Head, Red List Unit

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Head of the Red List Unit is a critical role overseeing the production and maintenance of The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™, a key IUCN knowledge product (hereafter the IUCN Red List).

This role is vital in overseeing the scientific rigour and integrity of the Red List and that the assessments and any derivatives do not pose a reputational risk to IUCN.

The Red List Unit Head is the key focal point for all Red List matters and responds to and manages requests from the IUCN Director General’s Office, from the Deputy Director General, from the Director of Communications and the Global Communications Team, and from IUCN Regional Directors.

The duties and responsibilities of the Head of the Red List Unit fall into four categories:(1) Maintaining the Integrity of The IUCN Red List (2) Manage the Red List Publication Processes and (3) Promote communication of Red List information and protocols and (4) Management of the Red List Unit.

Leaderhsip and representation responsibilities commensurate with this role include advising senior leadership, participating in IUCN Red List governance and supporting matters related to IUCN's presence in the David Attenborough Building.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

1. Maintaining the Integrity of The IUCN Red List

• Overseeing the provision of technical support to users of the Species Information Service (SIS) and any associated systems to compile and submit assessments for publication on the IUCN Red List.
• Reviewing and processing of high profile or potentially controversial assessments submitted for publication on the IUCN Red List to ensure Red List and Green Status protocols have been followed.
• Ensure all Red List Unit staff follow the agreed procedures; providing them with supervision and training as required.
• Ensure Red List Unit staff liaise with staff in other assessment units within BAKT to ensure staff within those units have the necessary Red List training and follow the Red List procedures.
• Work with the IUCN Species Survival Commission and Red List Partners to ensure that the Red List and Green Status assessments are compliant with the relevant guidance documents, are rigorously reviewed before submission to the Red List Unit
• Participate in regular review, updating, production and circulation of various technical documents including: Using IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, Guidelines for Application of the IUCN Categories and Criteria at Regional Levels, Rules of

Procedures: IUCN Red List assessment process, Supporting Information Guidelines, Guidelines for the Green Status of Species, Mapping Guidelines, etc.)

• Assist the IUCN Red List Standards and Petitions Committee with the updating of Guidelines for Using the Red List Categories and Criteria and the Process for Handling Petitions.
• Advise on the development of taxonomic standards to be used on the Red List.
• Ensure that requests for technical assistance from users e. g.

IUCN SSC Specialist Group members, other IUCN staff and Red List Partners are handled by relevant staff members of the Red List Unit.

• Manage the IUCN Secretariat’s role in the Red List’s ethics and compliance processes, including any petitions or conflicts of interest.
• Oversee the development of Red List Training resources and activities.

2. Manage the Red List Publication Processes

• Ensure the periodic update and production of The IUCN Red List on the web.
• Advise and work with the software developers and data engineers (internal and external) to appropriately present and disseminate Red List assessment data.
• Advise and work with the software developers and data engineers (internal and external) to appropriately present and disseminate Red List assessment data Liaise with the Conservation Informatics Managers and their staff and any external developers on matters concerning the Species Information Service (SIS) database, the Red List website, Red List derivatives, etc.

3. Promote communication of the Red List

• Actively participate in Red List media events, including helping with preparation of media release materials, responding to media enquiries, and being available for interviews as a lead IUCN spokesperson, in liaison with the IUCN Global Communications Team and respond to their requests in a timely fashion.
• Communicate on various aspects related to the IUCN Red List and its derivatives.
• Respond to specific and/or sensitive enquiries to the IUCN Red List (includes enquiries from academics, media, government and intergovernmental officials, and people working for or on international MEAs such as CITES, CMS, CBD, etc. and, in some cases, the general public).
• Authorise use of The IUCN Red List brand and promote its correct usage where appropriate.
• Liaise with coordinators of other IUCN knowledge products mobilised using IUCN’s standards to promote linkage and compatibility between the products and to identify key areas for collaboration.
• Lead on or assist with the production of global analyses and other scientific publications on the results from the Red List.

4. Management of the Red List Unit

• Line management of Red List Unit staff, including preparation of annual work plans, conducting mid-year reviews and annual performance appraisals, etc.
• Management of the RLU finances including assisting the Finance team and Head of BAKT with preparation of the annual budget and mid-year financial review.
• Identify potential sources of funding and develop and submit new funding proposals adhering to IUCN’s internal policies on contracting to the Programme Planning Group and enter them into the Project Portal.
• Oversee the management, implementation and reporting of all projects that fall under the Red List Unit.

5. Leadership and Representation

• Provide technical support, including an annual activity report to the IUCN Red List Partnership and SSC.
• Participate as a member, or as chair/ co-chair as needed, of committees, task forces and working groups within the governance structure of the IUCN Red List.
• Serve as the IUCN representative on the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT) Data Requests Advisory Group to review and advise on unusual commercial requests to use the IBAT data sets.
• The Red List Unit Head is a member of the senior management group within the Biodiversity Assessment and Knowledge Team (BAKT) and provides advice and support to the Head of BAKT and to the Director of the Science and Knowledge Center, as well as to the Director General’s office and Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission, as needed.

The Red List Unit Head works closely with other staff across BAKT, the Science and Knowledge Centre, staff in other IUCN programmatic Centres, and with staff in IUCN regional and country offices, the staff of SSC Chair’s office, members of the SSC network, and colleagues in the Red List Partner organisations.

• The role supports the Duty Station head (IUCN office) in the David Attenborough Building with non-Red List matters as needed.

REQUIREMENTS

Education

A Ph D in environmental sciences or related subject (or equivalent experience).

• Work Experience
• At least ten-years of experience in a relevant field, but particularly in undertaking Red List assessments.
• Experience in international species conservation policy.
• Experience in international training programmes.

Skills

• Strong leadership qualities.
• Managerial experience.
• Strong facilitation skills.
• In depth understanding of Red List and Green Status methodology
• Technical experience in data collection, management and analysis.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience in preparing funding proposals.
• Familiarity with Arc GIS and/or Arc Pro
• Familiarity with Cloud-based computer systems and applications like Postgre SQL, Ruby on Rails, Git Hub, etc.
• A good grounding in conservation biology and taxonomy.
• A good understanding of the practical aspects of biodiversity conservation.
• Competencies/Behaviours
• Personal commitment to species conservation.
• An ability to work co-operatively with others, both in an office situation and with members of a voluntary network and with external partners.
• An ability to build an effective team that feels they are treated equitably, are motivated and feels sufficiently part of the process to make informed decisions.
• Good organizational and decision-making skills.
• Good time management and able to set priorities.
• Languages
• A very good command of English (and preferably Spanish and/or French), both written and spoken.
• Other requirements
• Ability and willingness to travel as required.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Experience developing and managing databases and/or websites is advantageous.

SALARY The minimum gross annual salary for this position is GBP 64'928.

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.