The Programme Officer will play a key role in implementing IUCN’s Programme on Governance and Rights (GPGR), ensuring that IUCN’s work with Indigenous Peoples Organisations is coordinated and delivered effectively. In particular, s/he will be responsible for the design, planning, technical support and partnerships needed for effectively implementing a project portfolio that delivers the IUCN Indigenous Peoples strategy.
These projects will be jointly designed with IUCN Indigenous Peoples members as well as expert Commissions, Regional Offices, Global Thematic Units and local partners to translate national and international policy ambition and commitments associated with Indigenous Peoples’ rights into substantive, on-the-ground delivery.
The Programme Officer will provide oversight and coordination on project implementation and delivery. Ensure that the project portfolio is delivered through sound technical support and quality assurance with internal and external capacities strengthened for effective implementation. In doing so s/he will ensure projects under her / his management align to, and feed into, a robust and institutionally-aligned, monitoring, evaluation and learning system that will contribute to effective and evidence-based knowledge management and uptake.
The ideal candidate will be an indigenous leader or other professional who has worked closely with and on a mandate from indigenous peoples. They will also have significant experience in policy engagement around indigenous issues and practical insight on how to advance the provisions of UNDRIP in conservation. In addition, the candidate will have experience engaging indigenous peoples’ caucuses in regional and global fora and must be able to synthesize and respond to important issues common to indigenous peoples in multiple regions. The position is currently based at IUCN’s US Office duty station in Washington, D.C, U.S.
Section A – Duties and Responsibilities
1.Programme and Policy Implementation
•Build and maintain strong relationships with IUCN Indigenous Peoples Organisation (IPO) Members, ensuring their effective engagement within the Union and providing direct support for the implementation of the IPO self-determined Strategy
•Provide expert and technical guidance and inputs to IUCN policy engagement and related communications on indigenous issues in major sustainable development and environmental policy fora.
•Provide specific technical advice and inputs to IUCN regions and thematic units with respect to ensuring that the development of those portfolios are consistent with IUCN’s Indigenous Peoples safeguards and policy, with particular attention to the development of GEF, GCF and other large initiatives.
•Represent IUCN within its delegations to relevant policy fora and related meetings (e.g. UNPFII, EMRIP, UNFCCC, UNFF and CBD) and lead on developing and delivering policy messaging on indigenous issues at these events
•Guide and advise on the effective and systematic inclusion of monitoring and evaluation protocols on the recognition and advancement of Indigenous Peoples’ rights across the IUCN programme, with particular reference to the implementation of UNDRIP, in close collaboration with the Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation & Risk Unit
•Support the Director of GPGR in periodically reviewing the medium to long-term stability of the current portfolio, on-going and closed project performance, obstacles to the effective & timely delivery of on-going projects
•Lead on the direct implementation and management of specific projects as agreed with the Director GPGR.
2.Design of a project portfolio on Indigenous Peoples’ rights
•With IPOs, design, develop and implement a portfolio of projects that advance due processes, recognize, respect & reinforce Indigenous Peoples’ rights, integrates traditional knowledge into conservation action and facilitates the delivery of tangible “on the ground” benefits.
• Provide overall quality assurance, supervision and accountability for the development, implementation and delivery of the “Indigenous Peoples Strategy” portfolio, ensuring institutional operational consistency.
•Ensure projects are designed and implemented according to IUCN project management standards and best practices, involve IUCN regional offices, are delivered within budget and align with IUCN programme objectives.
•Coordinate and provide oversight on project delivery and identify and communicate project deadlines and benchmarks, ensuring these are met through ensuring effective project implementation with staff/partners/vendors.
3.Capacity building and knowledge generation
•Ensure the project portfolio is supported by a robust and targeted knowledge management system which, inter alia, identifies key audiences and champions, identifies and proactively manages targeted knowledge uptake pathways and establishes a publications timeline and communication plan.
•Support and help prepare IUCN Indigenous Peoples member organisations to engage effectively in all major meetings and decision-making processes of the Union, including World Conservation Congresses, Regional Conservation Fora and the preparation and submission of IUCN policy motions.
•Design and deliver technical training and capacity building on Indigenous Peoples issues to fill identified skills gaps and capacity issues within IUCN’s programmes and projects, and partners, governmental organizations, municipalities and communities.
•In conjunction with GPGR communications officer work closely with the IUCN’s Global Communications Unit to identify relevant and topical content that can contribute to IUCN corporate communications and thereby reach and engage a broad audience.
4.Partnerships, donor relations and resource mobilisation
•Connect and support members in engagement with relevant regional, country and programme staff for joint programme activities in support of implementing the IUCN strategy on Indigenous Peoples, whilst supporting the growth of the Indigenous Peoples members within IUCN.
•Foster and build partnerships with governments, multilateral institutions and the private sector that establish clear operational mandates for impact delivery, thereby demonstrating the influence and demand-responsive nature of IUCN’s work to donors and investors.
•In close consultation with the Strategic Partnership Unit and Director-GPGR, coordinate across IUCN to leverage intelligence and networks that facilitate and advance IUCN’s interests with respect to resource mobilization and donor engagement, with a particular (but not exclusive) emphasize on Indigenous Peoples
•Sustain the development of targeted and aligned project concepts and proposals required for the delivery of the Indigenous Peoples’ Strategy and the sustainable growth of the portfolio.
Section B – Competencies
1. Commitment and vision, characterized by:
•A commitment to a rights-based approach, nature conservation, and sustainable development.
•Ability to provide direction and guidance around a programme of work.
2. Integrity, maturity and trust, as characterized by:
•Integrity as evidenced by behaviour, communication style and way of handling ambiguous or difficult situations.
•Demonstrated commitment to working within teams diverse in gender, nationality and background to achieve results.
•A well-developed sense of self-awareness with an ability to proactively manage one’s own strengths and weaknesses and understand how these influence the performance and motivation of other colleagues.
3. Professional competencies, characterized by:
•A clear proven track record as a competent and established leader on Indigenous Peoples rights with an established legitimacy from Indigenous Peoples’ networks.
•A strong track record of building trust-based relationship with and among a range of stakeholders, including established and informal Indigenous Peoples Organisations, government regulatory authorities and executive agencies, civic leaders, private sector, media and other organisations.
•An understanding of how Multilateral Environmental and Human Rights Agreements interfaces with national policy and the role different stateholders in national policy implementation.
•Ability and commitment to act in accordance with the core values of integrity, respect for diversity and professionalism as spelled out in IUCN’s Code of Conduct and Professional Ethics.
•Ability to communicate analytical and technical concepts, evidence and outcomes in a manner that is accessible to non-expert audiences.
•Well-developed interpersonal skills
4. Commitment to accountable and high quality delivery
•A clear and unambiguous work ethic that understands the necessity of, and demonstrates willingness to adhere to, institutional procedures and standards
•A clear sense of institutional propriety with respect to accountability and transparency at both the individual and team level
•An enthusiasm for and commitment to understanding and contributing to tangible, equitable and durable change processes in the field of conservation and sustainable development
5. Sound judgment and decision making, characterized by:
•Experience in identifying key issues in a complex situation, and consulting, gathering, and analyzing relevant information before proposing and implementing decisive actions or recommendations.
•Well-organized and logical in thought and action.
•Ability to anticipate, assess and account for political and reputational risk associated with contested or divergent technical issues.
