IUCN Director – Global Economics and Social Science Programme

Director – Global Economics and Social Science Programme

Status: Open (currently receiving applications)

           

Vacancy #:        512

Unit:     Global Economics Programme

Organization:     International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Location:           Headquarters, Gland, Switzerland

Reporting to:      Global Director - Nature-based Solutions Group

Work percentage:          100%

Function group: M2

Expected start date:       01 June 2013

Type of contract:            Indefinite

Closing date:     15 April 2013 (extended)

BACKGROUND

The establishment of an integrated economics and social science programme in IUCN represents a significant shift in how social and economic aspects of conservation are being addressed by the world’s largest conservation network. IUCN is repositioning the role of economics and social science within the institution from that of a general “cross-cutting” support function to the principal delivery mechanism for the development of flagship knowledge products and operational programmes.

The Director – Global Economics and Social Science Programme is responsible for the development and implementation of a programme of work that applies cutting edge economic and social science knowledge and practice to the delivery of IUCN conservation priorities. This new position will be responsible for consolidating IUCN’s current staffing capacity on economics, gender and social policy into a single cohesive team that effectively meets the organisation’s knowledge and capacity needs in terms of equitable, efficient and effective conservation and management of natural resources. IUCN already has significant social science capacity among its regional and headquarters-based Secretariat as well as the hundreds of expert volunteers who are members of IUCN Commissions, in particular the Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy, CEESP.

In particular, the Director will assume overall responsibility for the development, testing and delivery of two new “flagship” knowledge products: i) Natural Resource Governance Framework and ii) Human Dependency on Nature Assessment Framework, and for ensuring that these integrate operationally with IUCN’s existing knowledge products such as the IUCN Red Lists of Threatened Species and Ecosystems. The Director will also be responsible for systematically incorporating applied economic analysis, the application of rights-based approaches and gender responsiveness in the delivery of IUCN’s programme.

Based at IUCN Headquarters in Switzerland, the Director will work closely with the Chair of CEESP to ensure that the most recent knowledge from social science disciplines is effectively and appropriately applied to programme implementation and that IUCN’s own social science knowledge products and outputs meet credible standards in terms of peer-review and quality assurance.

The successful candidate will have an established track record as an environmental economist with a strong understanding of key issues across the broader field of social science, including social policy, rights, tenure and governance, gender, indigenous peoples and institutional and policy reform. S/he will have proven team-building and managerial skills. 

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director – Global Economics and Social Science Programme has overall responsibility for managing IUCN’s team of Economists and Social Scientists, both programmatically and operationally. At the programme level, s/he provides the leadership necessary to marshal, prioritize and direct the resources of the Global Economics and Social Science Programme. At the operational level s/he will build a single, well functioning and motivated team, ensure and sustain seamless collaboration with CEESP members, help IUCN’s Regional Offices build a strong and consistent social science platform that can work directly with IUCN Members and ensure that resourcing, quality assurance and risk management systems are properly and effectively implemented.

The Director will also work with the Chair of CEESP to help reinforce IUCN’s collaborative links with external networks of social scientists, with particular emphasis on environmental economics.

 

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Vision and Leadership
• Keep abreast of global and regional developments that directly impact on the economic and political economy aspects of biodiversity conservation, natural resource management and sustainable development
• Catalyze wider organizational interest and support for rights-based approaches, gender responsiveness and applied economic analysis in delivering IUCN’s mission and Programme
• Maintain and build interest and confidence in IUCN as a source of credible advice and support for addressing biodiversity conservation and natural resource governance challenges among social and economic development agencies; including multilateral development banks, UN organizations, bilateral donors and leading research institutions
• Participate in the processes of organizational development and change, ensuring that social and economic inputs to such processes are evidence-based and that IUCN’s approach to economic and social policy issues is understood and widely supported by IUCN Members and leadership.

