Job Description

Vacancy #:	7427
Unit:	Global Communications Unit
Organisation:	International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Location:	Headquarters, Gland, Switzerland
Reporting to:	Senior Global Communications Manager
Work percentage:	100%
Grade:	P2
Expected start date:	01 January 2026
Type of contract:	Max-term (24 months)
Closing date:	26 October 2025

BACKGROUND

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, bringing together governments, civil society, scientists, and experts to conserve nature and accelerate the transition to sustainable development. Effective communication is essential to IUCN’s mission, ensuring that its projects, programmes, and knowledge products reach and inspire decision-makers, partners, and the wider public.
IUCN seeks a Communications Advisor (Project Strategy and Training), P2, to strengthen the organisation’s ability to communicate with impact. This role will focus on two key priorities: ensuring IUCN projects embed robust communications strategies from the outset, and building staff capacity across the Union through a self-service model of communications guidance and training.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Communications Advisor will (1) provide strategic communications support to IUCN projects, ensuring communications are effectively integrated and resourced at the project design stage, and (2) develop and lead a self-service communications support model, equipping colleagues across IUCN with the skills, tools, and confidence to become more effective communicators.

Strategic Communications Support for Projects (45%):
• Provide guidance to project teams during the design and proposal development stage to ensure communications objectives, strategies, and budgets are appropriately embedded.
• Advise on the identification of target audiences, key messages, channels, and activities tailored to each project’s objectives and with IUCN’s overall communications strategy.
• Co-create communications strategies with project leads
• Support project communications leads in sourcing images, data and stories to illustrate concrete project results on the ground.
• Review and quality assure project communications plans, ensuring they are realistic, resourced, measurable, and focused on impact.
• Serve as a focal point for integrating lessons learned from past projects into new communications approaches.
• In collaboration with senior members of the Global Communications Unit, prepare proposals to apply for funding for communication projects to support IUCN conservation goals.

Capacity Building and Self-Service Model (45%):
• Lead the design and implementation of a self-service communications model, providing IUCN colleagues with accessible guidance, toolkits, templates, and resources, in coordination with the Global Communications Unit team.
• Design and deliver communications training programmes (online and in-person) for IUCN staff, including project managers, technical experts, and regional offices.
• Establish a framework for continuous learning in communications, including knowledge-sharing sessions, webinars, and internal communities of practice.
• Develop and maintain a library of best practices, case studies, and training materials to support consistent, high-quality communications across the Union.
• Evaluate training outcomes and adapt methodologies to meet evolving needs.

Other activities (10%):
• Carry out other activities to support the communication objectives of IUCN

REQUIREMENTS

• Education: a university degree in communications, public relations, journalism, international relations, environmental studies, or a related field.

• Work Experience
• Minimum 8 years of professional experience in communications, with demonstrated experience in strategic planning, capacity building, and project-based communications.
• Experience developing communications strategies for international projects, ideally in the fields of conservation, sustainable development, or international cooperation.
• Track record in designing and delivering training or coaching programmes in communications.
• Experience in working with diverse stakeholders in a multicultural and international environment.

• Skills and Competencies
• Strong strategic thinking and planning skills with the ability to translate project goals into effective communications strategies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to different audiences.
• Experience with adult learning methodologies and training delivery.
• Familiarity with communications channels, tools, and performance measurement.
• Strong facilitation, interpersonal, and capacity-building skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across teams, regions, and cultures.
• Proficiency in English (required); knowledge of French and/or Spanish is an asset.

• Expected Outputs
• Project proposals consistently include impactful and resourced communications strategies.
• Increased communications capacity across IUCN through training, resources, and guidance.
• An established and functioning self-service communications support model accessible to all IUCN staff.
• Improved quality, consistency, and visibility of communications across the Union.

SALARY

The gross annual salary for this position is between CHF 100'355 and CHF 125'444, subject to deductions for social security contributions and second-pillar pension, and before tax. While this is an indicative amount effective as of the current date, changes may occur as per IUCN's compensation practices without prior notice. The same applies to other organisations hosted by IUCN.

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). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.

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

About IUCN

IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.

Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.

IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.

Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being.

www.iucn.org
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