VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Climate Change and Ecosystems Programme Officer
Reporting to: Head, Forest Conservation Programme Location: IUCN Headquarters, Gland, Switzerland Availability: Immediate Work percentage: 100% Contract duration: Thirty-six months, with possibility of extension Function group: P2
BACKGROUND
The 1990s was the warmest decade in the last 100 years, and 1998 was the warmest year on record. During the last century, global temperatures climbed by an average of 0.6 degrees Celsius, the largest increase in at least 1000 years. Emissions of carbon dioxide are 12 times greater today than a century ago. This is largely due to human use of coal, oil and gas for energy, and also the burning and conversion of forests for other land uses. Unless action is taken to dramatically reduce these emissions, the Earth is predicted to warm by another 1.4-5.8 degrees Celsius during this century.
As a result of this warming, snow cover is decreasing, glaciers are retreating, rainfall patterns are changing and extreme weather events are more frequent. Diminishing sea ice, increased coral bleaching and rising sea levels further add to global distress. The changes are triggering alterations in the range, distribution and population densities of a multitude of plants and animals around the globe.
Most of the world?s ecosystems will experience some impacts from climate change, which will have serious results for biological diversity and human livelihoods. Action must be taken now to not only tackle the root causes of climate change, but to assist vulnerable ecosystems and communities to increase their resistance and resilience to climate change and its impacts.
IUCN RESPONSE
The World Conservation Union (IUCN) has implemented a programme of work on climate change over the last several years, focused on policy and field projects linking climate change to ecosystems and livelihoods. Nearly every IUCN thematic and regional programme and Commission contributed to the implementation of this work programme. Please refer to
To address the threat of climate change and move proactively to reduce the vulnerabilities and risks to biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods, IUCN is recruiting a Climate Change and Ecosystems Programme Officer.
RESPONSIBILITIES *
The Climate Change and Ecosystems Programme Officer will be based in the Forest Conservation Programme (FCP), but will work directly with other thematic (Water, Marine, Drylands Programmes) and regional programmes. Within three months of taking up duty, the Programme Officer will develop a detailed work plan to include achievable targets over the first year, based on priorities identified through discussions with IUCN regional and thematic staff, members and partners.
The Programme Officer will be required to keep abreast of latest science and trends. His/her duties and responsibilities fall into three main categories:
Programme development
? Provide technical advice and guidance to IUCN thematic and regional programmes, commissions, members and partners in relation to the vulnerability and adaptation of ecosystems, species and livelihoods to climate change. ? Working with thematic and regional programmes and members and partners, develop a programme of work in those priority landscapes and seascapes that are most vulnerable to climate change impacts. ? Identify, develop, implement and/or disseminate tools and approaches to increase the resistance and resilience of natural and economic systems to climate change, including such approaches as forest landscape restoration, terrestrial and marine protected areas, wetland restoration, coastal and marine protection and management and economic diversification of vulnerable economic sectors, etc. and apply and or communicate these tools and approaches as appropriate.
Communications and networking
? Working with thematic and regional programmes and members and partners, facilitate regional networks for information sharing and implementation, in order to assist governments and local communities to develop and pilot practical responses to reduce the vulnerability of ecosystems and livelihoods to climate change. ? Based on the FCP membership surveys, develop an understanding of those IUCN members and partners working on climate change and ecosystems issues and activities, and develop and promote synergies, cross-learning, networking and joint programme development and implementation as appropriate. ? Conduct an initial needs assessment and, based on the outcomes, identify analytical work that is needed to most effectively communicate the potential impacts of climate change and the value of timely adaptive measures related to economic growth and development to key decisions makers and advocates in government, civil society and the private sector, and identify how and by whom the analyses should be conducted. ? Coordinate the Adaptation Working Group comprised of key members, partners and regions.
Contributing to MEAs
? As necessary and appropriate, work with communications, knowledge management and programme staff to distil lessons from climate change and ecosystems work and provide input to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Convention on Biological Diversity, the Ramsar Convention, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification and other international instruments dealing with impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change. ? Identify how IUCN?s work on Climate Change and Ecosystems could contribute to the implementation of the UNFCCC five-year programme of work on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change, including support to the development and implementation of national adaptation plans, policies and strategies.
The Programme Officer will also be required to:
? Undertake fundraising with bilateral and multilateral donors and foundations, as well as joint fundraising to support the work of IUCN, its members and partners as appropriate.
SELECTION REQUIREMENTS
? At least eight to ten years’ experience in the field of climate change, natural systems and processes and socio-economic impacts and diversification strategies; ? Demonstrated ability in programme development, the management of regional and global projects, and fundraising; ? An advanced degree in Environmental Sciences or Natural Resource Economics; ? Fluency in written and spoken English and a working knowledge of one of the other IUCN languages (French and/or Spanish) will be a distinct advantage; ? Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills; ? Experience in working and interacting with people of many and diverse cultures; ? Ability to work independently and as a member of a team, team building and remote team management; ? Experience in applying and/or implementing systems analysis to natural resource use and ecosystem management; ? Strong analytical and writing skills; ? Computer literacy is expected.
APPLICATIONS
Interested candidates who fulfill the selection criteria are asked to submit their CV and a supporting letter of motivation in English. The letter must specifically address the selection criteria in the order presented above. Applicants should further provide the names/contact details of three referees, including one recent employer.
Applications by email are preferred. They should be sent only to the following address before *24 March 2006:
Human Resources Officer, Human Resources Management Group The World Conservation Union (IUCN) 28 rue Mauverney ? 1196 Gland, Switzerland
Fax ++41 22 999 0339 E-mail:
