Manager, Knowledge and Communications

BACKGROUND

The Global Forest and Climate Change Programme (GFCCP) is a global thematic programme of the IUCN Secretariat and supports the forest-related activities of the Union. GFCCPs work is centered on 3 mutually supporting themes of Climate Change Mitigation, Forest and Landscape Restoration and Locally Controlled Forests. Most of the GFCCP's activities are delivered jointly with IUCN regional programmes and the IUCN scientific expert commissions, and increasingly in collaboration with other global programmes.

In response to the IUCN Business Model the GFCCP's operational structure is predicated on 2 reporting lines: (1) results on the ground and (2) knowledge, policy and environmental governance. This position is located within the latter. The two-pillared structure of the programme has as one of its aims: to achieve a rigorous, integrated, strategic approach to knowledge and communications - at once programmatic - while also servicing projects in a coherent way. To meet this need, particularly given a burgeoning GFCCP project portfolio that is heavily knowledge-oriented and aimed at achieving knowledge-based impact on policy, practice and key audiences, a critical function in GFCCP's structure has evolved - identified as necessary for the delivery of the GFCCP programme: Manager, Knowledge and Communications.

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY

The Knowledge and Communications Manager will oversee a programmatic knowledge system that will ensure effective and efficient pipelines and pathways for transforming lessons, findings and analysis into desired impact upon policy and practice through targeted audiences. This will be based upon a programmatic approach that supports and cuts across all three thematic areas and projects. S/he will devise approaches to ensure a programmatic culture of up-to-date, cutting edge knowledge-oriented work, which will in turn contribute to IUCN's flagship knowledge products and reinforce its reputation of producing credible knowledge. This will include leading the delivery of high quality knowledge and integrated, programmatic and project-tailored communication and media engagement.

In order to achieve these responsibilities, described in more detail below, the Knowledge and Communication Manager will supervise individuals and/or a team (of staff and/or consultants, as needed) to achieve all the objectives described in these terms of reference, and ensure quality and timeliness of deliverables. S/he will build concrete collaboration with the Science and Knowledge Unit in order to build the GFCCP's knowledge-based approach in a manner that is consistent with that of the Union as a whole.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. KNOWLEDGE SYSTEM: DESIGNING, MAINTAINING AND LEADING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A PROGRAMMATIC KNOWLEDGE AND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM to:
   • Gather lessons and experience from GFCCP staff and project managers, and collaborators (which include Regional Offices), based on learning frameworks agreed early in programme development and implementation
   • Optimize targeted uptake and impact of outputs from GFCCP work by key audiences, and ensure measurement of these in ways consistent with IUCN processes (in place and in development)
   • Support repository of and access to relevant published literature through the IUCN library
   • Build a balanced, scheduled and targeted portfolio of communications and knowledge tools and products, pre-identified to meet the needs of specific, prioritized target audiences
   • Facilitate information sharing across the programme pillars and – in collaboration with other programme staff – create opportunities for vertical and horizontal exchanges information across the programme and within projects.
2. QUALITY CONTROL AND CAPACITY BUILDING: REINFORCING A KNOWLEDGE-ORIENTED CULTURE AND ENSURING KNOWLEDGE CONTENT IS OF HIGH QUALITY, TIMELY, STRATEGIC, AND CONTRIBUTES SOMETHING NEW TO THE FIELD:
   • Lead the transformation of lessons and experience into peer-reviewed science and IUCN knowledge products
   • Encourage output of results into the peer-reviewed scientific literature, in parallel with dissemination through mechanisms targeted to other end-users
   • Build capacity and maintain networks which include colleagues participating in implementation and institutional collaborators such as PM&E, Science & Knowledge and Capacity Development
   • Contribute to the design and strategic monitoring and evaluation and quality assurance of GFCCP projects/initiatives
   • Contribute to timely delivery of knowledge and insights to support periodic institutional reporting requirements
   • Manage contributions to IUCN's Nature Based Solutions work and the 6 institutional knowledge products.
3. COMMUNICATIONS: LEADING ON COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS:
   • Manage the transformation of lessons and experience into communications campaigns and knowledge products
   • Lead on communications and media engagement, including for collaborative partnerships of which IUCN is a part or which IUCN coordinates – when requested by the partnership in question - and contribute, as appropriate, to the efforts of such partnerships in achieving their objectives more generally
   • Assume external relations and representational roles as requested, for example through the Collaborative Partnership on Forests and the Audemars Piguet Foundation's board, and at meetings, seminars and events, as appropriate.
4. PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT: LEADING AND MOTIVATING TEAMS
   • Manage and motivate assigned staff through effective leadership, communication, coaching, development, facilitation and evaluation
   • Provide guidance and support to IUCN's regional and country team members working on knowledge and communications, and ensure effective involvement of IUCN members and Commissions, to enhance the delivery of coherent activities
   • Manage specified partner relationships.
   In addition to the main areas of responsibility described above, the Manager, Knowledge and Communications will assume responsibility for other activities that the line manager may assign from time to time and that do not negatively impact on the delivery of the above responsibilities. This will include contributions to programme and project development and management as appropriate.

REQUIREMENTS

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Post graduate degree in Information Science, Communications, Media or related disciplines, or equivalent study and work experience.
• 7-8 years' professional experience in strategic and impact-focused knowledge management and/or communications or related fields.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in building, leading, managing and setting the strategic direction of a team.
• Experience managing the production of high quality knowledge products as well as a range of communications materials for different audiences.
• Experience defining and tracking audiences and audience needs as well as uptake pathways.
• Experience with a regional or international policy-influencing NGO/multi-lateral or inter-governmental agency, or a knowledge-generating institution.
• Fluency in written and spoken English essential and knowledge of another IUCN language (French and/or Spanish) is an advantage.COMPETENCIES
• Dynamic and independent, creative problem solver, committed to quality, stress-resistant, with excellent interpersonal, management, communication, writing and editing skills.
• Ability to cope with a challenging workload, to multi-task and to manage competing priorities and conflicting agendas.
• Team player – able to work sensitively and collaboratively in a multicultural setting.
• Excellent organizational skills with proven ability to complete assigned tasks in a timely and high quality manner.
• Computer literate and web-savvy, ideally with experience in layout/photography and or video.
• Self-starter who is able to work independently.
• Ability to build and manage contacts with research institutions, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations concerning knowledge generation and communications related activities.

SALARY

The gross annual salary for this position is in the range from CHF 96'160 to CHF 120'200, subject to deductions for social security contributions and second-pillar pension, and before tax.

About IUCN

IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges.
IUCN works on biodiversity, climate change, energy, human livelihoods and greening the world economy by supporting scientific research, managing field projects all over the world, and bringing governments, NGOs, the UN and companies together to develop policy, laws and best practice.
IUCN is the world's oldest and largest global environmental organization, with more than 1,200 government and NGO members and almost 11,000 volunteer experts in some 160 countries. IUCN's work is supported by over 1,000 staff in 45 offices and hundreds of partners in public, NGO and private sectors around the world.
**[www.iucn.org*](http://www.iucn.org/)

How to apply:

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).

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