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Senior Programme Officer – BIODEV2030
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BACKGROUND
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A LOCALLY RECRUITED POSITION
BACKGROUND:
Halting biodiversity decline is an urgent imperative to secure the sustainable provision of vital ecosystem goods and services that underpin humanity’s sustainable development, such as food, fibers, timber, carbon sequestration, water regulation, etc. By adopting the Kunming-Montreal Global Framework for Biodiversity in December 2022, the States have affirmed a strong ambition for biodiversity, notably through its mainstreaming into all economic sectors and the adoption of sustainable production practices that preserve nature (links to targets 10, 14, 15, 16, 18 and 19).
Launched in 2020 in 16 pilot countries, with funding from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and coordination by Expertise France, the first phase of the BIODEV2030 project initiated a dynamic multi-stakeholder dialogue based on science, which mobilised, in each country, all stakeholders - States, private sector, civil society organisations, indigenous peoples and local communities, citizens, men, women and young people - around this vital issue, in close collaboration with each National Focal Point of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
In Uganda, this first phase focused on the agriculture and energy priority sectors and value chains, identified by the diagnosis and dialogue as priorities for biodiversity and the country's economic development. The dialogue established within the multi-stakeholder platforms supported by BIODEV2030 has fostered the emergence of a shared national vision for transforming production practices in favor of biodiversity. Concrete avenues for voluntary commitments have been identified, discussed, and validated by national stakeholders. This transformative vision has also been integrated into the action plans and strategies of economic sectors and businesses.
Building on the results of the first phase and the dynamics of the multi-stakeholder platforms, the aim of the second phase of the project (2023-2026) is to contribute to the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal agreement by promoting the adoption of production practices that reconcile biodiversity and development. At national level, this will involve supporting national public authorities in their reform of sectoral public policies in priority sectors to encourage this change in practices. In addition, at the level of a specific landscape, the project will support the stakeholders in this pilot region in collectively identifying the actions to be taken to reconcile development and biodiversity. Projects for the transition to "nature-positive" practices, or even nature-based solutions, will be developed on the basis of the actions identified, and then submitted to potential funders.
The project will also strive to create a community of practice: regular webinars, the CBD COP16 in 2024 in Turkey and the IUCN World Conservation Congress in autumn 2025 will all provide opportunities for capacity building, experience sharing, dissemination of good practice and presentation of country initiatives, with the aim of inspiring even wider mobilization.
BACKGROUND:
Halting biodiversity decline is an urgent imperative to secure the sustainable provision of vital ecosystem goods and services that underpin humanity’s sustainable development, such as food, fibers, timber, carbon sequestration, water regulation, etc. By adopting the Kunming-Montreal Global Framework for Biodiversity in December 2022, the States have affirmed a strong ambition for biodiversity, notably through its mainstreaming into all economic sectors and the adoption of sustainable production practices that preserve nature (links to targets 10, 14, 15, 16, 18 and 19).
Launched in 2020 in 16 pilot countries, with funding from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and coordination by Expertise France, the first phase of the BIODEV2030 project initiated a dynamic multi-stakeholder dialogue based on science, which mobilised, in each country, all stakeholders - States, private sector, civil society organisations, indigenous peoples and local communities, citizens, men, women and young people - around this vital issue, in close collaboration with each National Focal Point of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
In Uganda, this first phase focused on the agriculture and energy priority sectors and value chains, identified by the diagnosis and dialogue as priorities for biodiversity and the country's economic development. The dialogue established within the multi-stakeholder platforms supported by BIODEV2030 has fostered the emergence of a shared national vision for transforming production practices in favor of biodiversity. Concrete avenues for voluntary commitments have been identified, discussed, and validated by national stakeholders. This transformative vision has also been integrated into the action plans and strategies of economic sectors and businesses.
Building on the results of the first phase and the dynamics of the multi-stakeholder platforms, the aim of the second phase of the project (2023-2026) is to contribute to the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal agreement by promoting the adoption of production practices that reconcile biodiversity and development. At national level, this will involve supporting national public authorities in their reform of sectoral public policies in priority sectors to encourage this change in practices. In addition, at the level of a specific landscape, the project will support the stakeholders in this pilot region in collectively identifying the actions to be taken to reconcile development and biodiversity. Projects for the transition to "nature-positive" practices, or even nature-based solutions, will be developed on the basis of the actions identified, and then submitted to potential funders.
