Vacancy announcement -- Ramsar Convention Secretariat

Position Vacancy: Senior Regional Advisor for Asia/Pacific

Ramsar Convention Secretariat
Gland, Switzerland

DUTIES

The Senior Regional Advisor for Asia/Pacific is the lead officer in the Ramsar Convention Secretariat responsible for advising on and supporting the strategic development and effective implementation of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in the Asia and Pacific regions.

The main responsibility of the position is to provide expert and authoritative advice and assistance to Contracting Parties in the region on policy, technical, and scientific issues related to the implementation at the national and regional levels, in the context of global issues.

The Senior Regional Advisor must have a global and regional understanding of wetland-related issues and must develop, maintain and present a clear understanding of the Convention's operations and priorities and of wetland-related issues and priorities in his/her region.

As the official representative of the Secretary General in the Asia/Pacific region, the Senior Regional Advisor is responsible for maintaining a high and professional profile with governments in the region, partners, donors and other stakeholders.

The Senior Regional Advisor has line management responsibility for the Assistant Regional Advisor for Asia/Pacific and works closely with subregional initiatives in the region.

SELECTION CRITERIA

1. Postgraduate qualifications in an aspect of natural or social science related to wetland conservation and wise use.

2. A minimum of 12 years' professional experience in environmental conservation and sustainable use / sustainable development issues, preferably related to wetland ecosystems, of which five years should be international experience in the relevant region.

3. Demonstrated capacity for innovative and strategic thinking and ability to provide leadership in dealing with complex issues.

4. Demonstrated fundraising, budgeting and programme planning ability.

5. Demonstrated ability to integrate the perspectives of the biological and social sciences and a commitment to working in interdisciplinary teams.

6. Exposure to and knowledge of major wetland conservation issues, both policy-and field-related.

7. Familiarity with the work of the main regional and global institutions, including NGOs, dealing with environment and development issues.

8. Demonstrated spoken and written fluency in English.

9. Well-developed computer skills and ability and willingness to perform the duties of the position in a fairly independent manner, with limited assistance from support staff.

10. Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to understand and operate within multicultural environments, and with the range of cultures within the region.

11. Extensive work and living experience in the region.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

While the Convention on Wetlands is fully recognized by the international community as an intergovernmental agreement, its secretariat is under the special circumstance of being administered by The World Conservation Union (IUCN), and shares the premises provided to both IUCN and the Convention by the Government of Switzerland, located in Gland. However, the Ramsar Secretariat is under the authority of the Standing Committee of the Convention and ultimately of its Conference of the Parties.

Legally, Ramsar Secretariat staff are IUCN employees, and their contracts are governed by the IUCN Global Human Resources Policy, Guidelines and Procedures for Expatriates, Conditions of Service for Switzerland, and Swiss labor law. IUCN does not have the status of an intergovernmental organization under a host country agreement in Switzerland: consequently, IUCN must obtain a Swiss work permit for non-Swiss staff. IUCN and Ramsar staff do not have diplomatic immunity or international civil servant (UN) status.

The incumbent will be offered an initial three-year contract, subject to a three-month probation period.

The following additional benefits are provided: full accident insurance and a fixed contribution for health insurance (for the employee only, not his/her family); a salary entitlement in case of illness or accident; a family allowance if applicable. Expatriate entitlements include the possibility of an education allowance; a home leave travel allowance; and installation and repatriation costs. These entitlements are governed by the Guidelines and Procedures for Expatriates.

STARTING DATE: as soon as possible after 1 October 2007.

APPLICATIONS SHOULD INCLUDE:

a) An application letter in English of no more than two pages, briefly describing the suitability of the candidate for the post in relation to the criteria stated above.
b) A maximum one-page statement on the applicant's interpretation of the main challenges facing the Convention in the Asia/Pacific Region.
c) A curriculum vitae.
d) The names/contact details of three referees, including one recent employer.

E-mail applications are preferred. They should be sent only to the following address before 13 July 2007: jobapplications@iucn.org