The Scientific Coordinator will support the execution of the portfolio of projects through the Science Team, with a primary focus on coordination, stakeholder engagement, and project management. Application of IUCN Standard Knowledge Products, such as the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and derived products like STAR, will be a common theme, and these are expected to be harnessed as appropriate in all projects.
Most if not all Science projects will be implemented jointly with the IUCN Commissions and/or with peer conservation science-related institutions and networks, both among the IUCN Membership and beyond it. Most if not all projects will also anticipate written outputs for publication into the peer reviewed literature, either into independent scientific journals or as IUCN publications, as well as presentations in scientific and policy-related conferences and other fora.
The Scientific Coordinator will serve a substantial role in facilitating end-user's (conservation organisations, governments, businesses) efforts to calibrate STAR analyses at their specific sites through organizing meetings, coordinating between technical experts and stakeholders, supporting the deployment of the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (ibat-alliance.org), and liaising with other Science Team staff, in all cases in support of measurement of Rapid, High-Integrity, Nature-positive Outcomes. The Scientific Coordinator will provide essential project management support including tracking project timelines, organizing stakeholder meetings and workshops, preparing meeting documentation and minutes, coordinating reporting processes, and problem solving.
As the Scientific Coordinator will be based in an African IUCN office, it is anticipated that the Scientific Coordinator will work with regional data and information mobilization, support the preparation of written outputs for publication and assist in data compilation for presentations in fora and conferences in the regional context. For the first year of employment, it is anticipated that 100% of time will be spent on Science Team projects; however, from the second year onwards, up to 15% of the Scientific Coordinator's time may be supported through engagement in regional projects.
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
Organize, facilitate, and lead meetings and workshops with end-users and external organizations (typically 5-10 participants) to support their efforts to calibrate STAR in order to guide conservation actions in their areas of interest, including scheduling, preparing agendas, coordinating participant engagement, documenting outcomes, and ensuring follow-up actions are tracked
Coordinate interactions between end-users, technical experts (e.g., IUCN SSC Members), and IUCN tools and systems, serving as a liaison point for stakeholder communications
Support the implementation of Science Team projects through project coordination activities including timeline management, meeting organization, event preparation, stakeholder liaison, and coordination with the broader network of partners and contributors
Facilitate the application of data and knowledge products mobilised against IUCN standards (including but not limited to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and Red List of Ecosystems, the World Database of Key Biodiversity Areas, and the World Database of Protected Areas including IUCN Green List and World Heritage sites) as appropriate in all projects, including assisting with data compilation and preparation
Coordinate (and sometimes lead) training sessions and provide guidance to staff, partners, and communities on the use of IUCN tools and systems
Support dissemination of results, with particular attention to integrating regional data through (a) assisting with the preparation of presentations for scientific and policy-related conferences and other fora and (b) supporting publication processes into the peer reviewed literature, either into independent scientific journals or as IUCN publications, including coordinating author contributions and preparing supporting materials
Fulfil project coordination responsibilities for tracking and reporting on relevant aspects of the Science Team project portfolio, including maintaining project documentation, coordinating reporting cycles, and liaising with finance team on budget-related matters
Prepare and maintain comprehensive meeting minutes, action item lists, and project documentation
Perform other duties as may be assigned from time to time.
REQUIREMENTS
MA or MSc, or higher degree, in conservation-related scientific field or relevant field with demonstrated interest in conservation science
Fluent in both English and French
Excellent people skills, organization, and attention to detail essential, with demonstrated ability to lead meetings with external stakeholders (up to 10 participants) independently and represent an institution such as IUCN professionally
Strong project management and coordination skills required, demonstrated through specific examples of managing multiple simultaneous projects with diverse partners (please provide brief examples in your application cover letter)
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including meeting facilitation, minute-taking, and documentation abilities required
Comfortable working with data and supporting data compilation and preparation using tools such as IBAT
Ability to work independently and take initiative in coordinating across multiple stakeholders essential
Experience coordinating or collaborating with stakeholders at local, national, and international levels very useful; experience leading stakeholder meetings an asset
Experience working in conservation contexts in the Global South useful; please describe specific regional experience in your application, including countries and organizational contexts
Familiarity with Nature Positive frameworks and global conservation targets, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework useful.
Demonstrated capacity to communicate scientific information clearly to diverse audiences