Open Vacancies at International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

JOB DESCRIPTION
SPECIFIC DUTIES:

• Provide overall technical leadership and ensure high-quality delivery of all project components and outputs.
• Facilitate alignment with national and regional programmes, initiatives, and restoration projects.
• Lead and manage the GEF 8 SLM Project Management Unit (PMU), including staff, consultants, and contractors.
• Coordinate with implementing partners, government agencies, and regional service providers for effective collaboration and knowledge exchange.
• Plan, implement, and monitor project outcomes, outputs, and activities in line with approved frameworks, work plans, and budgets.
• Support resource mobilization efforts in the region and promote the application of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) standards.
• Oversee implementation of the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework and lead knowledge management and reporting processes.
• Facilitate project reviews and evaluations, including Mid-Term and Terminal Evaluations, and ensure timely submission of reports.
• Provide strategic financial oversight, ensuring proper expenditure management, compliance, and value for money.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership, Project Management, and Administration;

• Ensure integration of cross-cutting priorities, including gender equality, youth engagement, social inclusion, and climate resilience.
• Ensure the technical quality and relevance of project interventions to national and regional priorities.
• Ensure project activities are aligned with GEF results-based management frameworks and the Theory of Change.
• Facilitate coordination among implementing partners, government agencies, and stakeholders to ensure coherent implementation and reporting.

Coordination, Partnerships and Resource mobilisation;

• Serve as the primary liaison with implementing partners, government institutions, community-based organisations, private sector stakeholders, and regional LDN structures and related initiatives such as the Ramsar Convention and UNCCD.
• Strengthen multi-stakeholder platforms to promote knowledge sharing, policy coherence, and joint planning.
• Represent IUCN in relevant national, regional, and thematic platforms to strengthen visibility, build partnerships, and share lessons learned.
• Support other GEF initiatives in the region through technical inputs and knowledge sharing.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting, and Knowledge Management;

• Ensure effective dissemination of knowledge products and project results at national, regional, and global levels.
• Support capacity building of project staff and partners on M&E and knowledge management systems.
• Ensure consistency and quality in data collection, analysis, and reporting to support adaptive management and continuous learning.

Financial and Administrative Oversight;

• Monitor financial performance regularly to ensure cost-efficiency, value for money, and timely identification of variances or financial risks.
• Ensure financial management aligns with GEF, IUCN, and implementing/executing agency policies and procedures.

Outputs Expected;

• Develops, implements, monitors and evaluates assigned programme/projects.
• Provides thorough, well-reasoned written contributions, e.g., background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships.
• Promulgate coherent policies, and consistent adherence to these by clients. Efficient use of resources.

REQUIREMENTS
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Education;

• Completed master’s degree in Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Agriculture, social development studies or a closely related field. A qualification in Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) will be an added advantage

Work Experience;

• 7–10 years’ experience in managing and implementing interventions relating to sustainable land management, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience programmes and projects
• Demonstrated experience working with UN agencies or similar organizations including the understanding of the rules and procedures that governs UN agencies and its implementation modalities
• Proven experience in results-based project management, including development and oversight of logical frameworks and theories of change.
• Experience in institutional coordination and implementing sustainable resource management interventions.
• Experience working with governments, regional organizations (e.g., SADC), and international partners with specific reference to sustainable land management, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience
• Experience in coordinating granting and contracting

Language Proficiency;

• Excellent command of English (including good writing and communication skills)

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;

• Project Management and Coordination: Plans, implements, and monitors multi-country projects using results-based management principles.
• Technical Expertise: Provides technical leadership in eg SLM, wetlands, water resources, climate adaptation, and Nature-based Solutions.
• Partnership Development: Builds and maintains strategic partnerships with governments, regional bodies, and stakeholders.
• Financial and Administrative Management: Ensures sound budgeting, expenditure control, and compliance with donor procedures.
• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Knowledge Management: Leads performance tracking, learning, and knowledge sharing across the region.
• Leadership and Team Management: Guides and motivates project teams to deliver high-quality results efficiently.
• Communication and Representation: Communicates effectively, ensuring project visibility and engagement with partners.

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JOB DESCRIPTION
SEPCIFIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Financial Reporting and Compliance;

• Ensure integration of cross-cutting priorities, including gender equality, youth engagement, social inclusion, and climate resilience.
• Ensure the technical quality and relevance of project interventions to national and regional priorities.
• Ensure all financial operations comply with GEF, IUCN, and national regulations.
• Prepare, monitor, and analyze project budgets, forecasts, and expenditures.
• Support development of project budgets and proposals, ensuring donor compliance.

