work experience in the field of nature conservation, sustainable development or a related area of work; experience with the private sector is an asset;
- Experience in developing project proposals for the European Commission (Horizon 2020 is an advantage);
- Experience with project management and good organisational, administrative, and reporting skills;
- Knowledge of European nature legislation and familiarity with EU funding and policy processes;
- Excellent level of written and spoken English (native speaker or equivalent), other languages an asset;
- Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to create engaging communication strategies and products;
- Experience organizing events and workshops;
- Excellent organizational, administrative, and reporting skills;
- A motivated self-starter with an ability to work independently, become familiar with new topics quickly, and meet tight deadlines without compromising the quality of outputs;
- A team player with a strong interest in working in an international environment and willingness to travel.
Application Procedure
Applicants are requested to apply online through their official HR Management System.
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.
For more information: Please visit the official website.
To apply: Click here
