Regional Red List Programme Officer

Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Location: Cambridge Office, Cambridge, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Reporting to: Head, Red List Unit

Work percentage: 100%

Grade: P1

Expected start date: 01 September 2025

Type of contract: Fixed-term (24 months with possibility of renewal)

Closing date: 21 August 2025

BACKGROUND

IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, was founded in 1948 and brings together over 1,100 members (States, government agencies, NGOs and affiliates) and some 11,000 scientists and experts from 181 countries in a unique worldwide partnership. Its mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. Within the framework of global conventions IUCN has helped over 75 countries to prepare and implement national conservation and biodiversity strategies. IUCN has approximately 1,100 staff, most of whom are located in its regional and country offices while some 150 work at its Headquarters in Gland, Switzerland. IUCN is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from qualified women and men.

The salary for this position is £35k per annum.

JOB DESCRIPTION

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES

The Programme Officer performs a key role within the Red List Unit helping to coordinate regional Red List assessments for one of IUCN’s key Knowledge Products, The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This includes work on reviewing and processing of European and Mediterranean regional assessments submitted for publication on The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; overseeing assessment work; facilitating assessment or review workshops with relevant experts; facilitating Red List training courses; leading on analyses of regional Red List data for use in reports; extracting and compiling data for internal or external use; and carrying out specific regional assessment project work as required. The incumbent also provides general support to the Red List Unit helping with checking and finalising Red List Index assessments; processing fungi assessments for publication on the Red List, managing content on the Red List website; jointly responding to general enquiries to the IUCN Red List; and helping at Red List meetings as required. Much of the work requires close liaison and collaboration with other Red List Unit staff, staff from other IUCN offices, particularly in Brussels and Malaga, IUCN SSC Specialist Groups, and with project partners.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Processing assessments for Red List updates
• Process submitted assessments compiled through regional projects (specifically European and Mediterranean species assessments) for publication on the Red List, ensuring that the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria and the Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels are applied correctly, and the assessments meet the required supporting information standards.
• Check spatial data submitted with assessments to ensure the distribution maps meet the required standards outlined in the Mapping Standards and Data Quality for IUCN Red List Spatial Data.
• Assist with processing of assessments of national endemic species (produced via national Red List projects supported by IUCN) ensuring that the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria and the Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels are applied correctly, and the assessments meet the required supporting information standards.
• Assist with processing assessments for fungi species submitted for publication on the Red List.
• Liaise with assessors, including members of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and other assessors (e.g., working on regional assessment projects) to improve assessment quality where necessary and to ensure that all Red List assessments have been reviewed by the relevant Red List Authority.
• Work with relevant experts to check and finalise Red List Index assessments.

Contribution to activities associated with IUCN Red List and regional Red List updates
• Assist in checking functionality and data on the test Red List web site to ensure information for regional assessments has uploaded correctly and that website functionality is working correctly.
• Lead on analysing the regional Red List assessment information (tabular data and spatial) for use in regional Red List reports.
• Assist with the compilation of the Regional Red List reports and preparing the final data set to be available via the Red List Repository.
• Where required, assist with the preparation of media materials for the Red List launches and any other associated products/events (e.g. events held by the European Commission).

Red List workshops
• Travel internationally to attend Red List training and assessment/review workshops, as required (no more than four to six weeks per year).
• Provide facilitation and guidance for groups of experts participating in assessment/review workshops (particularly for regional assessment projects), to help them reach a consensus on appropriate Red List assessments.
• Coordinate assessment work (including any training and subcontracting of relevant experts) as required by regional assessment projects.
• Lead or assist with organising and facilitating Red List Assessor Training workshops.
• Assist with organising and facilitating Red List webinars to provide advanced training/guidance.

Improving public-facing Red List content and communications
• Assist with the creation of new content for the Red List website and ensure assigned pages/sections are kept up to date.
• Jointly respond to enquiries to the general Red List email address.
• Provide technical expertise to assist communications colleagues in responding to media enquiries.

Supporting other Red List Unit activities as required
• Assist in the preparation of funding proposals for new assessment projects.
• Assist with the preparation of project technical reports, as required.
• Contribute to meetings and workshops, as required.

REQUIREMENTS

• Education
• Post-graduate degree (MSc) in a relevant subject (e.g., conservation, ecology, biodiversity or natural resources)

Work Experience
• At least two to three years post-graduate relevant work experience, with proven experience of using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria at regional levels.

Skills
• Good understanding of the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, the regional guidelines, and the Red List assessment process.
• Required to pass the advanced level (?90%) online IUCN Red List Training course exam.
• Proficiency in the use of computer software programs and experience in data analysis.
• Excellent GIS mapping skills.
• Excellent data analytical skills.
• Excellent proof-reading, editing and writing skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Competencies/Behaviours
• Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to work on own initiative.
• Good organisational and decision-making skills.

Languages
• Fluency in English.
• Fluency in French and/or Spanish is advantageous.

Other requirements
Skills in web design, including use of HTML are advantageous.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervise junior staff and volunteers as required.

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.

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