The Communications Officer will support the work of the Species Conservation Action Team (SCA), within IUCN Centre for Conservation Action.
The Species Conservation Action Team delivers science-based conservation action on the ground that saves species from extinction through its two main initiatives: Save Our Species (SOS) and the Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Programme (ITHCP). We provide grants for conservation projects targeting globally threatened species. By strategically focusing on species conservation priorities and by providing rapid action funding that can be mobilized quickly during crises, the Team provides critically-needed resources where and when they matter most.
We focus our efforts where they will have the biggest impact by funding frontline conservation organisations across the world who have unique knowledge of their region and the local biodiversity. IUCN Save Our Species is IUCN’s response to the challenges identified by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ mobilising IUCN’s unique knowledge and expertise of the IUCN Commissions
Working under the supervision of the Manager, Partnership Development for Species Conservation Action, the Communications Officer will contribute to and lead implementation of IUCN’s Species Conservation Action Team (SCA) communications strategy. They will also devise and implement a range of supporting communications strategies and activities, according to the needs of projects and SCA conservation priorities. They will also collaborate with global, regional and Conservation Centre for Action communication leads, contributing to the implementation of the IUCN Programme.
The Communications Officer is expected to work independently on a variety of activities with minimum supervision and coordinate effectively with programme leads across different projects, teams and IUCN offices to translate communication strategies into concrete actions and deliverables and drive their implementation.
Communications functions and responsibilities include:
Develop and implement communication strategies and workplans for the Species Conservation Action Team and its projects.
Provide brand and communications quality control, ensuring adherence to IUCN and Team’s communication guidelines and protocols.
Produce high quality communications products in a range of formats including website pages and stories, publications, brochures, video, press releases and social media content.
Manage and implement the Species Conservation Action Team’s website and social media strategies.
Manage and oversee IUCN grantees’ communications and visibility deliverables as part of their IUCN grants.
Oversee and manage production processes, managing external consultants where needed.
Provide communications support for events, including managing virtual platforms, producing audio-visual materials as needed and developing content for communications channels and platforms.
Coordinate with IUCN global, regional and Conservation Centre for Action communication leads; as well as key partner and donor communications units to co-create and deliver strategic communications.
More specifically, the Communications Officer will:
Support updating and implementation of the SCA Team communications strategy; and supporting project communications strategies, including identifying and capitalizing on key events, opportunities for strategic communications; and ensuring internal visibility and coordination.
Lead on drafting and production of high-quality communications products: impact reports, news stories and brochures to ensure content is strategically messaged, targeted at audiences and backed by robust communications plans to launch, in coordination with key stakeholders.
Manage and maintain IUCN’s Save Our Species website, tracking and reporting on its performance; and contribute content on species to the IUCN global website. Support on strategy and content for project specific websites as needed. Manage relationship with development agency.
Develop and implement SCA’s social media strategy, designing and developing engaging content for platforms, liaising with IUCN, regional offices and strategic partners to implement social media campaigns. Track performance to inform strategy.
Develop and manage the communications planning and organization tools of the SCA Team and specific projects: communication guidelines for projects, planning calendar, photo library, brand guidelines.
Plan, develop and produce SCA newsletter issues, and track KPIs to manage performance.
Lead and support the implementation and smooth running of events, online and in person.
Manage the communications deliverables of SCA’s grantmaking process: developing tailored communication guidelines for grantees, delivering onboarding sessions and overseeing implementation of grantees’ communications deliverables. Collaborate with IUCN’s Conservation Centre for Action communication leads to strengthen grant-making communications and knowledge management efforts across the Centre.
Support the SCA team to comply with relevant project donor communications and branding requirements and priorities.
Manage the relationship with external consultants/communications service providers (e.g. videographers, website developers, writers).
Ensure good coordination for delivering communications products with internal and external stakeholders, including IUCN’s global Communications Unit, regional communicators, IUCN Centre for Conservation teams, communication partners, donors and beneficiaries of IUCN grants.
However, in an organization 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 job description. Where any task becomes a regular part of an employee's responsibilities, the job description will be changed in consultation with the employee, their line manager and the Human Resources Management Group.
Requirement:
Evidenced professional interest in the vision and mission of IUCN.
Master’s degree related to communications, journalism, environmental management, policy or social sciences.
At least five years of professional experience delivering communications related to nature conservation, sustainable development or related topics.
Familiarity with global environmental policies, frameworks and networks/actors.
Proven track record writing high quality communications products on environmental and conservation topics.
Experience delivering high quality audio-visual communications products and publications.
Expert writing and editing skills: skilled at writing on complex issues for a wide range of audiences, and for a range of formats e.g. web, impact report, social media.
Strong teamwork and coordination skills: experienced coordinating across cross-functional teams to produce communications products.
Strong proficiency with Wordpress, InDesign, Photoshop, video editing and MS Office.
Excellent organizational skills, with exceptional attention to detail.
Ability to deliver on time and to a high standard of quality.
Can-do, positive approach to learning new skills and collaborating with a diverse, passionate team.
Excellent written and spoken English required; knowledge of Spanish and French is an asset.
Ability to work in a multilingual, multicultural and multidisciplinary setting.
