Communications Officer

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Communications Officer

Vacancy #:
7050
Unit:
Climate Change and Energy Transition
Organisation:
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Location:
North America Regional Office, Washington D.C., United States of America
Reporting to:
Senior Programme Officer
Work percentage:
100%
Grade:
P1
Expected start date:
15 January 2025
Type of contract:
Fixed-term (24 months)
Closing date:
25 November 2024
BACKGROUND
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. IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, Indigenous People’s 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.
IUCN’s Climate Change and Energy Transition team is part of IUCN Secretariat. The team leads IUCN’s global thematic work on climate change, both to limit the future impact of climate change and to help vulnerable communities and ecosystems adapt to unavoidable climate impacts. The team engages on climate issues from multiple perspectives; from assessing the risks that climate change poses to communities and biodiversity to advocating for improved climate policy and practice; advancing Nature-based Solutions for both mitigation and adaptation centred on improved conservation, management, and restoration of natural ecosystems; and guiding climate investments to avoid maladaptation and ancillary negative impacts on biodiversity and nature-dependent livelihoods.
The team works as a delocalised team across several IUCN duty stations with the staff divided between its Gland-based Headquarters, Bonn, and Washington D.C. Office. The incumbent will support the team in tasks related to the communications for several climate change adaptation projects.

• Enhanced design and implementation through capacity building & equitable access to knowledge;
• Increased evidence of biodiversity and societal benefits by documenting results, lessons learned and best practices;
• Adoption and scaling-up of Nature-positive, gender responsive adaption actions globally.

The Global Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) Fund is a funding mechanism for catalytic, innovative, and inclusive projects that aim to create an enabling environment for the implementation of EbA to enhance the resilience of vulnerable communities and ecosystems to the impacts of climate change.
With the focus on EbA, a nature-based solution that harnesses biodiversity and ecosystem services to reduce vulnerability and build resilience of human communities to climate change, the Fund is strategically positioned to connect and contribute to the delivery of global agendas on the Climate Change - Biodiversity nexus.
Friends of EbA (FEBA) network is a global collaborative network of organizations with a shared interest in advancing awareness, understanding and uptake of nature-based solutions in adaptation and resilience efforts around the world. More than 100 government ministries and sub-agencies, UN bodies and conventions, NGOs, research centres, and other institutions make up the Friends of EbA. IUCN serves as the FEBA Secretariat.
FEBA prioritizes collaboration and knowledge sharing across organizations and sectors, convening the global adaptation community around expert working groups, joint publications, technical workshops, and high-level events, with the belief that by working together we can accelerate global efforts on nature and adaptation.
Energy Transition Portfolio - Climate change and biodiversity loss have become an existential threat facing our planet, each exacerbating the effects of the other. To respond to these challenges, IUCN has developed a programmatic approach to support State members and non-state actors in their transition towards low carbon futures that align with the UNFCCC Paris Climate Goals whilst avoiding unintended consequences to nature and nature dependent communities and contributing towards nature positive goals.
The Global Initiative for Nature, Grids and Renewables (GINGR) is a collaboration between the IUCN and the Renewable Grid Initiative (RGI). GINGR is a platform for voluntary collaboration between state and non-state actors working with the shared interest of ensuring that future renewable and renewable grid systems are environmentally sustainable. It aims to support proactive accounting and disclosure of the impacts on biodiversity and measures put in place to ameliorate such impacts, with an ambition of progressing towards nature-positive outcomes.
IUCN engages with renewable energy operators to provide assurance mechanisms for the implementation of best practice towards nature and carbon commitments. To this end, IUCN establishes independent scientific advisory teams, with key objectives to provide guidance and recommendations to companies on the implementation of best practice tools and approaches for mitigating impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems at an operational level.
IUCN develops and promotes scientific guidance to ensure that key actors in the renewable energy sector have access to, and make systematic use of, the necessary knowledge, tools and lessons that enable the early identification and effective management of risks and opportunities associated to renewable energy production and transmission.
JOB DESCRIPTION

The Communications Officer will directly support the Climate Change & Energy Transition Team (CCETT) by raising awareness and addressing their communication needs. This role involves synthesizing knowledge into actionable insights, developing and implementing communication strategies to promote the multiple CCETT projects and initiatives.

Functions and Responsibilities

• Regularly assess communication needs of the team; develop and implement communication strategy based on the projects needs and team's business lines
• Ensure regular updates and maintain content accuracy across all digital platforms, including the IUCN website and social media channels.
• Provide communication guidance to the Team’s projects and proposals.
• Develop short news articles, newsletters and press releases to communicate programme results.
• Coordinate with regional teams to organise project site photo/media coverage as appropriate.
• Maintain a library of media coverage (digital publications, press releases, photographs, audio-visual materials, web resources, etc.) and media materials, monitoring the use and effectiveness of such materials.

• Lead knowledge exchange and capacity building initiatives under the NAbSA initiative to enhance design and implementation strategies that promote equitable access to information and skills.
• Document and disseminate findings, lessons learned, and best practices.
• Facilitate the adoption and scaling-up of nature-positive, gender-responsive adaptation actions globally, in alignment with the Global Affairs Canada Action Area programming on Environment and Climate Action and Gender Equality, as well as other donors and initiatives of the Team.
• Foster collaboration between stakeholders to create an enabling environment for the implementation of ecosystem-based adaptation, connecting these efforts to broader global agendas on the Climate Change - Biodiversity nexus.
• Coordinate with partners and donors to ensure alignment and support for the strategic goals of the CCETT, enhancing global impact and visibility.

• Support product development from end-user perspective: help with conception and design of products. This includes but is not limited to easy web structures, storytelling, infographics, factsheets, etc.
• Review technical content and provide corrections in language (English and French) and format to make project products usable for broad audience.
• Support communication of products with relevant audience (may include webinars, or events if relevant).
• Provide support in developing and reviewing educational and training materials.

Additional information

• The position may require international travel.
• Knowledge of IT and communication tools essential for effective remote collaboration.

REQUIREMENTS

• • Master’s Degree in a relevant field linked to sustainable development, climate change, environmental science, with a focus on communication for environment and development.
• A minimum of 5-7 years of professional experience in environmental or conservation communications.
• Demonstrated skill in crafting and executing successful communication strategies that engage diverse stakeholders (including, project beneficiaries, partner organisations, policy makers, donors, etc.).
• Proficiency in English, both written and spoken is required, with additional strong language skills in another IUCN official language (Spanish and/or French) strongly preferred.
• Ability to synthesise primary and secondary data, and scientific/academic and technical information int materials for a diverse audience.
• Proven ability to synthesise and communicate complex information, including reports, policy outcomes, and project results.
• Proven track record of working very diverse audiences and publics, from senior management to community teams.
• Track record of producing and designing tailored communication material and digital assets (using relevant design software: Canva, Adobe, etc.) for effective storytelling, ensuring CCETT projects and initiatives are accurately reflected and promoted.
• Management of IT tools (online administrative systems, Office and other information management platforms and videoconferencing) and online web management tools (WordPress, CMS).
• Personal qualities
• Time management skills, including the ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.
• High level of commitment to achieving biodiversity and livelihood conservation objectives.
• Strong interpersonal skills, capable of working in a multicultural environment.
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously under tight deadlines.
• Easy to relate to and work with a variety of stakeholders, including government representatives, the private sector, NGOs and academia.
• High level of adaptability and flexibility in a dynamic environment
• Sensitive to cultural and social practices of local groups, indigenous peoples' organisations from different countries and areas.

SALARY
The gross annual salary for this position is between USD 81'950 and USD 102'438. 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:
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