Vacancy #: 7420 Unit: ESARO - South Africa Conservation Areas and Species Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Location: South Africa Country Office, Pretoria, South Africa Reporting to: Team Leader, SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas Facilities Work percentage: 100% Grade: P1 Expected start date: 01 December 2025 Type of contract: Fixed-term (13 months) Closing date: 15 October 2025 BACKGROUND THIS IS A LOCAL POSITION OPEN TO NATIONALS OF THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN COMMUNITY. THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE CAN BE BASED IN COUNTRIES IN SOUTHERN AFRICA WHERE IUCN HAS OFFICES.
BACKGROUND:
The IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) operates in twenty-four countries in the Horn of Africa, eastern Africa, southern Africa and the Western Indian Ocean. IUCN ESARO engages directly in biodiversity conservation in the region through its innovative Biodiversity Conservation programme). The biodiversity programme draws on evidence-based and best practice approaches to enhance the conservation and management of biodiversity and ecosystems in Eastern and Southern Africa. IUCN ESARO operates through a โOne Programmeโ approach working closely with IUCN members and Commissions to engage in a diverse set of biodiversity conservation actions ranging from the implementation of field projects to influencing policy and institutional frameworks at local, national, regional and global levels. The biodiversity programme focuses on enhancing management effectiveness, governance and equity of protected and conserved areas, strengthening multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder engagement to improve biodiversity conservation at landscape and seascape level, and supporting effective local community engagement in biodiversity conservation. The thematic programme also contributes to building the capacity of IUCN Members and partners, as well as the ESARO Secretariat to tackle new and emerging biodiversity conservation challenges in the region and to implement relevant international conventions, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Convention on Illegal Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. The programme also links closely to relevant work and regional priorities of Regional Economic Communities, the African Union and the United Nations Environment Assembly.
IUCN ESARO is the Project Executing Agency (PEA) for two Southern African Development Community (SADC) Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) grant-making facilities. IUCN ESARO seeks to recruit a highly qualified Programme Officer, ESMS โ SADC TFCA Financing Facilities to provide technical support to the two SADC TFCA Financing Facilities. A summary of the two SADC TFCA Financing Facilities is as follows:
SADC TFCA Financing Facility
The development and establishment of a regional and sustainable Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) financing mechanism is a major component of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) TFCA programme (2023-2033). The initial funding for the SADC TFCA Financing Facility has been provided by the German Government (BMZ through KfW), with additional commitments made by EU under the NaturAfrica programme. The intention is to leverage additional funds from various partners, to reach an operational funding volume of approximately EUR 100 million in the medium to long term.
The SADC TFCA Financing Facility (FF) is intended to foster closer collaboration between stakeholders supporting TFCAs and provide the basis for longer-term and more sustainable funding opportunities to develop all TFCAs. The SADC TFCA FF is fully aligned with the objectives of the SADC Programme for TFCAs (2023-2033) aiming at contributions to various objectives and goals in other relevant SADC strategies and protocols.
Through the TFCA Financing Facility, investments in tangible measures strengthening ecological, economic, cultural and institutional connectivity within SADC TFCAs will be leveraged in a flexible, demand-and performance driven way. The measures shall integrate three dimensions:
Improved habitat connectivity, especially for elephants and large carnivores as flagship species (โspeciesโ dimension),
Improved management effectiveness and governance of TFCAs and protected areas PAs (โhabitatโ dimension) and
Improved livelihoods for communities affected by human-wildlife co-habitation (โpeopleโ dimension)
Training Programmes for Wildlife Managers and Rangers in the SADC region;
The Training Programme for Wildlife Managers and Rangers (WMRT) is managed as a separate window under the SADC TFCA FF and funded by the German Government through the financial cooperation of BMZ and KfW. The WMRT aims to strengthen the capacities of personnel in SADC TFCAs to help implement existing SADC TFCA programmes. With a commitment of โฌ11 million made to this programme by the German Government, The SADC TFCAs WRM Training Programme will be a grant-making mechanism disbursing funds for skills-based training for Wildlife Managers and Rangers in SADC TFCAs.
JOB DESCRIPTION MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
Since its inception to date, the SADC TFCA FF has received and processed 161 Concept Notes under several Calls for Proposals. The Programme Officer, ESMS โ SADC TFCA Financing Facilities will support the ESMS Officer with implementation of the provisions of the TFCA FF ESMS Manual.docx for the SADC TFCA Financing Facility through the entire project cycle โ including screening proposed projects of potential environmental and social risks, developing mitigation measures and implementing and monitoring various mitigation plans by grant recipients.
