The Science and Strategy Group (SSG) is considered one administrative entity, and has evolved from the previous Ecosystems and Livelihoods Group, Asia construct. It brings under one umbrella all component thematic programmes in IUCN.
IUCN works to help mainstream nature into business and finance solutions, as well as unlock the potential of private-sector operations and financial services in achieving more nature-positive economies and societies.
Nature provides the basis that supports human prosperity and economic systems. The business sector, from micro-enterprises in developing countries to large multinationals, depends on natural resources in achieving profitable and sustainable outcomes. At the same time, businesses’ adverse impact on the natural world is often due to the lack of financial and other incentives to restore, protect and conserve nature at scale.
While often considered part of the problem, business and finance are increasingly becoming part of the solution. By addressing their environmental footprint and investing in nature, businesses of all sizes can identify new opportunities, respond to consumer demand for responsible behaviour, pre-empt regulation, support sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities including indigenous peoples, reduce their footprint, and save costs and natural resources.
Job Description
The Senior Programme Officer serves as the lead regional expert to manage and grow IUCN Asia’s portfolio of projects and activities for effectively engaging with private business, enterprise and financial sectors. She/he drives the regional agenda and strategy in contributing to IUCN’s Nature 2030 Programme for transformative change among business and finance stakeholders – corporate sector firms, enterprises including start-ups, governments and civil society organisations – to invest in and value nature. The position’s primary responsibilities include:
Programme development, coordination and reporting
Develop and deliver a coherent and impactful portfolio of work to generate knowledge, tools and approaches that incorporate private business sector engagement and innovative finance mechanisms, including due diligence and risk assessment, into IUCN Asia’s regional programme.
Coordinate region-wide and institutional thematic teams and supervise staff (e.g. business and finance, livelihoods for nature) in project portfolio management, monitoring and reporting, pipeline development, resource mobilisation and capacity building.
Contribute to and champion institutional learning, tools, and strategies regarding private sector engagement for nature.
Enhancing strategic partnerships with private sector
Develop region-wide strategies for nurturing partnership between conservation and business sectors across IUCN Asia’s programme areas (i.e. species and habitats, marine and coastal ecosystems, water and wetlands, protected and conserved areas, forest and agriculture) and in project design and implementation across countries/subregions.
Serve as key technical resource person for public-private partnerships, financial and economic analyses, sustainable business models, enterprises and livelihoods, and IUCN’s convening role between Union members (including NGOs and indigenous people’s organisations) and private-sector actors to build mutual trust for collaboration.
Become member of the regional task management team for IUCN’s role as implementing agency of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and as accredited entity of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and other multi-lateral financing schemes.
Promoting innovative finance for nature conservation
Facilitate assessment and formulation of innovative financing options and sustainable business models to support programme/project agendas for biodiversity and nature conservation.
Guide and oversee project teams in the design and roll out of novel financial tools, products and services – as part of integrated project approaches for mobilising investments from corporate sector and finance, government and multilateral sources.
Coordination and communication
IUCN Asia Regional Office: Provide administrative coordination and team representation roles for the Science and Strategy Group (SSG), which consists of the senior technical leads for regional programme areas/strategic themes.
IUCN Centre for Economy and Finance: Serve as regional focal person and member of the Centre’s global thematic team.
IUCN Secretariat: Liaise between Asia regional secretariat and relevant IUCN Commissions, members and other Union constituents – on business, finance and economic themes.
External stakeholders: Enhance IUCN’s strategic linkage with key business and finance stakeholders in the region through partnership platforms, knowledge-sharing networks, dialogues and events, and public communications outlets.
Others:
Carry out other relevant tasks assigned by, and mutually agreed with, the line manager/ senior management team.
Requirements
Master’s degree in relevant academic areas (e.g. business administration, finance and investment, economics and policy, relevant social and interdisciplinary sciences).
Comprehensive expertise knowledge on business, finance and economics as applied to nature conservation, sustainable development and/or environmental and natural resource management.
Work experience of at least eight years in applying economic and finance methodologies/tools for: sustainable business and supply chains, financing biodiversity conservation, climate investment and action, integrated ecosystem restoration, green growth policies and strategies, and economic sector transformation.
Proven track record in leading collaborative teams, project cycle management, resource mobilisation and donor/funder engagement, and multi-stakeholder partnership development.
Multi-country work experience in Asia region in a cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment of regional or international organisations; private-sector related experience is a plus.
Ability to deliver quality outputs within agreed deadlines to meet institutional and donor requirements.
Excellent written and spoken English; proficiency in an Asian language is an advantage.
Willingness to travel for domestic and international duty missions, and flexibility to render service beyond usual working hours if urgently required.
