Central Asia Nature-based Solutions Project Officer

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, bringing together more than 1,400 member organizations, including states, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations, as well as 17,000 voluntary experts in its Commissions. The IUCN Secretariat has offices located all around the world and is headquartered in Gland, Switzerland.
The IUCN Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECARO) promotes IUCN’s mission and implements the IUCN Programme in Eastern Europe and Central Asia as part of the IUCN Statutory Region East Europe, North and Central Asia. ECARO’s long-term goal is protection of biodiversity and sustainable use of natural resources in the region.
The IUCN ECARO Nature-based Solutions (NbS) Programme works to strengthen regional capacity, mainstream NbS into policies and planning, and support the practical implementation and scaling-up of NbS across Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The Programme works closely with national and international organisations, practitioners and experts to promote and implement NbS in different sectors.
In response to the growing volume of activities, IUCN is seeking to recruit an experienced and enthusiastic candidate to join the IUCN ECARO team as Central Asia Nature-based Solutions Project Officer, with a specific focus on Nature-based Solutions in the agriculture sector.

Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Nature-based Solutions Programme Manager, the Central Asia NbS Project Officer will be responsible for coordinating and managing NbS projects across the ECARO region. The role will support the application and rollout of the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions, as well as related knowledge standards, tools and approaches.
The Central Asia NbS Project Officer will work closely with the ECARO NbS Team, the IUCN Central Asia Regional Coordinator/Head of Representative Office in Uzbekistan, IUCN Thematic Centres and Commission members. Particular emphasis will be placed on advancing Nature-based Solutions in the agriculture sector and collaboration with the IUCN Global Food and Agricultural Systems (FAS) Team.

General duties
- Support the development and implementation of the IUCN ECARO NbS Programme with a particular focus on the application of NbS in the agriculture sector and agricultural landscapes;
- Coordinate and manage NbS projects across the ECARO region.
- Support the identification of new funding (project) opportunities and contribute to the development of new NbS projects in the ECARO region.
- Pursue new partnerships and promote collaboration with national and international organisations, IUCN Members, Commission experts, and other partners across the ECARO region.
- Actively promote knowledge generation, management and dissemination.

Specific duties
Project implementation and development
- Manage a defined set of concurrent NbS projects at different stages of the project cycle (development, implementation, closure) – the specific projects will evolve over time –ensuring each effectively delivers against the results frameworks, indicators and work plans;
- Ensure high-quality project coordination, including the preparation and monitoring of work plans and budgets, and technical and financial reports;
- Manage the procurement of goods and services and the preparation of service contracts in full compliance with IUCN policies and procedures;
- Oversee the work of external experts and implementation of field activities;
- Undertake logistical and administrative tasks related to project implementation, including event planning and management;
- Actively manage project-related partnerships with international organisations, national authorities, research institutes and academia, and civil society organisations;
- Actively promote the dissemination and application of IUCN NbS knowledge tools and standards;
- With the support of the communications team, ensure appropriate communication and visibility of project activities and outcomes;
- Support the finance team in providing up-to-date information on financial allocations and project spending for the purpose of ECARO management reports and annual planning and budgeting;
- Support other IUCN ECARO programmes in activities thematically aligned with the NbS portfolio;
- Actively contribute to the identification of new funding opportunities and lead and support the development of new project proposals.

Other duties
- Represent IUCN ECARO at NbS programme-related events;
- Participate in regional strategic planning and programme coordination meetings;
- Promote IUCN’s work on NbS in a technically competent and informed manner in national and international fora;
- Carry out other relevant tasks on request and agreement with the line manager.

SALARY
The gross annual salary for this position is in the range from 27,997 EUR to 34,996 EUR before tax.

The Central Asia Nature-based Solutions Project Officer will be required to travel frequently, specifically in relation to programme development, project implementation, and partnership management.