IUCN Junior Professional Assistant

IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural resources, was founded in 1948 and brings together nearly 1,100 members (States ,government agencies, NGOs and affiliates) and some 10,000 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 Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) covers twenty three countries in the Horn of Africa, Eastern Africa, Southern Africa and the Western Indian Ocean and is inviting applications from suitably qualified candidates to fill the following position of Junior Professional Assistant under its WISP (World Initiative for Sustainable Pastoralism programme):

Responsibilities

The Junior Professional Assistant will support the Team Leader to manage projects, project components and programmatic activities under the Drylands Programme Portfolio with a specific focus on but not limited to WISP.

He/She shall be responsible for providing programmatic administrative support to the WISP programme.

Specifically the Junior Professional Assistant will:-

1. Assist with the development and administration of annual work-plans, budgets, internal agreements, contracts and progress reports as required by collaborating partners, steering committee and donors;

2. Ensure due diligence in the planning, monitoring and evaluation and reporting of assigned project activities;

3. Assist the management of portfolio-related expenditures in accordance with IUCN procurement procedures; Compiling the WISP monthly newsletter, facilitating the translation into French, Spanish and Arabic and sending it out through WISPnet with the guidance of the WISP GC;

4. Managing the production of WISP outputs (studies, reports, policy notes, etc), including proof reading, recommending amendments to the products and getting them translated and finalized using the in house production team.

Competencies

• Minimum of a first degree in Social Sciences, Natural Resource Management or related field;
• Master’s degree and/or two years working experience are an asset;
• Strong knowledge and interest on Drylands and Pastoralism Development and the conservation issues associated with these themes;
• Excellent IT and communication skills (outlook, spreadsheet, word processing, database, website management);
• A strong command of English as a working language is essential, as well as French skills; written and spoken skills of Spanish or Arabic would be a distinct advantage; other UN languages are an asset.

The detailed terms of reference for the above vacancy is available at:

www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/

Applications

Applicants are asked to submit their CV in English and a supporting letter of motivation along with the names and contact details of three referees, one of whom should be a recent employer.

Applications should be submitted by e-mail before 9th November, 2011 to:

IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office
Email: earohr@iucn.org

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted