Senior Policy Officer, United States

IUCN is seeking a Senior Policy Officer for its North America Regional Office in Washington, DC, starting January 20, 2025. This full-time role involves developing strategic relationships with U.S. government agencies and enhancing collaboration on international policy issues related to biodiversity conservation, climate change, and protected areas. Responsibilities include managing partnerships, securing funding, and contributing to global policy work. The position is a max-term contract for 36 months, with a closing date for applications on January 7, 2025.
Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Location: North America Regional Office, Washington D.C., United States of America

Reporting to: Director, IUCN North America Office

Work percentage: 100%

Grade: SP

Expected start date: 20 January 2025

Type of contract: Max-term (36 months with possibility of renewal)

Closing date: 07 January 2025 (extended)

BACKGROUND

The US Policy Officer will contribute to the overall policy positioning of the Union through the development, reinforcement and implementation of IUCN's strategic relationships with the United States government. IUCN’s government agency members include US State Department, USAID, Department of Interior (USFS and NPS), Bureau of Oceans, Energy and Management, and NOAA. This position will also contribute to strengthening IUCN’s collaboration with the US government and NGO members through regular consultation and discussion regarding IUCN’s views and perspectives around priority issues in international policy engagement - including but not limited to the United Nations and the Rio Conventions as well as in its Programme. Areas of thematic emphasis include protected areas, landscape scale management, nature-based solutions and finance, climate change, and species conservation, among others. A critical component of the role relates to helping to secure and mobilize resources and budget allocations in support of international biodiversity conservation.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The North America Senior Policy Officer will have the following primary responsibilities:

• Contribute to the development and management of IUCN's strategic relationships with its government agency members, including US State Department, Department of Interior, NOAA, Bureau of Ocean, Energy and Management, and USAID.
• Support IUCN’s policy interactions with US government and help IUCN represent the work of the Union through Capitol Hill and other USG events.
• Support the management of the US State Department IUCN Framework Partnership and seek new funding opportunities leveraging IUCN’s PIO status.
• Help advance USG efforts that increase funding made available for global biodiversity conservation, including but not limited to: USG allocations for the GEF and setting up and securing $100 million for the proposed US Foundation for International Conservation.

The North America Senior Policy Officer will have the following secondary responsibilities:

• Contribute to IUCN’s global policy work related to the Rio Conventions, in collaboration with the Centre for Policy and Law and working with NARO Policy Advisors and other means of shaping as well as distributing IUCN global policy messaging.
• In close collaboration with the UN Permanent Observer in New York, support IUCN’s US-based policy-related work with the United Nations (UNGA, High Level Political Forum, SDGs, etc)
• Develop, consult and contribute to policy briefs, position papers (as appropriate), analytical materials, discussion and information papers, as well as communication products relating to US government and broader international environmental policy.
• Actively contribute to fundraising efforts by IUCN-US and the Centre for Policy and Law and Regional Office for North America in order to enhance IUCN’s policy engagement in North America.
• Contribute to budget management, staff management, programme planning, monitoring and reporting as appropriate.
• Support the North American Regional Director, in close collaboration with the Director of the Centre for Policy and Law, in the development and delivery of specific priority policy initiatives, engaging the US government in a program of work including policy-relevant events, publications, and other outputs.

REQUIREMENTS

• •At least 10 years’ experience in working with the US government; with experience working on international policy processes dealing with sustainable development and the environment, and experience with multilateral organizations and/or the UN system strongly desired.

• • Advanced university degree in international relations, economics, law, or a related field.

• • Negotiation and advocacy skills, especially in intergovernmental processes.

• • Ability to work effectively within a large, decentralized workforce of professionals of different nationalities and to mobilize it for common goals.

• • Excellent interpersonal, collaborative, and team building skills.

• • Demonstrated ability to communicate to a wide range of audiences, orally and in writing.

• • Fundraising skills considered an asset.

• • Knowledge of the Union including its decentralized Secretariat structure, Commissions, Members and governance system preferred.

• • Excellent English, working knowledge of French and/or Spanish preferred.

• • Position location is in Washington DC and must be willing to travel as needed.

SALARY

The gross annual salary for this position is between USD 119'983 and USD 149'979. 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.

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
https://twitter.com/IUCN
#J-18808-Ljbffr

Skills:
Alliance/Partner Management, Analysis Skills, Best Practices, Biodiversity, Budget Management, Budgeting, Climate Change, Communication Skills, Conservation, Consulting, Data Analysis, Economic Development, Economics, Ecosystems, Energy Management, English Language, Finance, French Language, Funding, Fundraising, Government, International Relations, Interpersonal Skills, Legal, Negotiation Skills, People Management, Policy Development, Position Papers, Program Planning, Publications, Resource Management, Spanish Language, Sustainability, Team Lead/Manager, Team Player, Willing to Travel

About the Company:
Iucn