Vacancy #: 7069
Unit: Food and Agricultural Systems
Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Location: Headquarters, Gland, Switzerland
Reporting to: Senior Programme Coordinator, Agriculture Supply Chains (Multinational Companies and Farmer Producer Organisations)
Work percentage: 100%
Grade: YP
Expected start date: 01 January 2025
Type of contract: Max-term (24 months with possibility of renewal)
Closing date: 04 December 2024

BACKGROUND The Agriculture programme of work is centered around: sectoral engagement and technical support with regulatory bodies and public financing mechanisms; engagement and action with farmer organisations and Indigenous Peoples groups; transforming multinational supply chains at company level and in productive landscapes; and, developing tools and knowledge products for effective deployment in the agricultural sector, for which the Head will ensure is supported by a sustainable project portfolio.

The Agriculture Team works in close collaboration with IUCN’s Enterprise and Investment Team and Business Engagement Unit, and across IUCN’s programmatic centres (such as the multi-lateral finance team), regional offices, members and commissions to ensure an aligned thematic programme of activities.

The Food and Agricultural Systems Team (FAST) in the IUCN Centre for Societal Transformation is based at the IUCN Headquarters and its work is structured around three streams of work: Policy, Knowledge & Capacity, and Landscape & Value Chain Action.

FAST works in close collaboration with other teams in the Center for Societal Transformation (and in particular the Climate Change and Human Rights teams) and across IUCN’s programmatic centres (such as the Business & Nature team or the multi-lateral finance team), regional offices, members and commissions to ensure an aligned thematic programme of activities.

The Landscape & Value Chain Action stream of FAST’s portfolio focuses on Indigenous People’s engagement, private sector engagement, including producers and their organisations, agri-businesses corporates and Financial Institutions to motivate and implement place-based forest & landscape restoration, sustainable land management and regenerative agriculture around the world.

FAST engages with multinational companies to help them frame their nature-positive actions along their supply chains. FAST is developing and piloting tools to assess and implement restoration interventions in international agribusiness supply chains while building a bigger momentum for private investment in restoration and sustainable land management. In working alongside multinational companies, there is a strong focus on forest and farm producers’ organisations and developing innovative financing mechanisms for those organisations and SMEs, such as for restorative action and agroecological practices. Forest and farm producer organisations are small business entities with a wide and varied membership, making them excellent vectors of change for a nature-positive production system.

The Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) is a programme launched in 2012 dedicated to empowering forest and farm producer organizations (FFPOs), including women, youth and indigenous peoples, as primary change agents for climate resilient landscapes and improved livelihoods. The FFF operates through a unique partnership structure, bringing together the expertise of four key organizations:

• FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations): Leads the management and in-country operations of the FFF, ensuring its effective implementation on the ground
• IIED (International Institute for Environment and Development): Focuses on knowledge generation, monitoring, and learning activities. They play a crucial role in capturing and disseminating best practices within the FFF
• Agricord: Provides vital organizational support to FFPOs, helping them improve their structures and operational efficiency
• IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature): Leverages its global network to engage regional and global FFPOs and facilitate their active participation and consultation in international policy fora such as the UNFCCC and CBD COPs. IUCN promotes the participation of FFPOs in broader dialogues on sustainable landscapes and climate change and strengthens the communications and advocacy capacities of FFPOs.

The FFF equips FFPOs with the tools and resources they need to secure their rights and manage their resources sustainably, develop strong business models and improve market access for their products, contribute to climate-resilient landscapes and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. These terms of reference aim to secure the services of a Young Professional who will support the ongoing implementation of the FFF program. JOB DESCRIPTION The primary purpose of the assignment is to work closely with regional and global Forest and Farm Producer Organizations (FFPOs), providing both technical and administrative support, and contributing to the overall implementation of the project. However, the YP will also support the team with private sector engagement.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Forest and Farm Facility Management Inputs

• Attend meetings with other team members involved in the FFF project, taking minutes, as needed
• Preparation of IUCN inputs for Steering Committee, Donor Support Group, and Annual Retreat meetings
• Provide IUCN inputs for all FFF reports (e.g. progress, annual and final) and for new concept development, in close collaboration with the Senior Programme Coordinator
• Coordinate IUCN feedback from regional and global organizations on FFF impact evaluation
• Support the organization of online events of the FFF including global convening meetings, bringing together FFF stakeholders virtually
• Explore membership of FOs to IUCN and link with membership focal points

Technical support to regional and global forest and farm producer organizations (FFPOs)

• Monitor the end dates of Letters of Agreement (LoAs) and initiate the reporting processes by requesting FFPOs’ reports at required times.
• Review interim and final technical and financial reports, ensuring they meet FAO requirements, are in the correct format, and include necessary FAO forms. Provide feedback and request adjustments as needed.
• Support amendments to existing LoAs and the creation of new LoAs as required.
• Directly coordinate with FFPOs on the drafting of activities for new LoAs.
• Directly coordinate with FFPOs to address questions regarding reporting and LoAs, and follow up on deadlines.
• Act as a liaison between FFPOs and other projects within the Food and Agricultural team’s portfolio, and other relevant IUCN projects.

Note: Languages of the LOAs will be in English French and Spanish.

Communications

• Liaise with farmers’ unions and Indigenous Peoples Organizations to support communications and advocacy campaigns around key international events (e.g. COPs, World Conservation Congress, etc.)
• Support and facilitate farmers and indigenous peoples representatives presence at key policy dialogues (development of a calendar and data repository of potential speakers, organize logistics of attendance between organizers and participants, summary and analysis of discussions during the events)
• Provide technical and logistical support (such as assistance with the development of session concept notes and liaising on logistical aspects) to side events being organized at key international events. Support will not require travel to these locations.
• Develop web stories, social media posts and other communication material with the support of the line manager and communication officer.

Private Sector Engagement

• Support the Senior Programme Coordinator in building partnerships with the private sector. This could include doing research, organizing and following-up on meetings, preparing and disseminating minutes, preparing inputs to concepts, due-diligence processes, partnership agreements, etc.

REQUIREMENTS

A YP, also called Young Professional, is in place to provide a first professional experience in an international setting for young professionals (up to 35 years old) holding a Bachelor’s Degree. IUCN will ask for a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 3 years of experience for this type of contract. IUCN is committed to providing all YPs with a quality experience that involves meaningful work and activities with the opportunity to learn and gain practical work experience in an international setting. YPs will be provided with clearly defined Terms of Reference (TORs). They will be adequately supervised by a suitable identified Senior Unit/Programme/Group staff member, who will monitor their progress, ensure that they contribute effectively and resolve any concerns they may have throughout their assignment with IUCN.

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent Degree in Agriculture, Communications, Economics, Environment or any other relevant field.
Between 6 months and 3 years of relevant experience after obtaining their Bachelor’s Degree
Be under 35 years of age at the moment they apply for the Young Professional position;
Be fluent in one of the three IUCN languages (English, Spanish and French).
SALARY

The gross annual salary for this position is CHF 60'000, subject to deductions for social security contributions and second-pillar pension, and before tax. 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.

APPLICATIONS

Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement

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/

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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