The project will also strive to create a community of practice: regular webinars, the CBD COP16 in 2024 in Turkey and the IUCN World Conservation Congress in autumn 2025 will all provide opportunities for capacity building, experience sharing, dissemination of good practice and presentation of country initiatives, with the aim of inspiring even wider mobilization.
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB PURPOSE:
The Senior Programme Officer, BIODEV2030 will work closely with the Regional Programme Coordinator, Senior Management Team and relevant IUCN ESARO staff. They will work externally with public authorities at national and local level, business leaders, professional and sectoral associations, CSOs and CSO networks, academics, financial players The Senior Programme Officer, BIODEV2030 will be the project's focal point in his/her country. He/she will work under the supervision of the Country Representative, Uganda and collaborate closely with regional colleagues (coordination of regional programmes, strategic partnerships, etc.). He/she will coordinate and work with the project officers in the 15 other countries and with the global team, based in Gland (Switzerland), coordinating the project with the donor.
OVERALL RESPONSIBILTIES:
Ensure that the strategy for this second phase of the BIODEV2030 project is adapted to the national context, mobilize the relevant national players and resources and implement the project in Uganda, in close collaboration with the National CBD Focal Point.
In particular:
Create and/or maintain quality relations with the Ministries concerned and with all stakeholders (territorial authorities, academics, private sector, CSOs including IUCN members, donors and other financial players, institutional partners and project teams working on similar subjects, etc.) necessary for successful multi-stakeholder dialogue;
Ensuring the smooth running of the multi-stakeholder platforms, in support of the Ministries;
Developing briefing notes on sectoral public policy instruments to provide input for the authorities' discussions on changes in practices in the target sectors;
Take responsibility for the steering, administrative management and reporting of the project in compliance with IUCN and donor rules;
Ensure coordination with the global team, other IUCN programmes, colleagues and partners working on BIODEV2030 in other countries, to maximize synergies and share good practice;
Contribute to the advocacy for the adoption of productive practices in favour of biodiversity in country xx and to the implementation of adequate communication with the communication teams.
The assignment will involve travelling around the country as necessary to meet the various stakeholders at national and local level and to run workshops.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
Ensure that the BIODEV2030 phase 2 strategy is adapted to the national context, mobilize the relevant national players and resources and implement the project, in close collaboration and with the support of the Country Representative, and in coordination with the regional and global project teams;
During the launch phase, facilitate the emergence of a consensus between stakeholders on the strategy and priorities for phase 2 (sectoral public policies to be studied, choice of pilot territory, etc.) based in particular on the diagnoses and results obtained during phase 1 and working closely with the National CBD Focal Point;
Identify the contacts and establish relations with the government of Uganda (Ministry of the Environment, but also sectoral ministries and the Ministry of the Economy and Finance), the territorial authorities and all the stakeholders (such as, in particular but not exclusively, local businesses, sectoral associations, trade unions, members of the IUCN and CSOs, representatives of indigenous peoples and local communities, academics) that are relevant and necessary to the implementation of the project;
Facilitate and ensure the smooth running of the national and regional multi-stakeholder platforms, ensuring that the exchanges are participatory, inclusive and based on science, and that the stakeholders take ownership of them;
To develop briefing notes on sectoral public policy instruments in the priority sectors in order to provide input for discussions on changing practices in the target sectors;
Act as BIODEV2030's ambassador to institutional and financial partners (such as the FAO, IFAD, the European Union, the World Bank, bilateral public development banks, UNDP, etc., as well as the French Embassy and AFD) that manage or finance projects that present opportunities for synergy, as well as to all financial players (such as development banks and commercial banks) to promote the adoption of best practices for biodiversity;
Contribute to advocacy for the adoption of biodiversity-friendly production practices in the country by developing and supporting the implementation of appropriate communication with the communication teams;
Contribute to position IUCN as a key partner for Governments and other strategic stakeholders in the region, in facilitating the domestication of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework into the national framework and its implementation.
Ensure the planning, preparation and implementation of BIODEV2030 activities in the country:
Working closely with the regional project coordinator and the global team based in Switzerland, prepare and update the project work plan, ensure technical and budgetary planning and organize the necessary initiatives;
Develop the terms of reference for the workshops and the various services required to implement the activities;
Ensure compliance with procurement procedures and other IUCN and donor guidelines;
Monitor and report on activities, ensuring compliance with the donor's contractual requirements in terms of deadlines, including the submission of interim technical and financial reports.
Contribute to the dissemination of learning and good practice, to support the building of a regional community of practice around multi-stakeholder commitments for biodiversity:
Participate in webinars and workshops proposed by the project coordination team (Expertise France, IUCN, WWF-France) to exchange on the project method, share acquired knowledge and feedback, in order to feed the community of practice;
Liaise with IUCN global, regional and local programme teams and, depending on the subject, with Expertise France and WWF partners, to share information and feedback throughout the project and as often as necessary;
Support the project's overall communication strategy by helping to identify local initiatives and champions likely to contribute to BIODEV2030's advocacy for the adoption of biodiversity-friendly production practices at major events (COP16, IUCN Congress);
Ensure that IUCN's work to promote the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework and its integration into the national framework is effectively shared and widely disseminated.
Other Duties;
Carry out other relevant tasks assigned by, and mutually agreed with, the line manager.
Facilitate field visits for internal and external stakeholders
The Senior Programme Officer, BIODEV2030 will work closely with the Regional Programme Coordinator, Senior Management Team and relevant IUCN ESARO staff. They will work externally with public authorities at national and local level, business leaders, professional and sectoral associations, CSOs and CSO networks, academics, financial players The Senior Programme Officer, BIODEV2030 will be the project's focal point in his/her country. He/she will work under the supervision of the Country Representative, Uganda and collaborate closely with regional colleagues (coordination of regional programmes, strategic partnerships, etc.). He/she will coordinate and work with the project officers in the 15 other countries and with the global team, based in Gland (Switzerland), coordinating the project with the donor.
OVERALL RESPONSIBILTIES:
Ensure that the strategy for this second phase of the BIODEV2030 project is adapted to the national context, mobilize the relevant national players and resources and implement the project in Uganda, in close collaboration with the National CBD Focal Point.
In particular:
Create and/or maintain quality relations with the Ministries concerned and with all stakeholders (territorial authorities, academics, private sector, CSOs including IUCN members, donors and other financial players, institutional partners and project teams working on similar subjects, etc.) necessary for successful multi-stakeholder dialogue;
Ensuring the smooth running of the multi-stakeholder platforms, in support of the Ministries;
Developing briefing notes on sectoral public policy instruments to provide input for the authorities' discussions on changes in practices in the target sectors;
Take responsibility for the steering, administrative management and reporting of the project in compliance with IUCN and donor rules;
Ensure coordination with the global team, other IUCN programmes, colleagues and partners working on BIODEV2030 in other countries, to maximize synergies and share good practice;
Contribute to the advocacy for the adoption of productive practices in favour of biodiversity in country xx and to the implementation of adequate communication with the communication teams.
