CEC Programme Officer, Gland, Switzerland

Vacancy #:886

Unit:Global Communications Unit

Organization:International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Location:Headquarters, Gland, Switzerland

Reporting to:Head of Communications

Work percentage:100%

Function group:P2

Expected start date:01 January 2015

Type of contract:Max-term (24 months with possibility of renewal)

Closing date:01 October 2014

BACKGROUND

The IUCN Commission on Education and Communication (CEC) is one of six expert Commissions and forms an integral part of the work of the Union.

The CEC is a network comprised of more than 1,200 experts world-wide and promotes effective communication and cutting-edge capacity development to create positive conservation change.

Combining modern technology, social media and international networks with traditional approaches such as face-to-face professional development sessions, CEC members promote two key ideas. First, everyone has a role to play in nature conservation. Secondly, education and communication are essential for positive environmental change. Working with experts from around the world, CEC showcases successful approaches to communicating for nature. Composed of professionals from a variety of fields — university professors, scientists, media representatives, filmmakers, communications and marketing consultants — CEC fosters collaborative partnerships in advocating for sustainability. Some of the diverse areas in which CEC members are active include capacity development, strategic communications, conservation psychology, social media, educational technologies, environmental information, environmental security, learning, leadership, and inspiring a new generation through youth engagement, and other. Details on the work of the CEC are accessibly at http://cectalksnature.org and on the IUCN website at www.iucn.org/cec.

The candidate will coordinate and support the operations of the Commission and serve as a critical link between the Commission, the Secretariat and the various strands of the Union, in close collaboration with the Commission Chair and Steering Committee.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES

The general work areas for this position under the current Strategic Plan of the CEC (up to 2016) include:

• Facilitating CEC activities at IUCN HQ and ensuring integration with IUCN Global Communications Unit and the broader secretariat;
• Support Head of Communications in developing and implementing strategy for IUCN/CEC engagement;
• Advocating for and supporting new innovations and efficiencies in accordance with the objectives of the CEC Mandate and Work Programme;
• Supporting the development and implementation of the annual workplans as agreed to by the CEC Steering Committee at their bi-annual Steering Committee meetings, as well as the development of the new Strategic Plan 2016 to 2020;
• Actively supporting the CEC Chair and Deputy Chair in their efforts to facilitate, strengthen, and grow the Commission membership, activities, and influence on a global basis;
• Operating within the CEC governance structure to ensure that CEC's contribution to the Union is strategic and measurable; and
• Building resources and communication mechanisms to facilitate CEC's work.

The candidate will play a pivotal role in coordinating CEC activities, which includes facilitating a global network of volunteers and strategically advancing the Commission's external relations. The candidate will also liaise with programme staff, communicators and other Commission focal points based both in Headquarters and other IUCN offices and projects.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

• Playing a central role in the advancement of the Commission in meeting the four objectives of the CEC 2013-2015 Programme;
• Acting as a conduit in promoting communication and coordination between the IUCN Secretariat, other Commissions, members, and outside organizations such as the Conference on Biological Diversity;
• Facilitating and consulting with the Steering Committee to help identify and implement approaches related to UNCDB Aichi Target 1, IUCN Capacity Development, Nature-based Solutions to Global Challenges, and maintaining the CEC Network Development.
• Facilitating the preparation of the annual work plans and budget in accordance with the priorities established by the IUCN Programme and the CEC Strategic Plan;
• Coordinating the inputs for the development of the new Strategic Plan of the CEC (2016-2020) to be endorsed at the World Conservation Congress in Hawaii (2016)
• Facilitating member engagement, monitoring, and outreach;
• Determining the best technical and communication approaches for maintaining and growing the CEC volunteer network;
• Supporting the overall governance of the CEC, including membership affairs, Steering Committee meetings and Bureau, reporting on the implementation of its strategic plan, and the management of Commission funds;
• Supporting fundraising for CEC activities;
• Supporting CEC's presence at international meetings, as well as taking the lead on selected events, with relevance to the Commission; and
• Coordinating effective membership participation through appropriate channels and with part-time support from the previous Membership Liaison Officer.

The above job description contains the main duties and responsibilities for this position. However, in a small organization such as IUCN, the program officer is expected to show flexibility in his/her approach to work and be willing to undertake other tasks that are reasonably allocated to him/her.

REQUIREMENTS

• 6-8 years of previous experience in project management with demonstrated knowledge of capacity development, strategic communications, social media, learning, conservation psychology, and general administration;
• Master's degree in environmental sciences, social sciences including anthropology, or communications, marketing, journalism or a related field;
• Exceptional communication and organizational skills;
• Experience of leading the preparation and delivery of a comprehensive management efforts;
• Experience in proposal development and fundraising helpful;
• Knowledge and practical experience of approaches for effective capacity development, communication and knowledge management and other aspects of work related to the Commissions' mandate;
• Demonstrated capacity to work well under pressure and successfully manage multiple deadlines and competing demands;
• Relevant IT skills, including desktop publishing, website management and social media, to perform work on the CEC blog htpp.cectalksnature.org and manage the IUCN CEC website;
• Experience in working with social media, video, and/or other outreach approaches and tools;
• Excellent written and spoken English is essential. Knowledge of a second IUCN official language (French or Spanish) is an advantage; and
• Availability to travel internationally

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.

APPLICATIONS

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).

Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: http://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/

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