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
The Programme Officer, ESMS โ SADC TFCA Financing Facilities will be responsible for the following duties:
Support periodic review of the SADC TFCA FF ESMS Manual and tools;
Support the design of Calls for Concept Notes, including development of application guidelines for each Call.
Compile relevant documentation required for review of Concept Notes and Project Proposals and support the process of Risk Screening of projects using Environmental and Social (E&S) Risk Screening Questionnaires.
Assist the ESMS Officer with recruitment and supervision of Thematic Risk Area (TRA) consultants/experts in undertaking independent environmental and social due diligence, risk assessments and development of safeguards tools for each project funded by the SADC TFCA FF.
Through Environmental and Social Commitment Plans (ESCPs), ensure contracting for grants provides sufficient obligations to grantees for implementing measures to mitigate against foreseen risks.
Ensure tracking of implementation of the Environmental and Social Commitment Plans for each contracted project under the SADC TFCA Financing Facilities.
Provide relevant input for appraising the capacity of grantees and beneficiary communities to responsibly/appropriately manage the identified E&S risks associated with project activities.
Participate in implementation of the fund-level ESMS Grievance Mechanism and, together with ESMS Officer, ensure that the Grievances are managed effectively and timeously in a transparent manner.
Organize and support ESMS capacity building webinars and in-person sessions for SADC TFCA FF grantees by developing training plans and coordinating the delivery of the training.
Participate in field/site missions to assess performance and progress in the implementation of safeguards instruments as per ESMS provisions (including but not limited to environmental and social management plans, Environmental and Social Code of Practice, Human Wildlife Conflicts Management Plans, Process Frameworks, stakeholder engagement plans).
Undertake ESMS Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting.
Participate in preparation of Reports on ESMS to Donor Agencies and any other ad hoc reports such as serious incident reports, investigation Reports, risk control actions/corrective action reports.
Other responsibilities:
Perform other duties as may be assigned from time to time. REQUIREMENTS โข Position requirements;
Education;
A University Degree in Environmental or Social Sciences, or equivalent.
Work Experience;
A minimum of 5 Years of relevant professional experience in conducting environmental and social impact assessments, undertaking environmental and social due diligence and preparing environmental and social safeguard instruments in Eastern and Southern Africa Region.
At least 3 years demonstrable experience and knowledge of application of International Environmental and Social Safeguard standards (WB, IFC, IUCN) including developing ESIA, ESMF, ESMP, Indigenous Peoples Plan, Process Framework, Stakeholder Engagement Plans etc;
Experience in implementing conservation related projects (wildlife, forestry, water, wildlife, green economy, etc) would be an added advantage
Practical work experience in analysing livelihood conditions of local communities, in engaging with indigenous peoples and local communities, marginalized, vulnerable or minority groups and in addressing gender/ Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH) risks
Experience in monitoring implementation of environmental and social management plans.
Demonstrated high level of professionalism and ability to work independently to deliver under tight deadlines.
Excellent interpersonal skills demonstrated ability to engage with stakeholders and local communities.
Experience in the SADC region is an added advantage.
Language Proficiency;
Fluency in English, both written and verbal
Portuguese and/or French or local languages spoken in SADC region are an advantage.
Core Competencies;
Transparency: Able to build trust and contribute to informed and responsible decision making by carrying out the work of IUCN in a transparent manner; provides clear guidance to ensure that objectives and desired measurable results are understood by members of the team.
Inclusiveness: Understands and accepts cultural diversity, and provides a tolerant, positive and supportive working environment that fosters respect for diversity, demonstrates ability to work in a multicultural, multiethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds.
Professionalism: Promote the organizationโs interests, objectives and values in a diligent and professional manner.
Accountability: Takes responsibility of individual and collective actions, promotes the IUCN One Programme approach.
Functional competencies;
Adheres to IUCN ESARO core values of Transparency, Inclusiveness, Professionalism and Accountability.
Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
Good communication skills and proven writing ability.
Highly motivated and results-oriented individual.
Demonstrated ability to work with limited supervision to prioritize tasking and manage workflow in a high-pressure environment.
Excellent time management and ability to adhere to deadlines
Excellent interpersonal skills and a strong team player with proven communication and diplomacy with the ability to work effectively with multicultural and multidisciplinary teams with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Committed to continuous learning and proactive and mature attitude towards self-development.
Willing to travel frequently within the region 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.
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.
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