Biodiversity Conservation Assistant

Closing date: 15 January 2013
BACKGROUND

The IUCN Brussels Office is an out-posted Headquarters unit providing global services to the organization. With premises located in Brussels, Belgium, the Office provides vital linkages for IUCN (and its Members, National Committees, scientific Commissions and the global Secretariat) to key European Union (EU) institutions and other public and private actors with regional headquarters in Brussels. The principal focus of the IUCN Office in Brussels is policy influencing and fundraising at the EU level.

IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges.

IUCN works on biodiversity, climate change, energy, human livelihoods and greening the world economy by supporting scientific research, managing field projects all over the world, and bringing governments, NGOs, the UN and companies together to develop policy, laws and best practice.

IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental organization, with more than 1,200 government and NGO members and almost 11,000 volunteer experts in some 160 countries. IUCN’s work is supported by over 1,000 staff in 45 offices and hundreds of partners in public, NGO and private sectors around the world.

IUCN’s European region covers the European continent, Russia and Central Asia, and includes the European Union overseas entities. Representing one third of the global membership, this is IUCN’s largest programmatic region. Four offices in Switzerland, Belgium, Georgia and Serbia coordinate action in the region. Together we strive to meet our goals for a sustainable future by using the expertise and the strength of the global IUCN network.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direct supervision of the IUCN Regional Biodiversity Conservation Officer, the Biodiversity Conservation Assistant will support the work and projects related to IUCN knowledge products (species and ecosystems) in Europe. This will include activities such as providing support in the coordination of certain project tasks, assisting in the organisation of workshops, contributing to carrying out research on certain topics, and assisting in writing technical reports, as well as a range of administrative activities.

This assignment will include the following responsibilities:

• Assist in the implementation of the Mediterranean Red List of Saproxylic Beetles, Dung Beetles and Butterflies, including the identification of experts, collaboration with experts and any other duties required to accomplish this task;
• Assist in the implementation of a European Red List of Pollinators, Medicinal Plants and Marine Fishes, including the identification of experts, collaboration with experts and any other duties required to accomplish this task;
• Assist in the development and implementation of future Red List assessments;
• Support the development of project proposals that require specialized input on biodiversity issues;
• Attend relevant biodiversity related meetings and workshops;
• Assist organising workshops and meetings;
• Provide a range of administrative support functions on a day-to-day basis (e.g. processing of invoices, consultancy contracts etc);
• Assist in keeping track of financial management of the programme.

REQUIREMENTS

• A University degree in environmental sciences, biology, ecology or a discipline that is relevant to biodiversity conservation;

• A minimum of 2 years’ professional experience in nature conservation;

• Good understanding of the EU decision making process and familiarity with EU nature conservation policies;

• Affinity with the vision and mission of IUCN;

• Experience and ability in networking within multi-cultural environments, with a wide range of experts and stakeholders;

• Good organizational, administrative, reporting and communication skills;

• A motivated self-starter with an ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines without compromising the quality of outputs;

• Excellent written and spoken English skills (other languages are an asset);

• Experience working with Excel and Access databases;

• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
APPLICATIONS
Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the "Apply" button.

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/