The assignment will involve travelling around the country as necessary to meet the various stakeholders at national and local level and to run workshops.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
Ensure that the BIODEV2030 phase 2 strategy is adapted to the national context, mobilize the relevant national players and resources and implement the project, in close collaboration and with the support of the Country Representative, and in coordination with the regional and global project teams;
During the launch phase, facilitate the emergence of a consensus between stakeholders on the strategy and priorities for phase 2 (sectoral public policies to be studied, choice of pilot territory, etc.) based in particular on the diagnoses and results obtained during phase 1 and working closely with the National CBD Focal Point;
Identify the contacts and establish relations with the government of Uganda (Ministry of the Environment, but also sectoral ministries and the Ministry of the Economy and Finance), the territorial authorities and all the stakeholders (such as, in particular but not exclusively, local businesses, sectoral associations, trade unions, members of the IUCN and CSOs, representatives of indigenous peoples and local communities, academics) that are relevant and necessary to the implementation of the project;
Facilitate and ensure the smooth running of the national and regional multi-stakeholder platforms, ensuring that the exchanges are participatory, inclusive and based on science, and that the stakeholders take ownership of them;
To develop briefing notes on sectoral public policy instruments in the priority sectors in order to provide input for discussions on changing practices in the target sectors;
Act as BIODEV2030's ambassador to institutional and financial partners (such as the FAO, IFAD, the European Union, the World Bank, bilateral public development banks, UNDP, etc., as well as the French Embassy and AFD) that manage or finance projects that present opportunities for synergy, as well as to all financial players (such as development banks and commercial banks) to promote the adoption of best practices for biodiversity;
Contribute to advocacy for the adoption of biodiversity-friendly production practices in the country by developing and supporting the implementation of appropriate communication with the communication teams;
Contribute to position IUCN as a key partner for Governments and other strategic stakeholders in the region, in facilitating the domestication of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework into the national framework and its implementation.
Ensure the planning, preparation and implementation of BIODEV2030 activities in the country:
Working closely with the regional project coordinator and the global team based in Switzerland, prepare and update the project work plan, ensure technical and budgetary planning and organize the necessary initiatives;
Develop the terms of reference for the workshops and the various services required to implement the activities;
Ensure compliance with procurement procedures and other IUCN and donor guidelines;
Monitor and report on activities, ensuring compliance with the donor's contractual requirements in terms of deadlines, including the submission of interim technical and financial reports.
Contribute to the dissemination of learning and good practice, to support the building of a regional community of practice around multi-stakeholder commitments for biodiversity:
Participate in webinars and workshops proposed by the project coordination team (Expertise France, IUCN, WWF-France) to exchange on the project method, share acquired knowledge and feedback, in order to feed the community of practice;
Liaise with IUCN global, regional and local programme teams and, depending on the subject, with Expertise France and WWF partners, to share information and feedback throughout the project and as often as necessary;
Support the project's overall communication strategy by helping to identify local initiatives and champions likely to contribute to BIODEV2030's advocacy for the adoption of biodiversity-friendly production practices at major events (COP16, IUCN Congress);
Ensure that IUCN's work to promote the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework and its integration into the national framework is effectively shared and widely disseminated.
Other Duties;
Carry out other relevant tasks assigned by, and mutually agreed with, the line manager.
Facilitate field visits for internal and external stakeholders
REQUIREMENTS
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• POSITION REQUIREMENTS: Post graduate degree in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, Natural Resource Management, Sustainable Development, or other related fields, MBA a plus 8+ years of work experience in working with public, CSOs and private sector stakeholders on conservation and/or sustainability including significant project management experience Further experience in public and private sector engagement on policy Fluency in English, a workable knowledge of French would be a plus; Required Skills and Competencies ; Good overview of the biodiversity legal and institutional framework in Uganda Demonstrated experience in building alliances, initiatives or platforms for change that leverage the capacity of partners Evidence of agile proactive thinking combined with an optimistic approach within a realistic framework Ability to draft policy briefs and summaries based on reports and studies Budget management with a good knowledge of the requirements of the main international donors Excellent communication and organizational skills Strong team player and good ability to use internal and external networks An understanding of the importance of working alongside indigenous peoples and local communities to deliver the best conservation outcomes Knowledge of policies and approaches aimed at safeguarding the rights and well-being of indigenous peoples and local communities Required Behavioral Skills; Adheres to IUCN’s values: transparency, public participation, full respect for human rights, rule of law, promoting gender equality and empowerment of women, commitment to excellence, environmental responsibility, integrity and ethical behavior Proactive approach to meeting deadlines and delivering results with limited supervision 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. The above TOR contains the main responsibilities and duties of this position. However, in an ever evolving organisation 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 TOR. Where any task becomes a regular part of staff member’s responsibilities, the TOR should be changed in consultation between the manager, the staff member and the HR Unit. Any one of the three may initiate the consultation. |
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: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/
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