Vacancy #: 7287 Unit: Sri Lanka Programme Coordination Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Location: Sri Lanka Country Office, Colombo, Sri Lanka Reporting to: Senior Programme Officer, Biodiversity Work percentage: 100% Grade: A3 Expected start date: 15 June 2025 Type of contract: Fixed-term (12 months) Closing date: 15 May 2025 BACKGROUND As a local recruitment, this position will be based in Colombo. Only Sri Lankan residents are eligible to apply.
The Project Associate - MTP will be responsible for coordinating and executing IUCN deliverables related to the Annual Work Plan of the MTP-GEF 6, and Landscape Conservation Designs (LCD) / integrated natural resource management (INRM) prepared by IUCN. The PA will work closely with government agencies, Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS), and other stakeholders to ensure the successful execution of the project.
The following responsibilities are expected from the PA to facilitate and support the Project Manager and Program Coordinator in delivering the project deliverables based on planned activities and indicative sub-activities of the project. JOB DESCRIPTION MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
The Project Associate will ensure excellence in technical delivery, accountability, and stakeholder engagement.
Key responsibilities include:
1. Assist in Training Programs:
โข Conduct training needs analysis (TNA) covering national and local requirements for the MTP project.
โข Update and improve the curriculum and training modules for Extension Officers of the Forest Department on Biodiversity Conservation and Wildlife Management.
โข Prepare \"Training of Trainers\" (ToT) program modules for various sectors, including tourism, forestry, and sustainable rural development.
โข Draft training modules and curriculum to build the capacity of relevant government agencies to identify and declare Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs).
2. Policy Development:
โข Draft directives for the forestry, wildlife, agriculture, fisheries, and tourism sectors on mainstreaming biodiversity and integrated natural resource management.
โข Draft policy recommendations related to international transboundary issues and climate change mitigation and adaptation.
3. Stakeholder Engagement:
โข Update stakeholder mapping and consultations across the forestry, agriculture, and tourism sectors, including government, private sector, and local actors.
4. Project Coordination:
โข Develop and draft subsidiary agreements on special working arrangements between government agencies.
โข Coordinate and gather information from relevant stakeholders to facilitate the declaration of wildlife corridors, sanctuaries, and Ramsar wetlands.
5. Research and Documentation:
โข Collect data and draft species recovery plans for globally significant species.
โข Gather data for infographics, video documentaries, and social media clips to promote the project.
6. Public Awareness:
โข Develop and draft publicity materials and mobile exhibition units for extended use beyond the project duration.
7. Any other matters as required and mutually agreed with the Programme Coordinator or the Country Representative.
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
1. Training Programs:
โข Training Needs Analysis (TNA) Reports: A detailed draft report identifying training needs at national and local levels.
โข Updated Curriculum and Training Modules: Improved draft training materials for Extension Officers.
โข Training of Trainers (ToT) Modules: Draft comprehensive training programs for tourism, forestry, and rural development.
โข OECM Training Modules: draft writeups to help government agencies identify and declare conservation areas.
2. Policy Development:
โข Sector Directives: draft guidelines for forestry, wildlife, agriculture, fisheries, and tourism to integrate biodiversity.
โข Policy Recommendations: Suggestions for policies addressing international issues and climate change.
3. Stakeholder Engagement:
โข Stakeholder Mapping: Update documentation of consultations with various sectors (forestry, agriculture, tourism).
4. Project Coordination:
โข Subsidiary Agreements: Draft agreements for collaboration between government agencies.
โข Protected Areas Information: Gather data to support the declaration of wildlife corridors, sanctuaries, and Ramsar wetlands.
5. Research and Documentation:
โข Species Recovery Plans: Draft plans for the recovery of significant species.
โข Promotional Materials Data: Collect data for f infographics, videos, and social media content.
6. Public Awareness:
โข Publicity Materials: Develop materials to raise awareness about the project.
โข Mobile Exhibition Units: Created portable displays for long-term use.
Please Note: The above TOR contains the main responsibilities and duties of this position. However, in an ever-evolving organisation such as IUCN staff members are expected to show flexibility in their approach to work and be willing to undertake other tasks that are reasonably allocated to them, but which are not part of their regular TOR. Where any task becomes a regular part of staff memberโs responsibilities, the TOR should be changed in consultation between the manager, the staff member and the HR Unit. Any one of the three may initiate the consultation.
SALARY:
The minimum gross annual salary for this position is LKR 2,544,000.00 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 Essential Qualifications:
Bachelorโs degree in Environmental Science, Biodiversity Conservation, Natural Resource Management, or a related field.
(A Masterโs degree would be an added advantage.)
Essential Experience Qualifications:
โข At least 5+ years of experience in biodiversity-related project implementation, training, stakeholder engagement, or policy development.
โข Experience in working with government agencies, NGOs, or international development organizations.
โข Proven ability to coordinate fieldwork, draft technical documents, and support awareness and outreach activities.
โข Experience in developing training modules, policy briefs, or species recovery/action plans.
โข Familiarity with landscape conservation, OECMs, and Integrated Natural Resource Management is desirable.
Competencies:
โข Technical Aptitude: A passion for technology, with the ability to adapt to and master new tools and concepts quickly.
โข Self-Motivation: Capable of learning new skills from scratch and delivering professional-quality work within a short time frame.
โข Team Collaboration: Strong team player with a collaborative mindset.
โข Accountability: Reliable and committed to delivering high-quality outcomes.
โข Achievement-Oriented: A high achiever with a results-driven attitude. 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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