Programme Support Associate Invasive Species
SKILLS
FULL DESCRIPTION
Programme Support Associate Invasive Species
The primary aim of this position is to support work on invasive alien species undertaken by the Biodiversity Assessment and Knowledge Team (BAKT) in Cambridge, and the IUCN’s SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG). This will include writing and updating species accounts for the Global Invasive Alien Species Database (GISD), writing and quality checking new IUCN Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT) assessments, and supporting the Programme Officers in the production and review of analyses and guidance documents, and the organising and running of meetings and workshops.
BACKGROUND
JOB DESCRIPTION
CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES
The primary aim of this position is to support work on invasive alien species undertaken by the Biodiversity Assessment and Knowledge Team (BAKT) in Cambridge, and the IUCN’s SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG). This will include writing and updating species accounts for the Global Invasive Alien Species Database (GISD), writing and quality checking new IUCN Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT) assessments, and supporting the Programme Officers in the production and review of analyses and guidance documents, and the organising and running of meetings and workshops. The position will also have responsibility for other invasive alien species activities as they arise.
SPECIFIC DUTIES
Provide support to all aspects of the IUCN Biodiversity Assessment and Knowledge team’s work on invasive alien species, in particular:
Global Invasive Species Database (GISD) species accounts
Under the guidance of the Programme Officers, and the ISSG, the PSA will:
- Research and write species accounts for the Global Invasive Species Database, including updating old GISD species accounts.
- Support BAKT and ISSG in mobilising information for other IUCN led datasets on invasive alien species as needed, for example the Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species (GRIIS).
- Input and maintain a record of all species accounts in GISD and species entries in GRIIS, with details on the existence of EICAT assessments for those
Application of IUCN Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT)
The PSA will complete the official EICAT training and then, under the guidance of the BAKT Programme Officers, will:
- Draft EICAT Assessments for priority species, or as needed under different projects.
- Support the consistency checks/review of EICAT assessments.
- Support the organisation and running of EICAT training and assessment workshops.
- Assist the IUCN EICAT Unit in activities related to the implementation of EICAT, e.g. support the running of the EICAT Unit workflow and attend EICAT Authority meetings.
IUCN contracts on the European Union Regulation on Invasive Alien Species
Under the guidance of the Programme Officers, the PSA will provide technical and administrative support to these contracts, including:
- Provide support in the production of technical reports and guidance documents, including undertaking basic research and data collation, and writing and reviewing aspects of technical reports.
- Support the organisation and facilitation of online and in-person meetings and workshops.
- Assist, as required, with additional technical and administrative support work undertaken under these contracts.
Other activities
Under the guidance of the Programme Officers, other responsibilities will include:
- Support engagement activities between BAKT and the ISSG, e.g. support organising and running of regular meetings between the two teams and be the BAKT focal point for GISD/GRIIS updates.
- Provide technical and administrative support to all other aspects of the IUCN Biodiversity Assessment and Knowledge team's work on invasive alien species, in general.
- Perform updates to IUCN’s IAS and EICAT Conservation Tool webpage.
- Attend and participate in international meetings, as required, reporting back on these meetings.
- Support, as required, any other technical work is undertaken by the team.
In addition, the position will need to be available to undertake travel worldwide when required and safe to do so.
REQUIREMENTS
- A degree in Conservation Biology, or a closely related field.
- Relevant professional experience in the biodiversity/nature conservation sector.
- Proven experience of o undertaking research into nature conservation related issues, managing and analysing datasets and writing technical and scientific reports or other outputs
- Experience of working to deadlines, ideally within a project delivery environment.
- Proven experience of supporting the organising and running of online and/or in-person meetings and workshops would be beneficial.
- Good knowledge of biodiversity/nature conservation issues.
- Knowledge of invasive alien species and their impacts to biodiversity.
- Knowledge of the EU Invasive Alien Species Regulation 1143/2014 would be beneficial.
- Knowledge of IUCN EICAT would be beneficial.
- Strong data management and communication skills.
- Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Fluency in written and spoken English essential, with excellent editing and writing skills in English.
- High proficiency in use of computer software, particularly MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint and Microsoft Teams
- Applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK
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: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/