Financial Transactions and controls;

• Oversee day-to-day financial transactions, including payments, reimbursements, and vendor invoices.
• Maintain proper documentation to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Implement and monitor internal financial controls to minimize risk

Financial Reporting;

• Prepare and submit timely and accurate financial reports (quarterly, annual, and ad-hoc) to the Project Coordinator, Executing Agency, Implementing Agency, and donors.
• Manage project expenditure in financial systems, ensuring proper coding and alignment with budgets.
• Provide monthly analyzed budget information to Project Managers and update staff time allocations in TMS.

Cash Flow and Fund Management;

• Monitor project cash flow to ensure sufficient funds for ongoing activities.
• Support preparation of fund requests and timely disbursements to implementing partners.
• Manage cash flow and ensure timely fund disbursements to partners.

Capacity Building and Collaboration;

• Provide financial guidance and support to project staff, partners, and sub-grantees.
• Assist in organizing financial training sessions or workshops.
• Build capacity of sub-grantees/partners in GEF financial compliance and fiduciary standards.
• Provide financial guidance to project teams and support other GEF-funded projects.

Audit and Oversight;

• Facilitate internal and external audits, provide supporting documentation, implement recommendations, and maintain financial controls.
• Implement audit recommendations promptly.
• Establish and maintain financial risk management controls.

Grants Management;

• Participate in due diligence for partner selection.
• Conduct periodic financial reviews and reconciliation with sub-grantees.
• Support sub-grantees in maintaining proper books and ensure compliance with donor requirements.
• Oversee sub-grantee financial compliance, reconciliations, and provide guidance.

Budget and Proposal Development;

• Act as focal point for budget development for GEF/GCF projects in Southern Africa
• Support proposal development processes by preparing budgets in line with donor regulations and IUCN guidelines.
• Facilitate capacity building in budget formulation and management for staff and partners.

Other Duties;

• Perform other finance-related tasks as assigned to support project goals.
• Provide financial management support to other GEF-funded projects in the portfolio.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS:

• Accurate and timely preparation of financial reports, expenditure statements, and financial workplans.
• Effective budget management and monitoring of expenditures with appropriate approvals.
• Compliance with GEF financial guidelines, national regulations, and IUCN policies.
• Close collaboration with project management, partners, and auditors to facilitate project delivery.

REQUIREMENTS
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Education;

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Economics, or related field.
• Professional certification (ACCA, CPA, or equivalent) preferred.

Work Experience;

• At least 5 years relevant experience in financial management, preferably in donor-funded or international development projects.
• Experience with project financial systems and compliance with donor guidelines, ideally GEF, UN agencies, or similar.
• Experience in budget preparation, financial reporting, audits, and reconciliations.
• Knowledge of national financial regulations and accounting standards.
• Proficiency in financial management software and MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to work under pressure.

Language Proficiency;

• Excellent command of English (including good writing and communication 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 provides a tolerant, positive and supportive working environment that fosters respect for diversity, demonstrates ability to work in a multicultural, multiethnic 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;

• Project Management and Coordination: Plans, implements, and monitors multi-country projects using results-based management principles.
• Technical Expertise: Provides technical leadership in e.g. SLM, wetlands, water resources, climate adaptation, and Nature-based Solutions.
• Partnership Development: Builds and maintains strategic partnerships with governments, regional bodies, and stakeholders.
• Financial and Administrative Management: Ensures sound budgeting, expenditure control, and compliance with donor procedures.
• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Knowledge Management: Leads performance tracking, learning, and knowledge sharing across the region.
• Leadership and Team Management: Guides and motivating project teams to deliver high-quality results efficiently.
• Communication and Representation: Communicates effectively, ensuring project visibility and engagement with partners.

