Central Asia Regional Coordinator

Vacancy #: 7060 Unit: ECARO - Conservation Action Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Location: Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Belgrade, Serbia Reporting to: Regional Director – IUCN Eastern Europe and Central Asia Work percentage: 100% Grade: SP Expected start date: 03 February 2025 Type of contract: Fixed-term (43 months with possibility of renewal) Closing date: 24 November 2024 BACKGROUND The IUCN Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECARO) promotes IUCN’s mission and implements its Programme in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. With a long-term goal of conserving biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, IUCN has developed a credible partnership network and project portfolio in Central Asia. In light of an expanding project portfolio, enhanced membership, and growing recognition in the region, IUCN is establishing an operational office in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

This office will strengthen IUCN’s presence in Central Asia and perform three key functions:
1. Represent IUCN with national authorities in Uzbekistan and key partners in Central Asia;
2. Develop and implement a portfolio of projects focused on Central Asia, addressing regional priorities;
3. Enhance membership relations by engaging current members and fostering new partnerships.

The Central Asia Regional Coordinator will play a crucial role in establishing this office, coordinating the activities in Central Asia, and overseeing programme development, knowledge management, and project implementation. JOB DESCRIPTION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership, Programme Development, and Coordination
- Provide strategic oversight for the establishment of the Central Asia Office and the implementation of activities, ensuring alignment with the IUCN Nature 2030 Programme and overall regional priorities;
- Lead the development of multi-year strategic priorities and define core focus areas for IUCN’s work in Central Asia;
- Support cross-programmatic collaboration within ECARO, particularly in relation to Central Asia, ensuring alignment with the Conservation Action Programme, Nature-based Solutions Programme, and Governance and Policy Programme;
- Foster networks and build strategic partnerships across Central Asia, integrating efforts with regional and global teams to enhance alignment and coherence in IUCN's work;
- Oversee the coordination of annual planning, budgeting, and reporting in line with organizational guidelines;
- Ensure the programme’s financial sustainability through resource mobilization and the development of high-quality proposals aligned with IUCN standards.

External Representation and Stakeholder Engagement
- Represent IUCN in Central Asia with national governments, regional and international partners, donors, and other stakeholders;
- Build and maintain strategic partnerships with key international, regional and national organisations;
- Facilitate donor meetings, roundtable discussions, and other engagements necessary to strengthen IUCN’s position in the region.
- Promote IUCN’s identity and capacity, ensuring that IUCN remains relevant to national and regional conservation priorities;
- Foster collaboration with IUCN Members, Commissions, and Secretariat teams to enhance the membership base and ensure strategic engagement with members in Central Asia;
- Ensure high visibility of IUCN’s programmatic vision and activities in regional and national media outlets.

Office Establishment, Administrative Oversight, and Compliance
- Lead the establishment of the IUCN Central Asia Office in Tashkent, including ensuring legal, logistical, and administrative compliance;
- Lead the operational transition of establishing the IUCN Central Asia Office in Tashkent with support from ECARO’s Finance, HR, and Programme Units;
- Ensure compliance with IUCN’s administrative, financial, and human resources policies and procedures in the Central Asia Office;
- Supervise and manage the office’s human and financial resources, ensuring an effective and well-coordinated team;
- Manage risk, safety, and security in line with IUCN’s institutional policies to safeguard staff and resources;
- Maintain open communication with all ECARO staff to ensure that the developments in the Central Asia office are clearly communicated, particularly concerning the interaction with other teams;
- Serve as the focal point for communicating any organizational changes related to the Central Asia Office to all ECARO staff, ensuring clarity and reducing confusion.

Programme and Project Management and Oversight
- Oversee the implementation of IUCN projects in Central Asia to ensure timely and high-quality delivery of results;
- Develop annual work plans, budgets, contracts, and progress reports, ensuring compliance with IUCN’s financial and procurement procedures;
- Provide technical guidance to ensure projects are designed, monitored, and evaluated in line with IUCN’s quality assurance standards.

SALARY
The gross annual salary for this position is in the range from 45.609 EUR to 55.146 EUR subject to deductions for social security contributions and health insurance, and before tax. REQUIREMENTS • Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in natural resource management, environmental policy, sustainable development, or a related field;

• At least 10 years of relevant work experience in programme management, preferably in an international organization or NGO, with a focus on conservation, biodiversity, or sustainable development;

• Proven experience in managing complex programmes and projects, particularly in Central Asia or similar contexts;

• Demonstrated experience in resource mobilization, strategic leadership, and donor engagement;

• Experience in leading and managing teams, including across different geographical locations;

• Experience in building and managing diverse partnership networks, including with international organisations, governments, and civil society.

• Leadership competencies: Ability to lead, motivate, and manage a team, and guide strategic programme development;

• Programme Management competencies: Strong skills in programme planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation;

• Representation, Outreach or Partner Relationships: Excellent communication and networking skills with the ability to build strong relationships with donors, partners, and government authorities;

• Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of environmental policy, natural resource management, and biodiversity conservation in the Central Asia region;

• Problem-Solving: Demonstrated ability to think strategically, solve problems, and make decisions in a complex and dynamic environment;

• Cultural Sensitivity: Understanding of the socio-political dynamics in Central Asia and the ability to work effectively with diverse cultures;

• Fluency in English (spoken and written) is required, knowledge of the Russian language and/or languages spoken in the region is an advantage. 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/

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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