Lead - Freshwater Biodiversity

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES

In the Science and Data Centre, the Lead - Freshwater Biodiversity is responsible for: i) coordinating all project development for freshwater species, ii) management and implementation of a portfolio of freshwater biodiversity focused projects, iii) line management of freshwater staff, iv) acting as Secretarial focal point for Species Survival Commission Specialist Groups covering freshwater species and, v) technical input on freshwater biodiversity assessments to the IUCN Secretariat. Responding to IUCN’s recent re-organization, it is expected that the role will have a particular focus on developing new projects with other IUCN Centers (International Policy, Conservation Action, Climate and Finance, Society and Rights) and its Secretariat Regional teams worldwide.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Lead on freshwater species conservation

• Develop and coordinate freshwater biodiversity assessment projects (with a focus on The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) to secure and expand IUCN’s thematic expertise in this area.
• Lead, in collaboration with other IUCN experts on technical analysis, reporting and publication of project outputs for target audiences
• Coordination of, and regular communication with IUCN staff teams to facilitate a joined-up approach to conserving freshwater species and habitats in IUCN, including (but not limited to: extinction risk assessments, green status (species recovery) assessments freshwater ecosystem assessments, global swimways, eDNA surveys,)
• Develop a programme of work on freshwater connectivity, working with relevant IUCN teams and experts on CMS and swimways
• Act as the secretarial focal point for engaging with the Species Survival Commission Specialist Groups and Indianapolis Zoos’ Global Centre for Species Conservation


Manage staff, projects and finances

• Management and implementation of freshwater biodiversity assessment including primary responsibility for reporting to donors, in accordance with IUCN’s relevant policies
• Maintain accurate records of freshwater project implantation and generate financial forecasts in support of IUCN’s project planning and implementation cycle
• Line management of all freshwater biodiversity staff (currently one Programme Officer), volunteers and research students


Project development and fundraising

• Identifying potential sources of funding to support freshwater assessments and the delivery of the Water component of the IUCN Nature 2030 programme
• Developing new funding proposals, working collaboratively with IUCN Secretariat, Members, Commissions and partners to advance the freshwater conservation


Communications and outreach

• Primary freshwater expert for communicating on IUCN’s freshwater biodiversity assessments, metrics and research to the international arena, in particular to the Ramsar Convention, the WCC, and CBD
• Lead on monitoring the implementation of IUCN Resolutions
• Lead on freshwater content for each IUCN World Conservation Congress (Members’ Assembly and Forum).

Travel

Regular travel worldwide to manage workshops, facilitate meetings, and present at conferences.