Vacancy #: 7328 Unit: Business and Nature Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Location: Headquarters, Gland, Switzerland The position can be based in any IUCN location with maximum 3 hours time difference with Switzerland (Central European Time).
Local salary scale will apply. Reporting to: Head, Business and Nature Work percentage: 100% Grade: SP Expected start date: 01 September 2025 Type of contract: Max-term (24 months with possibility of renewal) Closing date: 17 July 2025 BACKGROUND The Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool is the product of the IBAT Alliance - a ground-breaking collaboration between four major conservation organisations; the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), BirdLife International, Conservation International and the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC). The tool integrates data from core global biodiversity datasets โ the World Database on Protected Areas, World Database of Key Biodiversity Areas and the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species โ into a single portal to support decision makers from industry, finance and governments. Launched over 16 years ago, it is an innovative solution for providing biodiversity information to decision makers while channelling resources into the underlying datasets.
The IBAT Secretariat is drawn from across the IBAT Alliance partner organisations. We are a growing multidisciplinary team who work on all aspects of IBAT, ranging from technical development, user support, business development, marketing and comms, and finance. Headquartered in the David Attenborough Building in central Cambridge, we support IBATโs 30,000+ users around the world, as they use IBAT to integrate biodiversity into their decision making.
While this role is hosted by IUCN and will sit within IUCNโs Business and Nature Global Team, you will work directly with the IBAT secretariat, and build relationships across the IBAT Alliance partners to help deliver IBAT. JOB DESCRIPTION OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY
The Biodiversity and Business Lead is the primary technical expert within IBAT, responsible for building and managing the IBAT Product Team and for the development of relevant tools, methodologies and reports to drive positive business action on nature. Drawn from on-the-ground experience, the individual understands how business use biodiversity data to drive decisions at both site and corporate level. They will have expertise on the fast-evolving topic of state of nature metrics and associated tools and frameworks, with a deep understanding of how companies are and should be reporting their impacts and dependencies on nature. This is a key strategic role within IBAT, and will be responsible for driving IBATโs evolution into an analytical platform. Building out and leading the IBAT Product team and using their knowledge and insights of business practises, including voluntary and mandatory disclosure requirements, they will guide the development of in-demand tools and analysis that can increase the uptake and reach of IBAT. The post holder will represent IBAT on the global stage and will be a champion for the IBAT partners and the data and associated tools offered through IBAT. This post will also serve as the Head of IBAT when required, with responsibility for a multi-million annual budget and team of 15 staff.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Biodiversity related tools, methodologies, and frameworks
โข Recruit and lead the IBAT Product team, responsible for designing and developing IBAT products (including new IBAT functionality, user guidance documentation or practical case studies) to increase the uptake and impact of IBAT
โข Develop and review robust methodologies to service growing corporate needs for nature related metrics and tools
โข Support IBATโs users, including corporates and financial institutions, in the application of biodiversity data to understand biodiversity related risks, opportunities, impacts and dependencies, and guide action towards credible contributions to achieving the Global Biodiversity Framework and reversing nature loss by 2030
โข Lead IBATโs positioning within the biodiversity disclosure landscape, including engaging with TNFD, CSRD, NPI (Nature Positive Initiative), SBTN and other related frameworks
โข Work closely with the IBAT technical team to develop, test and refine products
Cross cutting stakeholder engagement
โข Engage across all functions of the IBAT Secretariat โ connect across business development, marketing, product and technical teams to ensure alignment of IBATโs strategic direction and product evolution
โข Represent and promote IBAT on webinars and at events, including high level dialogues such as Conference of the Parties (COP)
โข Engage with key collaborators to strengthen IBATโs strategic partnerships, particularly relating to the use of biodiversity data
โข Represent IBAT on technical working groups, particularly relating to the evolution of frameworks and standards
โข Lead the IBAT Secretariat (~15 staff spread across multiple teams and hosted across multiple institutions) when the Head of IBAT is not in post.
Capacity building, knowledge generation and communication
โข Build the capacity of the IBAT team, particularly junior professionals, on business and biodiversity topics
โข Develop and review content on biodiversity and business topics for a range of uses, including thought leadership pieces, blogs and newsletters
โข Develop industry guidance, briefing notes and supporting materials on the application of biodiversity data for positive nature outcomes through business REQUIREMENTS โข Masterโs degree in Biodiversity, Biology, Ecology, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Policy, Sustainability Management, or another relevant field required. Strong grounding in biodiversity, conservation, sustainable development and social science concepts and theory, beyond immediate field of expertise.
โข Minimum 8-10 years of professional experience, preferably working for industry or consulting in a biodiversity related role focusing on analytics and risk screening
โข Technical understanding of the evolving biodiversity disclosure landscape, including TNFD, CSRD, ESRS, SBTN, GRI and EUDR
โข Robust understanding of key biodiversity datasets, ideally the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, World Database on Protected Areas and World Database of Key Biodiversity Areas
โข Experience representing organisations at high level events
โข Experience in planning and developing messaging in terms of effective knowledge uptake, understands and can adapt to target audience.
โข Ability to take initiative, exercise good judgment, think laterally and resolve complex issues in a dynamic and changing environment.
โข Skilfully prioritizes, manages, and balances operational task flows and can identify, anticipate and address critical operational dependencies. Successfully manages competing demands and deadlines.
โข Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with meticulous attention to detail.
โข Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Proficiency in written and spoken French and/or Spanish is desirable. 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 worldโs 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 peopleโs well-being.
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