Vacancy #: 7285 Unit: Sri Lanka Programme Coordination Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Location: Sri Lanka Country Office, Colombo, Sri Lanka Reporting to: Programme Coordinator, IUCN Sri Lanka Work percentage: 100% Grade: P1 Expected start date: 01 June 2025 Type of contract: Fixed-term (12 months with possibility of renewal) Closing date: 09 May 2025 BACKGROUND As a local recruitment, this position will be based in Colombo. Only Sri Lankan residents are eligible to apply.
Sri Lanka Coral Reef Initiative (SLCRI) aims to identify the stable coral reefs and empower multiple stakeholders towards protecting those coral reefs from extinction by unlocking finances, innovative partnerships, use of technology, best practices to reduce pressure on healthy coral reef ecosystems that demonstrate resilience to climate change and through the transferring of knowledge.
The selected reef areas for SLCRI contain some species of corals that have shown resilience to temperature induced coral bleaching. All seascapes have some corals that have shown this resilience. However, there is no special site that show large patches of corals that are resilient to climate change within seascapes. Therefore, all seascapes chosen are good candidate sites for project interventions. The proposed six-year SLCRI would catalyse a transformational change in โbusiness-as-usual practicesโ to protect coral refugia by understanding and addressing the multiple drivers impacting the sustainability of corals.
The SLCRI will focus on three land/seascapes identified as priority seascapes with coral reef refugia, namely Bar Reef, Kayankerni and Pigeon Island. All three areas are affected by overfishing and the use of destructive fishing methods and, in addition to other factors. SLCRI reef-positive approach will engage, Government. system to create the enabling environment; businesses including SMEs to be ready to attract, absorb and operate private investments such as the GFCR Equity Fund; and coastal communities to join hands with SLCRI through coral friendly livelihood opportunities.
The main issues impacting the coral reefs to be addressed in the project are 1) Destructive fishing; 2) Overfishing; 3) Coastal Pollution; 4) Reef damage caused by economic activities such as construction and tourism; and 5) Poverty related pressures on natural capital connected with corals and 6) Weak knowledge and capacity of agencies and communities to connect health of ecosystems and socio-economic wellbeing. The proposed six-year initiative would setup the enabling environment during the first two years, mobilize and absorb funding to implement coral friendly actions in the subsequent six years.
The main impact of the SLCRI would be realized by a.) Catalyzing the financing to open up opportunities to create a coral positive enabling environment; b) Enhancing the knowledge and applications of ecosystems while linking the socio-economic co-benefits by conservation of marine ecosystems; and c) Formulating up-scalable financial and economic models that were not in the mainstream prior to SLCRI. As such, the SLCRI will leverage funds with a) Corporates whose businesses are directly and indirectly connected with coral ecosystems; b) Govt. poverty related programmes including โSamurdhiโ social assistance that promotes household level enterprises; and c) Funds mobilized from Sri Lanka expatriates and foundations based on products and tools developed. JOB DESCRIPTION MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
The B&FDO, on a day-to-day basis, will consult with SLCRI Senior Officer and relevant IUCN and partner staff on the operational aspects of the project. The B&FDO will lead the business and partnership development solution 1 (CORAL Conservation Trust Funds in each priority seascape), support the solution 2 (a central Coral Positive Business Support Facility, to treat all three seascapes) and support the solution 3 innovative financing from blue economy options of the project and work closely with all IUCN projects and staff to add value to project objectives. In particular, s/he will be instrumental in identification of business and enterprise opportunities, value chains, promote innovative investment options and broker partnerships between IUCN and development partners, regional development banks, as well as the private sector in raising finances to match GFCR contribution to the phase I of the project (USD 1.5 millions). In the process, the incumbent is expected to work with multiple agencies in Government, NGO, CBO and Private Sector.
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
โข Development of coral Positive business partnerships and SME development strategies for each priority seascape.
โข Carry out market and industry research to identify potential government and private sector service and business entities and build an effective pipeline for engagement and mobilization at national level as well as seascape level.
โข Provide technical input to Sarvodaya to conduct feasibility studies on coral friendly livelihoods and womenโs and youth involvement in coral reef related enterprises, to identify gaps and development potentials and propose recommendations.
โข Develop a mechanism to link micro-entrepreneurs with input suppliers and markets based on the above studies.
โข Design and conduct targeted, proactive outreach programme to attract private sector companies and partners to link community business enterprises.
โข Facilitate the organization of promotional events to build business partnerships for product development, value addition, and market access creation.
โข Facilitate the design training and communications materials for business development and capacity building activities.
โข Develop collaborations with the private sector to provide embedded technical services, particularly aimed at improving product quality and branding in coral-positive businesses.
โข Analyze and record best practices, portfolio analysis, industry trends, innovations and lessons learnt through business development and capacity building activities to contribute to the creation, sharing and dissemination of flagship knowledge products
โข Carry out other partnership and business development activities as required by project management.
โข Field implement at least two coral positive businesses at each seascape.
โข Develop a blended financing structure for each seascape in partnership with government agencies, banking & financing sector, private sector, international agencies, NGOs and local community for diverse investors to invest in each seascape for implementation.
โข Explore and propose feasibility of innovative financing mechanisms for raising finances for collaborative management of each seascape.
โข Contribute to developing financial management aspects of the proposed CORAAL Conservation Trust Fund.
SALARY:
The minimum gross annual salary for this position is LKR 3,600,000.00 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.
REQUIREMENTS โข REQUIREMENTS:
Competencies:
โข Outstanding analytical capability, ability to position IUCN strategically on financing nature.
โข Knowledge and competency on application of innovative financing mechanisms for conservation of nature.
โข Strong understanding of national and regional business development opportunities related to nature.
โข Proven oral and written communications skills and demonstrated presentation and facilitation skills
โข Strong teamwork
โข Superior networking capability, paired with strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills
Education:
โข A bachelorโs degree, preferably in the field of Finance, Economics, Development, Business Management, or related discipline with 10 years of working experience or
โข An Advanced Degree in business management, development studies, knowledge management, project management or related discipline with 5 years of working experience
Experience:
โข At least 5 years of experience in developing financing solutions for conservation, brokering partnerships and cooperation for development with various institutions: government, private sector, etc
โข Minimum of 5 years of working experience in the design and management of small business for livelihood enhancement projects
โข Understanding of biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods and associated issues
โข Previous working experience in international organizations would be an added advantage. Familiarity with IUCN policies and procedures and practice would be an asset
โข Very good inter-personal skills
Languages/Other:
โข Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English
โข Fluency in Sinhala and/or Tamil is an additional qualification
โข Computer literacy including Microsoft Office and use of multi-media 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/
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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.
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