Programme Officer (Climate Change and Biodiversity Programme)

We are looking for a technically competent, conscientious and motivated Programme Officer to work in our Climate Change and Biodiversity Programme.  The Programme aims to provide authoritative information to support decision-making at the intersection of climate change and biodiversity conservation policies.  The Programme’s work covers the impacts of climate change on biodiversity, the impacts of climate policy on biodiversity, and the role of ecosystems in climate change mitigation and adaptation.

This role provides the opportunity to contribute to a portfolio of high-profile projects that support effective decision making on biodiversity and climate change policy, with particular emphasis on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+), other mitigation (especially ecosystem restoration), and ecosystem-based adaptation. You will lead on one or more projects, managing inputs from other staff and working alongside leading REDD+ and adaptation experts, economists and GIS technicians to ensure successful delivery of important publications, reports and other information outputs.

You will have experience of working at the science/policy interface in the field of climate change or biodiversity. Your work with public- or private-sector decision makers will have included developing science-based information and materials. You will have a relevant post-graduate degree and good understanding of the intersection between climate change and biodiversity conservation issues.  You will have worked in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean or Asia - Pacific regions.  An ability to work in French or Spanish would be an advantage.

The Programme, with its experienced, ambitious and results-oriented staff provides an excellent environment to further develop your project / people management and technical skills, and strengthen your expertise within this sector.  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 within a group of like-minded people working at the science-policy interface, and have the necessary skills and experience (see person specification), we want to hear from you. Please complete our application form and send this with a CV and covering letter to the link on our vacancies page by 1st October 2020. Remote interviews will be held between 12th - 23rd October 2020.

Please note that this is not a UN post and that 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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Person specification

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