IUCN Monitoring Officer, World Heritage

BACKGROUND

IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental network - a democratic membership union with more than 1,000 government and NGO member organizations, and almost 11,000 volunteer scientists in more than 160 countries. IUCN’s work is supported by more than 1,000 professional staff in 45 offices and hundreds of partners in public, NGO and private sectors around the world. Its headquarters are based in Gland, Switzerland. 

IUCN’s work focuses on valuing and conserving nature, ensuring effective and equitable governance of its use, and deploying nature-based solutions to global challenges in climate, food and development. IUCN supports scientific research, manages field projects all over the world, and brings governments, NGOs, the UN and companies together to develop policy, laws and best practice.

IUCN has a long-standing and high-profile role on World Heritage, delivered via the World Heritage Team positioned in the IUCN Centre for Conservation Action, and involving Union wide engagement on a wide range of issues. The Monitoring Officer will be responsible for supporting IUCN’s role under the World Heritage Convention of monitoring the state of conservation of natural and mixed World Heritage sites, and selected cultural landscapes, in certain regions, as well as contribute to relevant World Heritage policy, strategy, capacity building and communication activities as needed.

JOB DESCRIPTION

1. World Heritage Monitoring and Reporting

1.1 Ensure the timely and high-quality production of IUCN State of Conservation (SOC) reports for the World Heritage Committee on natural and mixed World Heritage sites and selected cultural landscapes, and support their presentation at annual Sessions of the World Heritage Committee, including participation in the necessary bilateral meetings and consultations with the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, other Advisory Bodies to the Convention, and States Parties before and during Committee sessions;

1.2 Carry out day-to-day research and monitoring on the state of conservation of natural and mixed World Heritage properties in defined regions, including through comprehensive analyses of technical reports (e.g. ESIA, SEA) received in line with paragraphs 172 and 174 of the Operational Guidelines, making early and regular contact with relevant experts to request information on the state of conservation of World Heritage sites, and verifying this information through IUCN networks including the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), Species Survival Commission (SSC), other Commissions, IUCN Centres within the Global Programme, and Regional Offices as appropriate;

1.3 Organise all relevant logistical aspects of IUCN Reactive Monitoring and Advisory missions, including planning, preparation, providing technical support and advice to mission experts, and the review and finalisation of mission repots, in close cooperation with field experts, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Advisory Bodies, and States Parties focal points, as required;

1.4 Support the maintenance and management of IUCN’s World Heritage monitoring systems, including the IUCN World Heritage Outlook;

1.5 Ensure the effective two-way flow of information on the conservation status and outlook of World Heritage sites, including between IUCN Regional and Country Offices, IUCN Commissions (especially WCPA and SSC), the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, IUCN Members and other relevant parties, including other Conventions and Multilateral Environmental Agreements;

1.6 Assist the Team in the production of technical and financial reports to donors;

1.7 Provide technical advice in support of maintaining accurate up to date geospatial data for World Heritage sites;

1.8 Participate fully in planning and delivering the development and improvement of the effectivness of IUCN’s conservation and monitoring system 

2. Communications and Networking

2.1 Contribute to content for communication materials (e.g. web stories, press releases, articles etc) on World Heritage, writing newsletters and other relevant IUCN and UNESCO communications activities.

3. Conservation Policy and Projects

3.1 Lead on defined World Heritage-relevant strategic conservation themes to provide technical input (e.g. climate change), policy coherence and support project fundraising and programme development responding to agreed priorities;
3.2 Brief the IUCN World Heritage Panel on State of Conservation issues where required to support the prioritisation of activities and reporting requirements. 

4. Other

4.1 Promote the World Heritage work within IUCN Secretariat, UNESCO and with IUCN members and partners;
4.2 Provide support to the evaluation process for new nominated World Heritage sites as required;
4.3 Support collaborative work across the IUCN Programme Centres and within defined target regions with IUCN’s regional offices and programmes;
4.4 Other duties related to the implementation of the annual World Heritage contracts and overall work of the Team, as discussed and agreed with the line manager.

REQUIREMENTS

• A Master’s degree with a focus on environmental science, natural resource management, or any other discipline that is relevant to nature conservation and protected areas.
• At least 2 years’ relevant work experience, and ideally longer in a relevant field.
• Very good understanding of contemporary environmental issues and a demonstrated ability to synthesize complex technical science.
• Knowledge of the World Heritage Convention is a strong advantage.
• Ability to work fluently in English and Spanish, both written and spoken. Proficiency in French (as a working language of the World Heritage Convention) is desirable.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and deliver quality products within agreed deadlines.
• Very strongly motivated by environmental, people-centred conservation and sustainable development issues.
• A strong aptitude and ability to communicate both informally (interpersonal skills and networking) and formally (presentations and meeting).