2. Programme Development• Oversee and lead the development, implementation and monitoring of IUCN’s Global Economics and Social Science Programme, in close collaboration with IUCN Commissions, Regional and Country Offices and other Global Programmes
• In close collaboration with CEESP, oversee and guide the development, piloting and testing of IUCN’s flagship knowledge product to assess, track and diagnose the challenges and opportunities with respect to natural resource governance (Natural Resource Governance Framework), ensuring that potential applications are clearly demand-led and mutually reinforce the use of other IUCN flagship products
• In close collaboration with CEESP, oversee and guide the development, piloting and testing of IUCN’s flagship knowledge product to assess, track and quantify the degree of human dependency on natural resources (Human Dependency on Nature Assessment Framework), ensuring that potential applications are clearly demand-led and mutually reinforce the use of other IUCN flagship products
• Support the systematic and credible application of economic analysis, gender responsiveness and rights-based governance approaches in the implementation of IUCN-led conservation action and nature-based solutions to global challenges of climate change, food security and green economic development
• Take an institutional lead in defining IUCN’s approach to and engagement with the green economy agenda, ensuring consistency with any policy mandates endorsed by the IUCN membership and complementarity with the institution’s engagement and input to the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goal process.

3. Policy and Communications• Coordinate the analysis of relevant social and economic policy and the dissemination of policy information and advice on social and economic development to various parts of the Union and other networks in the most effective way
• Ensure that IUCN is adequately represented in relevant international fora and negotiations on nature-related social and economic development
• Develop and maintain appropriate collaboration and partnerships with relevant organisations on the application of social science knowledge to biodiversity conservation and natural resource management and the implementation of nature-based solutions to climate change, food security and green economic development.

4. Management and Resource Mobilization• Oversee the development and implementation of all social science related initiatives
• Manage the Global Economics and Social Science Programme, including human and financial resources, budgets, communications, and planning, assessment and reporting as required by IUCN systems
• Work closely with IUCN regions, Commissions and other thematic programmes to develop and maintain an appropriate project portfolio and funding for implementation of the IUCN Programme
• Seek and support capacity building in the various components of IUCN for reaching out to social and economic development agencies and institutions and effectively engaging them in the mission and work of IUCN. 

 

REQUIREMENTS

• A minimum of 15 years of professional experience in conservation or sustainable development, 5 of which should be at senior level.

• PhD or Masters Degree and demonstrated technical expertise in economics or associated field.

• A clear understanding of and demonstrated track record on issues pertaining to environmental social justice, gender equality and rights-based approaches.

• Excellent managerial, interpersonal and team building skills with a proven ability in strategic planning, programme cycle management, performance management, fundraising, and financial management.

• Familiarity with quality assurance procedures applicable to the development and piloting of social science field tools and knowledge products.

• Significant experience in conservation and sustainable development policy related matters with an ability to engage different stakeholders on issues of high political sensitivity while taking account of their different perceptions and attitudes.

• Strong outcome-based orientation and skills.

• Ability to work effectively within a large decentralized workforce of professionals of different nationalities and to mobilize it for common goals.

• Adequate knowledge and skills in the use of relevant computer programmes.

• Fluency in written and spoken English and preferably one or more of IUCN’s other official languages (French and Spanish).

• Willingness to travel.  

SALARY

The gross annual salary for this position is in the range from CHF 138'080 to CHF 172'600, subject to deductions for social security contributions and second-pillar pension, and before tax.

APPLICATIONS

Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the "Apply" button.
https://hrms.iucn.org/iresy/index.cfm?event=vac.show&vacId=512

 

Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST).

Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: http://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/

---

IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, was founded in 1948 and brings together over 1,100 members (States, government agencies, NGOs and affiliates) and some 11,000 scientists and experts from 181 countries in a unique worldwide partnership. Its mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. Within the framework of global conventions IUCN has helped over 75 countries to prepare and implement national conservation and biodiversity strategies. IUCN has approximately 1,100 staff, most of whom are located in its regional and country offices while some 150 work at its Headquarters in Gland, Switzerland. IUCN is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from qualified women and men.