Job opportunities with IUCN

Job opportunities with IUCN (27/08/04)

Good morning CEPA people:

Rather short notice, but here are two job opportunities in the communications field with IUCN in Costa Rica. Please direct all correspondence to mesoamerica@iucn.org and not to the Ramsar Secretariat.

Best wishes, Sandra Hails, Ramsar Secretariat

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COM+ COORDINATION team, San Jose, Costa Rica , Global Communications
Officer and Webmaster

1. Global Communications Officer

Background:

The COM+ Coordination Team, based, in San Jose, Costa Rica, at IUCN - The World Conservation Union's Regional headquarters for Mesoamerica, is responsible for coordinating the agreed communications activities of the Alliance. The team will be initially composed of a Webmaster and a Global Communications Officer, who work with the representatives of member organisations. The IUCN Head of Global Communications -with inputs from the Regional Director of IUCN Mesoamerica--will line-supervise the COM+ Coordination Team while operational priorities will be set by the COM+ Steering Committee.

General Description:

The Global Communications Officer plays a pivotal role within the COM+ Secretariat, working with every founding partner and reaching out to target audiences and other partners. The officer plays a key role in ensuring that the business model of COM+ remains agile, non-bureaucratic, action oriented and that COM+ operates under its defined principles. .

Under the supervision of the Head of Global Communications, the Communications officer is involved in the overall coordination and implementation of the COM+ activities as agreed upon by the partners. This person is also required to conceptualize and materialize strategies to advance communications for the Alliance, in collaboration with the
COM+ Steering Committee. The officer will coordinate the umbrella
activities that COM+ will implement as well as permanent actions in different communications business lines. She/He will liaise with the organizations designated as focal points for implementation by the steering committee.

In working with the members of the Alliance, he/she will prepare press material, respond to media enquiries, show strategic vision of what makes the news, and assist the Webmaster when and where appropriate, but especially during major events.

The global communications officer will play a dynamic role as part of a fund-raising team that the steering committee will create in order to diversify funding alternatives. The Communications officer will ensure the effective implementation of the business plan of the Alliance and report any potential implementation gaps to the supervisor and/or the Steering Committee in order to avoid any related risks.

The Global Communications Officer will liaise with COM Financial Council in order to make financial allocations in accordance to the guidelines established by the Council and will apply standard procurement rules established by the Council and the Steering Committee.

Specific Duties:

*Coordinate the implementation of the actions of COM+ as a communications platform, and event-related communications strategies. *Prepare written material (write, edit and/or proof-read) for specific audiences and mediums, such as the public, the media, governments and donors, via print and electronic outlets. *Manage a smooth delivery of the business plan of COM+
*Organise the COM+ presence at selected global and regional meetings.
*Develop close contacts and work relations with popular media channels in order to broaden COM+ reach.
*Respond to public and press queries.
*Develop creative ways for fund raising and follow up plans for COM+ financial sustainability
*Liaise with the Financial Council and the Manager of the Multi-Donor Trust Fund at the World Bank.

Knowledge & Skills

COM+ is looking for a well rounded, experienced and flexible journalist/
communicator, with experience in dealing with multi-stakeholder groups and with a keen interest in sustainable development & environmental issues. The Communications Officer is an efficient team player, well articulated, performs well under stressful circumstances, and is able to produce high-quality outputs within stringent deadlines.

The ideal candidate is an excellent organizer and understands the importance of strategic and effective communications in building action oriented coalitions. This person is proactive, able to take direction and be a team player as needed, yet work independently and use initiative.

This position requires a university degree in communications, journalism or an environment-related subject-matter, with at least 5 years experience in working on international issues
Applicant must be computer literate and have a good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications such as Word,

PowerPoint and Outlook.

Excellent written and oral professional English is a must with good knowledge of French and Spanish an asset.
Salary Range: USD 30,000- 32.500 USD (Annual Salary)

2. Webmaster
Initial duration of assignment is 18 months with extension according to performance.

Background:

General Description:

The Webmaster is responsible for maintaining an exciting worldwide presence for COM+ on the Internet. The appointee will act as the focal point for all web-related matters and work in coordination and under the guidance of the Global Communications Officer and the Web Manager of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (during a transition phase of approximately 6-8 months).

Specific Duties:

*Develop the COM+ web presence in coordination with member organizations.
*Assess needs in web-based communications, and develop actions to address these.
*Execute projects to provide support for COM+ activities, including building interactive features and multimedia tools for major events. *Ensure the smooth day to day running of the COM+ website.
*Measure page statistics and track website use.
*Keep abreast of web-related technological developments.
*Respond to queries from the public.
*Support the Communications Officer in major activities and day-to-day operations.

Knowledge & Skills

The ideal candidate has some journalistic background and is technology savvy and understands the importance of an effective website. He/she can develop online applications effectively in HTML, CSS, SQL, CFM, PHP, ASP.NET, ActionScript and other needed languages, can build database-driven sites, and has excellent graphical taste, with the capability to design for the web and the eye to approve designs that match the corporate image. Sound knowledge of Macromedia Dreamweaver, Flash and Fireworks is a must.
This person is able to take direction and be a team player as needed, yet work independently and use initiative. As the keeper of the site this person is trustworthy and meticulous.

This position requires a university degree in computer science with at least 3 years experience in website development. Excellent command of written English is a must Being a good communicator and speaking English, and speaking/writing French and/or Spanish would be an advantage.

Salary Range: USD 17,000- 19.500 USD (Annual Salary)
Initial duration of assignment is 18 months with extension according to performance

Applications (including current CV) for either of the above positions should be submitted by email to mesoamerica@iucn.org. Deadline 10 September 2004.

For further information about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Secretariat, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail

). Posted 27 August 2004, Sandra Hails and Dwight Peck, Ramsar.