Programme Officer, Climate Change and Biodiversity Management at IUCN

BACKGROUND

THIS POSITION IS OPEN ONLY TO SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONALS OR THOSE WITH THE RIGHT TO WORK IN SOUTH AFRICA ON LOCAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

BACKGROUND:

The Programme Officer, Climate Change and Biodiversity Management will be an integral part of the IUCN’s South African Office with a dual reporting line to the Country Representative, IUCN South Africa and to the Programme Manager, Climate Change. The key focus of work will be to engage government, private sector and local community groups in Southern Africa on issue relating to climate change, biodiversity, extractive sectors to support an equitable transition to a climate resilient and low carbon future, that promotes conservation gains, socio-economic and sustainable development.

IUCN’s global thematic work on climate change and biodiversity aims to contribute to the global effort to reduce emissions, sustainably manage, conserve and restore ecosystems, and help vulnerable communities and ecosystems to adapt to unavoidable climate impacts. IUCN engages on climate and biodiversity issues from through, policy, research and project implementation, that includes from assessing the risks that climate change poses to communities and biodiversity to advocating for improved climate policy and practice; advancing Nature-based Solutions for both mitigation and adaptation. An additional focus is on supporting the energy, mining and private sector more broadly as they move towards a low carbon emission, Thereby, avoiding maladaptation and ancillary negative impacts on biodiversity and nature-dependent livelihoods. Furthermore, IUCN aims to contributes to the Just Transition for Southern Africa to enhance climate actions, creation of jobs, address inequality, and restores our natural systems to build resilience.

The Programme Officer, Climate Change and Biodiversity Management will provide technical support and advice to the Southern Africa Office and the Global Climate change team in implementation of climate change and biodiversity projects, help the team design, and develop new engagements within the climate change and biodiversity portfolio of projects within the southern African region. In addition, he/she will assist colleagues through background research and information analysis and synthesis and contribution towards effective communication, outreach and engagement activities aimed at ensuring that IUCN’s work on climate change and biodiversity in the Southern African region is coordinated and delivered effectively.

JOB DESCRIPTION

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

• Under the supervision of the Country Representative South Africa and the Programme Manager, Climate Change and Biodiversity, the Programme Officer will have the following duties:
• Support the development of the IUCN Climate Action Programme for Southern Africa
• Provide technical analysis and policy advice for climate actions on key sectors, biodiversity, water, energy, transport, mining, etc.
• Support the technical analysis and policy synthesis for the just transition programme focusing on biodiversity and natural resource, communities and low carbon energy;
• Developing guidance and best practice for integrated approaches towards the implementation of biodiversity and climate targets
• Promotion of implementation of IUCN’s Global Standard on Nature-based Solutions
• Engaging with the private sector in Southern Africa on integrating biodiversity, land use (LDN), gender and social gains into climate strategies
• Application of IUCN guidance on mitigating impacts on biodiversity from renewable energy generation.
• Application of IUCN’s convening power to highlight issues an equitable transition to a low carbon future in southern Africa
• Support the Biodiversity Programme for IUCN-Black Mountain Mining;
• The overall object of the coordination of the IUCN BMM collaboration is to ensure the smooth efficient running of the IUCN-BMM collaboration and to provide both organizations with lessons learnt from the engagement and options for continuing project collaboration beyond this agreement. The specific responsibilities of the Programme Officer in relation to this project is as follows:
• To support the company, manage biodiversity related risks and opportunities resulting from expansion projects to ensure the best possible outcome for biodiversity locally and regionally
• Liaise with each of the IUCN focal points and adequately support them in implementing the relationship goals
• Support the development and implementation of an emission reduction strategy that meets the company’s Net Zero Targets
• Support the development and implementation of an integrated revised biodiversity management plan that is endorsed by local regulators (District Municipalities and Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, Northern Cape)
• Support BMM in further refining and implementing an efficient monitoring system in relation to their various biodiversity related measurements and obligations, especially in relation to the Not Net Loss and climate related obligations
• Support BMM in implementing the remaining clauses of the offset agreement and adhere to its obligation detailed in the agreement
• Identify new opportunities for collaboration with BMM and national conservation organizations.

REQUIREMENTS

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Education;

Minimum Masters’ degree in environmental science, conservation, sustainable development or sustainable business-related fields.

Work Experience;

• 5 years of project management in a field related to implementation of biodiversity management, conservation, environmental management, mining, and energy projects,
• At least 3-5 years of international experience working with a range of stakeholders, including business, non-governmental organizations, academic/research institutes, and governments.
• Experience in the various African regions working on conservation and climate issues
• Excellent organizational and networking skills

Language Proficiency;

English proficiency including excellent writing skills.

Core Competencies;

• Transparency: Able to build trust and contribute to informed and responsible decision making by carrying out the work of IUCN in a transparent manner; provides clear guidance to ensure that objectives and desired measurable results are understood by members of the team.
• Inclusiveness: Understands and accepts cultural diversity, and provide a tolerant, positive and supportive working environment that fosters respect for diversity, demonstrates ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds.
• Professionalism: Promote the organization’s interests, objectives and values in a diligent and professional manner.
• Accountability: Takes responsibility of individual and collective actions, promotes the IUCN One Programme approach.

Functional competencies;

• Adheres to IUCN ESARO core values of Transparency, Inclusiveness, Professionalism and Accountability;
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills;
• Good communication skills and proven writing ability;
• Highly motivated and results-oriented individual;
• Demonstrated ability to work with limited supervision to prioritize tasking and manage workflow in a high-pressure environment;
• Excellent time management and ability to adhere to deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a strong team player with proven communication and diplomacy with the ability to work effectively with multicultural and multidisciplinary teams with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
• Committed to continuous learning and proactive and mature attitude towards self-development;
• Capacity to work effectively under time pressure and extended hours, if required, willingness to travel within the region, sometimes at short notice

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/