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JOB DESCRIPTION
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

More specifically, the roles and responsibilities of the Procurement and Operations Assistant will be as follows:

Procurement Management;

• Oversee project procurement functions to ensure value for money to the organization.
• Ensure transparency and integrity in the procurement processes in line with the procurement policies and guidelines.
• Prepare clearance documents and obtain approvals in accordance with Internal Control System (ICS) procedures and Support contractual processes for equipment and supplies.
• Upload invoices and travel authorizations to ERP Portal for approval.
• Consolidate and monitor procurement plans.
• Ensure correct implementation of procurement policy and guidelines.
• Participate in periodic review and updating of the supplier database which is able to adequately serve business needs.
• Learn grants compliance policies specific to individual donors.
• Prepare and share monthly reports to inform management decisions.
• Provide technical support to staff on procurement and operational processes and procedures
• Prepare sourcing documents in line with the procurement policy and donor regulations.
• Prepare contracts, ensuring all approvals are obtained.
• Keep proper and an updated filling system for all procurement documents.
• Ensure contractual obligations are adhered to by all parties.
• Follow up and ensure timely delivery of requested supplies and materials and keep concerned project staff informed on the status of the delivery.
• Review and share the weekly procurement tracker.
• Timely and accurate submission of all financial documents to the finance department by the stipulated date to ensure Suppliers/service providers’ payments are done in a timely manner.

Operations Management;

• Provide leadership and guidance to Office Assistants, Operations Coordinators, to ensure effective administrative and logistical support.
• Oversee smooth day-to-day operations through joint planning, coordination, and collaboration with Programme and Corporate Services teams.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and compliant working environment in line with occupational health and safety standards, serving as secretary to the OSH Committee and ensuring implementation of OSH requirements.
• Manage outsourced service providers (e.g., cleaning, security), including scheduled performance reviews to ensure high-quality delivery of contracted services.
• Ensure operational SOPs, administrative policies, and tools are regularly updated and adhered to.
• Maintain organized filing, archiving, and record-keeping systems for contracts, donor documents, programme deliverables, and office records.
• Monitor and ensure timely renewal of leases, agreements, and insurance policies.
• Maintain and update the office security tree and share relevant security updates from the field to enhance staff safety.
• Report IT faults to service providers, liaise with printer providers regarding meter readings/maintenance, and assist the Regional IT Officer with on-boarding new staff by setting up laptops.
• Assist with protocol matters and process official documents with government departments, Embassies, and High Commissions, such as visa applications, ID cards, and vehicle registration.

Asset & Inventory Management;

• Manage and maintain a complete and accurate asset register, ensuring regular tagging, tracking, and documentation of all assets.
• Conduct quarterly and annual physical asset verification and update NAV or designated asset management systems.
• Provide technical support to staff on proper usage, handling, storage, and maintenance of programme equipment and office assets.
• Ensure timely repair, servicing, and insurance renewal of all organizational assets.
• Oversee efficient management of office consumables, inventory, and supplies.
• Ensure compliance with disposal, transfer, and write-off procedures for obsolete, damaged, or surplus assets in line with policy.

Any other duties;

• Perform other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

REQUIREMENTS
POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Knowledge;

• University degree in supply chain management, commerce or other related field.
• CIPS accreditation level 3
• Knowledge and understanding of public procurement policies and systems in South Africa.
• Experience in large-scale bilateral/multi-lateral programme procurement/supply chain management.
• Experience in the development of procurement processes, procedures and tools.
• Solid experience in programme administration including sound knowledge of financial, procurement, administrative practices, and programme reporting.
• Programme management skills with strong ability to support the monitoring of programme budgets.
• Solid Computer skills, including knowledge of MS Office applications. Knowledge of procurement applications desirable.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and solid organizational skills
• Ability to work effectively within a large, decentralized workforce and to operate effectively, with tact and diplomacy, in a multi-cultural, interdisciplinary environment.
• Willingness to travel.
• Experience on VAT exemptions procedures.
• Strong negotiation and networking skills.
• Presentational and problem solving skills.

Work Experience;

• Minimum 5 years’ international procurement experience, of which a minimum of three years in an International Organization or NGO environment.
• Strong supply chain skills;

Language requirements;

• Proficiency in written and oral English required;

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 provides 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.

Function Competencies:

• Ensure compliance with applicable traffic laws, regulations and/or IUCN rules, standards and guidelines on vehicle usage.
• Ability to handle complex and demanding administrative roles and learn new systems and procedures.
• Demonstrated tact and diplomacy in dealing with staff, partners and IUCN programme stakeholders.
• Constructive and learning attitude, initiative, drive and approach to work.
• Proven interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of views.
• Demonstrated ability to work with limited supervision and manage work in demanding environment.
• Have excellent interpersonal skills and strong organizational responsibility.
• A good team player, proactive and committed to continuous learning.
• Willingness to undertake work related travels when required.