Programme Officer

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic team-player to join our Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) Programme in delivering an exciting portfolio of work aimed at supporting decision making at the intersection of climate change and biodiversity conservation policies.

You will be joining a team of 14 enthusiastic colleagues team 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 support biodiversity conservation targets. You will provide technical insights and knowledge to these and other related areas of work, leading one or more projects aiming to deliver high quality outputs, as well as helping to identify further project opportunities, developing proposals for new work, and representing the Centre at international meetings when the need arises.

Specific responsibilities of the post include:

·         Developing and implementing effective work plans and monitoring and controlling budgets

·         Convening workshops and/or training sessions;

·         Analysing or synthesising data (e.g. with Geographic Information Systems);

·         Writing and editing publications, reports, web materials and other outputs;

·         Visiting partner countries to work collaboratively with stakeholders;

·         Contributing to the development of new CCB projects through preparing fundraising proposals.

In order to fulfil this role successfully you will have a Masters’ degree (or equivalent experience) in biological sciences, geography, ecology, environmental sciences, economics, social sciences or similar. You will have experience in: collaborative work at the science/policy interface in the field of climate change, biodiversity or ecosystem services; project implementation and management; developing useful science-based information and materials for decision-makers; costed project proposal development; and work in Africa, Latin America & the Caribbean or Asia-Pacific regions. Above all, you will possess good understanding of the intersection between climate change and biodiversity conservation issues, especially nature-based solutions.

We will provide you with the chance to work with like-minded and dedicated colleagues, in an environment that supports your technical and personal skills development, where you will work on challenging and high profile projects that really make a difference to the field of 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 where you can impress us with your determination and passion to see nature at the heart of climate change and biodiversity conservation policy and action, 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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