Serbia: Nature-Based Solutions Senior Project Officer

Nov 29, 2019 | International Union for Conservation of Nature
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IUCN Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECARO) is seeking to recruit an experienced and enthusiastic candidate to join the IUCN ECARO team as Nature-based Solutions Senior Project Officer. The successful candidate will work in close cooperation with the IUCN ECARO Director, the IUCN Global Ecosystem Management Programme, and will be responsible for the management of the ADAPT: Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for Resilient Societies in the Western Balkans project. The Senior Nature-based Solutions Project Officer will work closely with several of IUCN’s thematic programmes as part of the Nature-based Solutions Programme Area.

ADAPT is a project funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) that aims to increase ecosystem and community resilience to climate change and environmental degradation in the Western Balkans. The project brings together Western Balkan economies to develop strategies to strengthen knowledge and awareness of nature-based disaster risk reduction solutions as well as capacities to implement such solutions; to enhance the integration of NbS and equitable climate-smart planning into relevant policies; and to increase the implementation of NbS solutions for disaster risk reduction, including through selected pilot sites. The primary task of the Nature-based Solutions Senior Project Officer will be to manage project partnership and coordinate activities to ensure effective project implementation and the delivery of high quality project results. 

Other tasks will include priority setting for programme development, donor and partner relations, people management and liaison with IUCN Programmes, Members and Commissions. 

Job Description

Major Responsibilities

  • Overall responsibility for programme coordination, project management and reporting;
  • Support development and implementation of the IUCN Nature-based Solutions Programme Area in Eastern Europe, North and Central Asia;
  • Oversee management and implementation of IUCN ECARO’s Nature-based Solutions project activities in the region;
  • Liaise with the IUCN Secretariat, Members, Commissions and partners in identifying priorities and project development opportunities related to Nature-based Solutions;
  • Actively pursue partnerships and promote synergies with thematically-aligned initiatives and projects in the region;
  • Support fundraising efforts and lead the development of high quality projects in coordination with IUCN programmes and partners;
  • Contribute to the institutional leadership of IUCN in further developing and improving the NbS concept as well as its application, leveraging lessons learnt from the ECARO region. 

Specific Duties

  • Coordinate the ADAPT: Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for Resilient Societies in the Western Balkans project ensuring that it effectively delivers against the work plan and results framework;
  • Manage the project team, national coordinators and a number of partners and consultants in ensuring coherent and efficient project planning and delivery;
  • Ensure high quality project oversight and coordination, including liaison with the donor and partners, preparation of project work plans, technical and financial reports, and partnership agreements; 
  • Oversee and manage staff within the NbS programme, including preparing Terms of Reference, work plans, and undertaking performance appraisals;  
  • Lead the development of the Nature-based Solutions Programme Area and follow up projects to the ADAPT project; 
  • Lead in identifying partnership and project development opportunities related to the Nature-based Solutions Programme Area; 
  • With support of the communications team, ensure the appropriate communication and visibility of the projects and its results;
  • Keep the IUCN ECARO Director up-to-date on programme and project development opportunities;
  • Liaise with IUCN Members, Commissions, donors and partners on programme formulation and identification of priorities.
  • Represent IUCN ECARO at global, regional and national events;
  • Present the NbS concept and IUCN’s work on NbS in a technically competent and informed manner in various international fora;
  • Carry out other relevant tasks on request and agreement with the line manager.

The above list contains the main duties and responsibilities for this position. IUCN ECARO staff members are expected to show flexibility and be willing to undertake other tasks that are reasonably allocated to them but which are not part of their regular job description.

Salary

The gross annual salary for this position is 34.680 EUR subject to deductions for social security contributions and health insurance, and before tax. 

Requirements

  • Master’s degree (or higher) in a subject related to the field of environment or engineering;
  • Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in a field related to natural resource management, climate change, or related fields, with at least 5 years in an international setting;
  • Work experience in Eastern Europe, North and Central Asia with particular emphasis on the Western Balkans;
  • Excellent knowledge of global environmental standards and frameworks, e.g. the Paris Agreement, SDGs and Sendai Framework;
  • Good understanding of the IUCN NbS Standard and experience with NbS implementation on the ground;
  • Knowledge of human rights-based approaches;
  • Proven experience in coordination and management of international projects, ability to coordinate multi-disciplinary teams, including governments, experts, civil society and the private sector;
  • Capacity to work effectively under time pressure and during extended hours if required;
  • Willingness to travel within the region, sometimes at short notice;
  • Excellent command of English; knowledge of other languages spoken in the region is an asset;
  • Computer literacy in MS Office packages;
  • Excellent organizational and networking skills, team-oriented attitude and ability to work independently

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.