The main objective of the position is to maintain technical liaison and regular exchange within and amongst the membership of the AfESG, governmental, non-governmental agencies, donor organizations and their counterparts on issues related to African elephant conservation and management, and to oversee the day-to-day administrative work and technical coordination of the activities of the AfESG Secretariat.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
A. TECHNICAL
I. Support to the AfESG membership and its ongoing activities
a) Respond to all technical queries made to the AfESG Secretariat from within and beyond the membership, or direct them as appropriate.
b) Liaise with and assist the Chair on all issues related to the work of the AfESG on human-elephant conflict.
c) Liaise with and assist the Chair and members of the AfESG Data Review Working Group on all aspects of the AfESG’s data needs
II. Coordination of technical undertakings of the AfESG staff
a) Under direction from the Chair, co-ordinate the day-to-day work of the AfESG Secretariat to deliver on all AfESG technical needs
III. Fund-raising for the AfESG
a) Draft funding proposals to support activities related to the operations of the AfESG including fundraising to cover core operating costs for the AfESG Secretariat.
b) Assist the Chair with other fund-raising activities
IV. Other technical undertakings
a) Liaise with members and partners on the formulation of national, sub-regional and continental conservation strategies for the African elephant
b) Update and maintain a collection of recent, published and unpublished documents covering all aspects of African elephant conservation and management
c) Help to maintain a computerised bibliographic database of all relevant literature
d) Oversee technical preparation for AfESG meetings
e) Oversee the write-up of the proceedings of the AfESG meetings, including articles for Pachyderm, the minutes of the formal AfESG meetings (e.g. various meetings of the membership and Task Forces) and any other technical outputs from the meetings
f) Help solicit and collect articles for Pachyderm, the biannual journal of three Specialist Groups (African Elephant, African Rhino and Asian Rhino) and liaise with the Editor of Pachyderm on all stages of the production and distribution of issues
g) Write and submit regular reports to Species, the Newsletter of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC)
h) Write reports to the Chair of the SSC, as and when requested
i) Oversee and control the quality of the technical content of the AfESG website
j) Work with partners on delivering technical documentation to policy audiences, including CITES
B. ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
I. Management of the AfESG offices, staff and administrative matters
a) Under direction from the Chair, co-ordinate and oversee the day-to-day work of the AfESG Secretariat to deliver on all AfESG administrative needs
b) Oversee and monitor all incoming and outgoing contracts of the AfESG
c) Administer and oversee compliance with the Memorandum of Understanding between the AfESG and IUCN
II. Reporting
1. External reporting
Organize, co-ordinate and/or write technical progress reports to all AfESG donors
2. Internal reporting
a) Co-ordinate the preparation and delivery of all reports and updates to the Chair from the AfESG Secretariat including weekly briefing documents and monthly reports
b) Liaise with the Administrative Officer on matters concerning the tracking and reporting of all AfESG finances, including the maintenance of accounts for all ongoing projects
III. Serving the Membership and Partners of the AfESG
a) Maintain regular correspondence with the appointed membership
b) Respond to all administrative queries made to the AfESG from within or beyond the membership, or direct them as appropriate
c) Correspond on a regular basis with current and potential donors and donor agencies on the activities of the AfESG
d) Act as the AfESG focal person and, as and when requested, act as the Secretary to the AfESG Task Forces and Working Groups
IV. Preparation for AfESG Meetings
a) In close collaboration with the Chair, and the staff of the AfESG, organise and oversee all logistical preparations for AfESG meetings (e.g. various meetings of the membership, Task Forces and Working Groups)
b) Liaise with Administrative Officer on preparation of relevant administrative and financial documents for the meetings
V. Other Administrative Undertakings
a) Liaise with the Species Programme office in Switzerland on all matters of mutual concern
b) Abide by the Memorandum of Understanding between IUCN and the AfESG
c) Abide by the Guidelines for the Operation of SSC Specialist Groups with relation to geographical areas in which there is a permanent IUCN Representation, when these become available
C. GENERAL DUTIES
Perform other assignments and tasks at the request of the Chair of the AfESG.
REQUIREMENTS
• An advanced degree: preferably, Masters in biological sciences with five years of experience in conservation in Africa
• An ability to work co-operatively with others, both in an office situation and with members of the voluntary network
• A good grounding in conservation biology and taxonomy
• A good understanding of the practical aspects of biodiversity conservation
• An excellent command of English is essential, good knowledge of French is preferred
• Experience in species conservation policy
• Demonstrated editing experience
• A good command of computers, including working knowledge of MS office
• Experience with and knowledge of website management, including Google Apps.
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).
Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: http://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/
About IUCN
IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges.
IUCN works on biodiversity, energy, human livelihoods and greening the world economy by supporting scientific research, managing field projects all over the world, and bringing governments, NGOs, the UN and companies together to develop policy, laws and best practice.
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