The IUCN European Regional Office provides vital linkages for IUCN Members, National Committees, Commissions and the Secretariat to governments, EU institutions, NGOs, scientists, practitioners, the private sector and other stakeholders to accelerate the implementation of the European Green Deal, the EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy and related national and regional biodiversity plans. It supports the mainstreaming of biodiversity within national and EU policy processes and promotes Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to social, environmental and economic challenges.
Through its programme on Nature-based Solutions, the IUCN European Regional Office provides valuable knowledge and capacity building for their development and upscaling, demonstrating the importance of conserving and restoring biodiversity, ecosystems and their services to address global challenges such as adaptation to climate change, natural hazards and disasters, health, water and food security, while creating regenerative business and development opportunities.
Under the direct supervision of the Director of the European Regional Office, the Nature-based Solutions Senior Project Officer will have the following responsibilities and perform the following tasks:
Responsibilities:
Provide support to the development and implementation of the IUCN European Work Programme;
Lead the European Nature-based Solutions team;
Manage IUCN European projects with a specific focus on the Nature-based Solutions thematic area;
Lead the development of project proposals, and strategic partnerships in collaboration with IUCN Secretariat, Members, commission experts and partners;
Coordinate the gathering of evidence and disseminate knowledge and best practices on Nature-based Solutions to target audience in Europe and internationally;
Represent IUCN in selected events, meetings and fora;
Support IUCN’s fundraising efforts for NbS in Europe;
Support and provide strategic and technical advice for EU policy influencing, representation, and engagement in Europe.
Specific tasks:
Coordinate and oversee European projects related to Nature-based Solutions;
Prepare and monitor project work plans and budgets, ensuring timely and quality implementation of projects;
Disseminate project results with IUCN constituency, partners, national authorities and EU policy-makers;
Oversee and manage staff in the NbS team, providing guidance and leadership and ensuring effective communication and feedback, as well as learning opportunities to strengthen expertise and skills;
Ensure healthy NbS portfolio in Europe and support identification of funding opportunities and development of high-quality project proposals;
Work with national and subnational governments and the private sector for increased awareness, sectoral integration and implementation of NbS;
Develop and maintain IUCN’s involvement in NbS-related networks and initiatives in Europe and with the European Commission;
Contribute to the institutional leadership of IUCN in further developing and improving the NbS Standard as well as its application, leveraging lessons learnt from Europe;
Cooperate with European IUCN Members and relevant actors to ensure that IUCN’s knowledge and tools related to Nature-based Solutions are disseminated and reflected at national and EU levels;
Follow relevant policy processes at national and EU levels and contribute to strengthening the engagement with countries, EU institutions and IUCN constituency in Europe;
Liaise with EU institutions in support of the implementation of the European Green Deal and integration of NBS in relevant EU policy sectors, such as infrastructure, urban development, climate change, agriculture, forestry and financing;
Act as a technical representative for IUCN at European meetings and ensure the communication of outcomes and information to relevant parties in European and global networks on the issues listed above.
Requirements:
At least 7 years’ experience working in a comparable role;
Proven project management experience and skills;
Knowledge of EU funding programmes with particular emphasis on Horizon Europe;
Good knowledge of the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions and the EU Green Deal;
Familiarity with the European Horizon NbS community;
Expertise in private sector engagement on nature and sustainability;
Demonstrable experience in partnership building and fundraising;
Experience in supervising staff;
Strong communication, interpersonal and presentation skills;
Solution-oriented approach: demonstrates an ‘outside the box’ attitude;
Demonstrated ability for critical thinking, analysis and strategic planning;
Outstanding writing and editing skills;
Excellent command of English; French and other European languages an advantage;
Ability to cope with varied workload and able to work independently;
Willing and able to travel internationally as required.
