Posted:Jul 28
By:Hiring Kenya
Company Details
Industry:
Non-Profit Organization Management
Description:
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together. Created in 1948, IUCN has evolved into the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network. It harnesses the experience, resources and reach of its 1,300 Member organisations and the input of some 16,000 experts. IUCN is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it. Our experts are organised into six commissions dedicated to species survival, environmental law, protected areas, social and economic policy, ecosystem management, and education and communication. The ability to convene diverse stakeholders and provide the latest science, objective recommendations and on-the-ground expertise drives IUCN’s mission of informing and empowering conservation efforts worldwide. We provide a neutral forum in which governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples groups, faith-based organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges. By facilitating these solutions, IUCN provides governments and institutions at all levels with the impetus to achieve universal goals, including on biodiversity, climate change and sustainable development, which IUCN was instrumental in defining. Combined, our knowledge base and diverse membership make IUCN an incubator and trusted repository of best practices, conservation tools, and international guidelines and standards. As the only environmental organisation with official United Nations Observer Status, IUCN ensures that nature conservation has a voice at the highest level of international governance. IUCN’s expertise and extensive network provide a solid foundation for a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects around the world. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being. They also produce a wealth of data and information which feeds into IUCN’s analytical capacity. Through their affiliation with IUCN, Member organisations are part of a democratic process, voting Resolutions which drive the global conservation agenda. They meet every four years at the IUCN World Conservation Congress to set priorities and agree on the Union’s work programme. IUCN congresses have produced several key international environmental agreements including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the World Heritage Convention, and the Ramsar Convention on wetlands. We continue to help these conventions strengthen and evolve so that they can respond to emerging challenges. Our Member organisations are represented by the IUCN Council - the governing body. Headquartered in Switzerland, IUCN Secretariat comprises around 900 staff in more than 50 countries. Our vision A just world that values and conserves nature. Our mission Influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. Our history IUCN was founded in October 1948 as the International Union for the Protection of Nature (or IUPN) following an international conference in Fontainebleau, France. The organisation changed its name to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources in 1956 with the acronym IUCN (or UICN in French and Spanish). This remains our full legal name to this day. Use of the name "World Conservation Union”, in conjunction with IUCN, began in 1990. From March 2008 this name is no longer commonly used.
Job Description
Summary of Key Functions:
- Provide effective executive-level support to the Regional Director.
- Manage the Regional Director’s relations with internal and external partners.
- Manage the accurate and coordinated flow of communication in and out of the Office of the Regional Director.
- Coordinate special projects in the Office of the Regional Director.
- Ensure proactive engagement, communication and interaction with members of IUCN ESARO (staff, IUCN Members, Commissions, Council, partners) by the Office of the Regional Director in order to strengthen IUCN ESARO’s role in carrying out its mission in the region.
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
MEMBERSHIP.
- Ensure there is proactive engagement, communication and interaction with members/commissions by the Office of the Regional Director in order to strengthen IUCN’s role in carrying out its mission in the region
- Support the Regional Director on all matters pertaining to the Regional Conservation Forum (RCF) and the World Conservation Congress (WCC).
- Promote membership growth and retention by fostering collaboration among IUCN Members, Commissions, and partners.
- Facilitate Member involvement in key forums and initiatives.
- Providing convening support for regional events comprising of experts and policy makers in the area of nature conservation, climate change and sustainability.
- Serve as the focal point for IUCN ESARO in organising large scale events and other key significant events within the region.
- Provide political and strategic guidance on the background for meetings and events and related protocol.
- As major events liaison, facilitate the communication and linkage with key stakeholders including Commissions, Members and HQ staff.
- Coordinate with program leads to identify and map out the key policy engagements for the region.
- Responsible for coordinating all operational aspects of ESARO conferences in close collaboration with the staff that are responsible for programming, logistics, systems, and communications.
- Preparing meetings and site visits linked to event planning and participating in said meetings or visits.
- Ensure adequate management of any crisis or unforeseen events.
- Manage outreach and facilitate conference and convening-related contracts in the region.
- Develop and maintain relationships with hotels in the cities in liaison with the country offices for events to fully leverage planning and logistical capacity.
- Develop and adhere to event plans and timelines, including internal and external deadlines
- Travel as necessary for site selection visits, conferences, etc.
- Develop and implement a regional membership engagement strategy.
EXECUTIVE AFFAIRS;
- Develop effective systems and procedures to ensure that the Office of the Regional Director runs efficiently and effectively.
- Provide high-level executive support to the Regional Director to deliver organization’s overall strategic objectives.
- Manage the Regional Director daily work (diary/email management, meetings/events, travel logistics, correspondence, etc.)
- Manage the accurate and coordinated flow of communication in and out of the Office of the Regional Director.
- Manage the Regional Director’s relations with external partners and donors.
- Ensure the Regional Director has necessary preparatory/briefing documents in advance of meetings and appointments.
- Design and manage a tracking system to ensure ad hoc actions are followed through to completion.
- Draft documents, letters, and reports. This includes editing and reviewing documents drafted by others for dissemination by the Regional Director.
- Coordinate the IUCN ESARO Regional Management Team and Regional Leadership Team meetings. This includes minute taking, tracking decisions and reporting on IUCN’s management/leadership meetings.
- Maintain an accurate paper and electronic filing system.
- Coordinate special projects in the Office of the Regional Director ensuring the timely and effective delivery of work plans and objectives. This includes but not limited to:
- Compiling and disseminating program materials and documents
- Support implementation of new initiatives and projects
- Coordinate strategic Regional Leadership and Regional Management meetings and follow-ups.
- Support implementation of regional priorities and strategies.
- Track and report on progress of regional initiatives.
- Coordinate special projects in the Office of the Regional Director
- Ensures the Regional Director receives regular and timely progress reports from unit heads reporting directly to him/her, including regular meetings with the heads of such units.
- Oversee the Regional Director’s Office’s finances.
- Any other duties as assigned by the Regional Director
REQUIREMENTS
REQUIRED SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES
Education and Work Experience.
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Social Sciences or related field. Post graduate qualifications added advantage.
- A minimum of 10 years' work experience in an Executive role ideally at Regional Director’s level.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English & French, both written and verbal is a must.
Education: Degree, Diploma
Employment Type: Full Time
