Conservation Scientist, Costa Rica (remote during COVID)

Conservation Scientist

• Vacancy #:   5569
• Unit:   Science and Knowledge Unit
• Organization:   International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
• Location:   Regional Office for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, San José, Costa Rica (Telecommuting from elsewhere in the world possible for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic).
• Reporting to:   Senior Scientist & Programme Manager
• Work percentage:   100%
• Grade:   P1 Expected start date:   15 March 2021
• Type of contract:   Fixed-term (24 Months with possibility of renewal)
• Closing date:   24 February 2021

BACKGROUND

IUCN’s Science & Knowledge Unit, within the Science & Economic Knowledge Team, supports the Union in maintaining: a) data and knowledge products mobilized against IUCN standards; b) relationships with peer conservation science-related networks; c) a culture of science and knowledge; and d) the development and production of IUCN’s flagship report. In addition, the Science & Knowledge Unit contributes to the design and implementation of  a portfolio of projects, for example, in supporting scientific aspects of the implementation of IUCN Resolutions, and in fulfilling scientific needs from other IUCN Programme Units.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Conservation Scientist will support the execution of the portfolio of projects through the Science & Knowledge Unit, within the Science & Economic Knowledge Team. Application of data and knowledge products mobilised against IUCN standards will be a common theme, and these are expected to be harnessed as appropriate in all projects. Most if not all Science & Economic Knowledge 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 (e.g., the Global Environment Facility). 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 Conservation Scientist will serve a substantial role in supporting the development of the IUCN flagship report, especially in supporting the coordination, data compilation, analysis, visualization, and publications aspects of the report. Likewise, the Conservation Scientist will also serve a substantial role in supporting the coordination of new work on science-based targets for species biodiversity. Finally, the Conservation Scientist will support project design and management involving tracking and reporting on the Science & Knowledge Unit project portfolio, and liaison with the GPOU for budget management aspects.

For the first year of employment it is anticipated that 100% of time will be spent on Science and Knowledge Unit projects; however, from the second year onwards, up to 15% of the Conservation Scientist’s time may be supported through engagement in IUCN ORMACC and SUR projects. As the Conservation Scientist will be based in San Jose at IUCN’s ORMACC office, and in line with the above-mentioned related responsibilities, it is anticipated that the Conservation Scientist will work with ORMACC and SUR data and information mobilization, written outputs for publication, and data analysis for the preparation of presentations in fora and conferences. The Conservation Scientist will receive support and will coordinate with the specialized staff from ORMACC and SUR on key IUCN themes such as Protected Areas; World Heritage; Green List; Landscape restoration; Climate change and Ecosystem-based adaptation; Coastal and Marine management; Governance and Rights.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

• Support the implementation of Science & Knowledge projects, in particular through the development of the metrics and methods for science-based targets for biodiversity, including GIS analyses in R, coordination, meeting and event organization and preparation, publications, and liaising with the broader network of stakeholders and contributing to novel analysis; including for ORMACC/SUR related positioning after the first year. Anticipated time: 45%
• Undertake a substantial role in supporting development of IUCN flagship reports, especially in supporting the coordination, data compilation, analysis, visualization, and publications aspects of the report. Anticipated time: 25%.
• Support the application of the 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) as appropriate in all projects, including contributing to novel analyses (e.g., of agriculture as a driver of extinction risk). Anticipated time: 10%.
• Support dissemination of results, with particular attention to integrating data from Mesoamerica, South America, and the Caribbean through (a) presentations in scientific and policy-related conferences and other fora and (b) publication into the peer reviewed literature, either into independent scientific journals or as IUCN publications. Anticipated time: 10%.
• Fulfil project management responsibilities for substantive tracking and reporting on the Science & Knowledge Unit project portfolio, and liaison with the GPOU on budget management aspects. Anticipated time: 10%.
• Engagement with other ORMACC/SUR projects and key institutional actors. Anticipated time: up to 15% after the first year.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

The duty station for this position is the Regional Office for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, San José, Costa Rica. However, IUCN recognises the challenges of re-location during the ongoing COVID19 pandemic, and so is flexible to allow a telecommuting arrangement from elsewhere in the world until vaccination rollout has advanced to the point that re-location is feasible and safe.

REQUIREMENTS  

• MA in conservation-related scientific field with 5 years experience or PhD in conservation-related scientific field required
• Analytical skills including geospatial analysis in R and other programming in R required
• Excellent writing and communications skills required
• Experience in convening scientific and technical workshops, meetings, or conferences very useful
• Excellent knowledge of the conservation-related scientific literature required
• Experience writing scientific and other publications very useful
• Excellent people skills, organization, and attention to detail required
• Fluency in English essential; Strong proficiency or fluency in Spanish desired; fluency in French useful
• Willingness to undertake some travel associated with the position required
• Experience of field conservation in the Global South useful
• Passion for conservation essential

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: http://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/

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 1,300 Member organisations and some 10,000 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.

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