Scientist and Technical Advisor
Vacancy #: 2779
Unit: Science and Knowledge Unit
Organization: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Location: IUCN Washington DC Office, Washington D.C., United States of America
Reporting to: Chief Scientist
Work percentage: 100%
Grade: P2
Expected start date: 25 July 2018
Type of contract: Fixed-term (24 months with possibility of renewal)
Closing date: 23 April 2018
BACKGROUND
JOB DESCRIPTION
OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY
The Senior Manager will lead the execution of the portfolio of projects through the Science & Knowledge Unit, integrating all four of the Unit’s business lines. Application of data and knowledge products mobilised against IUCN standards will be a common theme, and expected to be harnessed as appropriate in all projects. Most if not all Science & Knowledge projects will be implemented jointly with peer conservation science -related institutions and networks, both among the IUCN membership and beyond it (e.g., the Global Environment Facility). Most if not all will also anticipate written outputs for publication into the peer reviewed literature, either into independent scientific journals or as IUCN publications, as well as presentations in scientific and policy-related conferences and other fora. The Senior Manager will serve a substantial role in development of the IUCN flagship report, especially in handling the data compilation, analysis, and visualization aspects of the report. Finally, the Senior Manager will have project management responsibilities for substantive tracking and reporting on the Science & Knowledge Unit project portfolio, and liaison with the GPOU for budget management aspects.
SPECIFIC DUTIES
•Apply the data and knowledge products mobilised against IUCN standards (including but not limited to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the World Database of Key Biodiversity Areas, and the World Database of Protected Areas) as appropriate in all projects, including leading novel analyses (e.g., of agriculture as a driver of extinction risk). Anticipated time: 10%.
•Lead interactions with peer conservation science -related institutions and networks, both among the IUCN membership and beyond it, in implementation of Science & Knowledge projects, for example, with the Global Environment Facility in science-based targets work and follow up to the 2016–2018 Global Commons project. Anticipated time: 30%.
•Lead and collaborate as appropriate in dissemination of project results, through (a) presentations in scientific and policy-related conferences and other fora and (b) publication into the peer reviewed literature, either into independent scientific journals or as IUCN publications. Anticipated time: 20%.
•Undertake a substantial role in development of the IUCN flagship report, especially in handling the data compilation, analysis, and visualization aspects of the report. Anticipated time: 30%.
•Fulfill project management responsibilities for substantive tracking and reporting on the Science & Knowledge Unit project portfolio, and liaison with the GPOU on budget management aspects. Anticipated time: 10%.
REQUIREMENTS
• PhD in conservation-related scientific field required
• Advanced degree in policy-related field required
• Five years of experience in conservation-related activities required
• Excellent knowledge of the conservation-related scientific literature required
• Experience writing scientific publications required
• Experience in convening scientific and technical workshops, meetings, or conferences required
• Analytical skills including database development, GIS, programming required
• Fluency in English, French, and Spanish as the official IUCN languages required
• Willingness to undertake some travel associated with the position required
• Experience of field conservation in developing countries useful
• Passion for conservation essential
• The above job description contains the main duties and responsibilities for this position. However, in a small 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. Where any task becomes a regular part of an employee's responsibilities, the job description will be changed in consultation with the employee and the Human Resources Management Group.
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). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.
Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: http://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/
