Associate Programme Officer

We are seeking a dynamic and organised team-player to help deliver an exciting portfolio of work that aims to support decision making at the intersection of climate change and biodiversity conservation policies.

You will be joining the Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) Programme’s 14-strong team in carrying out projects covering the impacts of climate change and related policy on biodiversity and ecosystem services, and the role of biodiversity and ecosystem services in climate change action. In this ‘super year’ for both climate change and biodiversity policy, a specific emphasis of the work will be Nature-based Solutions for climate change mitigation (including REDD+) and adaptation (ecosystem-based adaptation) that also support biodiversity conservation objectives. You will provide technical support to these and other related areas of work, performing project tasks that contribute to the delivery of high quality outputs and to the development of funding proposals that will allow the Programme and Centre to further its mission in the future.

Specific responsibilities of the post include:

·         Undertaking investigation of literature and datasets, and collecting, collating and analysing data;

·         Preparing draft text for technical syntheses, and contributing to other publications and information outputs;

·         Assisting with the implementation and administration of projects, including compiling financial and technical reports, organizing/attending meetings and events, and liaising with donors, clients and partners;

·         Responding to requests for information both internally and externally.

In order to fulfil this role successfully you will have a degree in biological sciences, geography, ecology, environmental sciences, economics, social sciences or similar. You will be able to demonstrate: interest and work experience in the environment or biodiversity sector; understanding of key biodiversity issues and concepts, especially in relation to climate change and biodiversity policy; skills in literature-based research and/or synthesis and analysis of biodiversity/environmental data; and ability to contribute to high quality outputs. A flexible approach and ability to multi-task are also key, and international experience would be an advantage.

We will provide you the chance to work with a group of like-minded and dedicated colleagues on challenging and high-profile international projects that make a real difference to biodiversity conservation in an area aligned to our strategic aims and broader global initiatives. In addition to training and development opportunities, we offer a competitive salary and benefits package, including generous pension contributions.

WCMC attaches great importance to addressing safeguarding and ethical considerations in all activities carried out by its staff, including where partner organisations or individuals are part of the delivery of our work. This includes children and vulnerable adults in the community who may be vulnerable to abuse. WCMC act with integrity, are transparent and expect applicants to share the same values.

If you are looking for a rewarding and challenging post and are a strong self-starter, motivated to see nature at the heart of decision making on climate change and biodiversity conservation, we want to hear from you. Please complete our application form and send it together with your CV and a short covering letter through the link below by 15th March 2020. Please note that this is not a UN post and we can only accept applications from those eligible to work in the UK.

The UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) is a global Centre of excellence on biodiversity. The Centre operates as a collaboration between UN Environment Programme and the UK registered charity WCMC. Together, we are confronting the global crisis facing nature. We do this through our unique position ensuring science, knowledge and insights shape global and national policy, and by collaborating with partners around the world to build capacity and create innovative solutions to environmental challenges. We use our position as respected custodians of powerful and trusted environmental data to create positive impact for people and nature.

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