Vacancy announcement -- Wetlands International

Site Network Technical Officer

Job location: Wageningen, The Netherlands
Wetlands International Headquarters are looking for a Site Network Technical Officer.
Required language skills: good command of English. Arabic, French or Russian is an advantage.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Reporting to: Programme Head Biodiversity Conservation
Full-time position, 36 hours per week
Based in: Wageningen office, The Netherlands
Grade: BBRA scale 10 step 0 - 5 (€ 2,160.52 - € 2,925.31 for full time employment for full time 36 hours employment)

BACKGROUND

"Wetlands International works globally, regionally and nationally to achieve the conservation and wise use of wetlands, as a contribution to sustainable development".

We are an independent, not-for-profit, global organisation supported by Government membership from around the world and work through 15 country offices and additional project offices - in Central and Eastern Europe, Africa, South, East and North Asia, Oceania, and South America, with a head office in Wageningen, the Netherlands. Our work is supported by extensive Specialist Group networks and tens of thousands of volunteers.

The goal of the Biodiversity and Ecological Networks programme is that improved conservation status of wetland biodiversity is achieved through large-scale, transboundary initiatives for wetland-dependent species and critical wetland habitats.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

INSIDE Wetlands International:
Programme Head Biodiversity Conservation, Senior Biodiversity Officer, Waterbird Conservation Officer, the Waterbird Database Manager, and Waterbird Technical Assistant and any other assigned assistants.

The post holder will be member of the international biodiversity team and may need to work with any other member of this team or associated experts or consultants.

The post holder will work closely with the Wetlands International administrative officer responsible for the GEF Flyways project financial administration (Wetlands International part of the project).

The post holder will work closely with the Wetlands International Communication Manager and communication staff.

OUTSIDE Wetlands International:
The post holder will work with the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) of the UNOPS Project Coordination Unit (PCU), based in Wageningen, who will be responsible for the overall management of the GEF Flyways project and with the Junior Operations Manager (JOM) of the PCU.

The post holder will work with external partners in the GEF Flyways project, including BirdLife International, UNEP-WCMC, AEWA Secretariat (communication officer for the project) and demonstration project partners.

The post holder will work with the Project Manager and other staff at ECNC, who are responsible for overall management of the BioScore project.

In consultation with Head of Programme, Post holder will represent Wetlands International externally where and when required.

OVERALL PURPOSE OF JOB:

Within the objectives of the Biodiversity and Ecological Networks Programme, the post holder will

• work on the project implementation of the Wetlands International role in the GEF Flyways project;
• contribute to development and implementation of other projects within the biodiversity programme as required

MAIN DUTIES:

• Technically develop and implement the critical site network tool in the GEF Flyways project;
• Organising the data from IWC database to underpin the critical site network tool and work closely with UNEP-WCMC and BirdLife International staff involved in the GEF Flyways project;
• Develop and execute training activities to develop the capacity of the waterbird counter networks;
• Contribute to development of other projects within the biodiversity and ecological network programme as required: In consultation with Programme Head identify strategic opportunities and support development of project (proposals) within the Biodiversity and Ecological Networks Programme;
• Contribute to implementation of other projects within the biodiversity and ecological network programme as required

Technical/science responsibilities

• Technical input into GEF Flyways project and other projects as required

REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must have:

• A first Degree or equivalent University level qualification in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g. biology, geography, eco-hydrology, environmental science/management);
• Further educational qualifications, or equivalent experience. For example, a Masters degree in a relevant subject area would be an advantage. Alternatively, experience which is considered to enable equivalent performance would also be considered;
• A minimum of five years experience of working in any relevant subject area, including wetland and/or wetland species research, ecology;
• Extensive working experience in working with waterbirds and wetland conservation.
• Demonstrated personal effectiveness in terms of the content and timeliness of project tracking, management and reporting;
• Well-developed computer skills, particularly applied to databases, spreadsheets, GIS, word processors;
• Good written and verbal communications skills, and in particular excellent written English;
• A meticulous approach to data compilation, management and analysis, and attention to detail;
• Flexibility to adapt to new software, especially GIS and web-based data servers and data management methods which will be adopted during the tenure of this post, as well as flexibility to shift to related tasks which may not have been foreseen or planned.

Applications:

Those interested in applying should forward a detailed curriculum vitae and a motivation letter addressing the selection criteria (in Dutch or English) by December 8th 2006 to:

Szabolcs Nagy
Senior Biodiversity Officer
Wetlands International
PO Box 471
6700 AL Wageningen
The Netherlands
Tel. +31 317 486040
Fax +31 317 478850
Szabolcs.Nagy@Wetlands.org

Apply before: 08-12-2006
Interview: Week 2 2007
Job starts on: 01-02-2007