Vacancy #: 7389 Unit: European Regional Office- Nature-Based Solutions Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Location: EU Representative Office, Brussels, Belgium Reporting to: Director โ European Regional Office Work percentage: 100% Grade: P1 Expected start date: 02 November 2025 Type of contract: Fixed-term (12 months) Closing date: 28 September 2025 BACKGROUND The International Union for Conservation of Nature โ IUCN and the EU Representative Office
IUCN is the worldโs oldest and largest global environmental network - a democratic membership union with more than 1,400 government and NGO member organizations, and almost 17,000 volunteer scientists in more than 160 countries. This diversity and vast expertise makes IUCN the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it.
The IUCN EU Representative Office in Brussels provides vital linkages for IUCN (its Members, National Committees, scientific Commissions and the global Secretariat) to key EU institutions, governments, NGOs, scientists, practitioners, the private sector (including land users and managers, financing institutions and businesses) and other stakeholders to accelerate the implementation of the European Green Deal, the EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy and related national and regional biodiversity plans; mainstream biodiversity within policy processes; and promote nature-based solutions to social, environmental and economic challenges. JOB DESCRIPTION Upscaling Nature Based Solutions
Europe faces enormous challenges, such as mitigating climate change, enhancing resilience to natural disasters, ensuring safe and nutritious food to more than 500 million people, safeguarding water and air quality, protecting biodiversity, strengthening the economy, and dealing with increasing urbanization and human health issues.
Using nature to respond to some of the most pressing challenges of our time can be cost-effective, help safeguard the environment and halt biodiversity loss, and provide numerous economic and social benefits. IUCN engages with policy makers, scientists, planners, practitioners, land owners, businesses, the finance sector and civil society to promote Nature-based Solutions to highlight success stories and best practices that will inspire action new partnerships to protect and restore ecosystems across Europe, and to mobilise investment in natural capital and mainstreaming the values of nature across sectors.
Through its programme on Nature-Based Solutions, the IUCN EU Representative Office provides valuable knowledge and capacity building for their development and upscaling, demonstrating the importance of restoring and conserving biodiversity, ecosystems and their services to address global challenges such as adaptation to climate change, natural hazards and disasters, health, water and food security, while creating regenerative business and development opportunities.
Under the supervision of the Director, the Programme Officer Nature Based Solutions will contribute to the implementation of ongoing projects as well as other activities to upscale Nature-based Solutions in Europe and perform the following tasks:
โข Support the delivery of several European projects on Nature-based Solutions, liaising with project partners and drawing on IUCNs knowledge network to provide inputs for achieving deliverables as required;
โข Support the development of new project ideas and fundraising efforts to help IUCN expand its NbS portfolio;
โข Maintain collaboration and develop new partnerships with IUCN Members, experts and organisations working on NbS in Europe;
โข Lead the development of communication and awareness material on Nature-based Solutions, such as web stories, presentations, brochures etc. and organize webinars and other outreach events;
โข Assist in the preparation and organisation of events and workshops and represent IUCN at external events;
โข Follow closely EU policy developments related to Nature-based Solutions;
โข Support the development of an evidence base of examples and best practices related to Nature based Solutions and their translation into compelling outreach material;
โข Assist with the technical reporting and administrative management of projects. REQUIREMENTS โข A Masters degree in environmental sciences, ecosystem management, sustainable development, or any other discipline that is relevant to nature conservation; knowledge of urban issues is an advantage;
โข At least 5 years of work experience in the field of nature conservation, sustainable development or a related area of work; experience with the private sector is an asset;
โข Experience in developing project proposals for the European Commission (Horizon 2020 is an advantage);
โข Experience with project management and good organisational, administrative, and reporting skills;
โข Knowledge of European nature legislation and familiarity with EU funding and policy processes;
โข Excellent level of written and spoken English (native speaker or equivalent), other languages an asset;
โข Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to create engaging communication strategies and products;
โข Experience organizing events and workshops;
โข Excellent organizational, administrative, and reporting skills;
โข A motivated self-starter with an ability to work independently, become familiar with new topics quickly, and meet tight deadlines without compromising the quality of outputs;
โข A team player with a strong interest in working in an international environment and willingness to travel. SALARY The minimum gross annual salary for this position is EUR 41'390. 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.
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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