The recently launched IUCN SOMACORE project emphasises IUCN's role on implementing the IUCN Green List programme to enhance the equitable governance and effective management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), tailored to the unique ecological and socio-economic contexts of the Coral Triangle region. Through capacity building, policy advocacy, and the PANORAMA Solutions, IUCN facilitates knowledge exchange, supports sustainable conservation practices, and promotes inclusive governance, aligning with the goals of the Regional Plan of Action 2.0 (RPOA 2.0) of the CTI-CFF.
In practice, the work involves liaison and participation with the PCHA Team on priority programme components, with IUCN thematic programmes, with IUCN regional offices undertaking relevant projects, and with the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas and relevant Commissions’ Specialist Groups and Task Forces.
The Programme Officer is responsible for the IUCN Asia Regional Office project coordination of the SOMACORE “Solutions for Marine and Coastal Resilience in the Coral Triangle”, implemented by IUCN.
The Programme Officer will be based in the IUCN Asia Regional Office (Bangkok, Thailand) and will regularly travel to the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI-CFF) region, supporting the IUCN Global Protected and Conserved Areas Programme and IUCN Asia Regional Office and coordinating activities and communications with the IUCN Oceania Regional Office Programme Officer.
The Programme Officer will play a key role as the IUCN-ARO focal point for the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat. Furthermore, she/he will actively contribute to the project implementation within the team and ensure the quality of the technical and financial deliverables.
Responsibilities:
Project implementation
• Support guidance on the Green List programme and its process in the CT6 countries in liaison with the ARO Programme Coordinator for Protected, Conserved and Heritage Areas (PCHA),ARO PCHA Senior Programme Officer, and the Oceania Regional Office (ORO) Programme
Coordinator for Protected and Conserved Areas;
• Coordinate with the project stakeholders, guide, and oversee the external consultants' work;
• Facilitate coordination between IUCN project teams and external partners involved in PCHA and Green List programme;
• Coordinate the production of technical and financial reports and oversee the quality of the deliverable, as set out in project documents or as required by donors, and for their upload into the project portal.
• Ensure compliance with donor requirements, procurement and contracting processes, including financial and narrative reporting, as well as adherence to IUCN project management standards, procedures and workflows in the IUCN project portal and the IUCN project open portal;
• Provide necessary support to the IUCN project teams in contract management with external consultants, service providers, and other stakeholders, ensuring deliverables are met.
Technical assistance :
• Support the liaison with the relevant Working Groups of CTI-CFF, particularly; MPAs, M&E, Seascape, GESI and Sustainable Finance;
• Support and provide technical guidance to CTI-CFF around the work on marine protected and conserved areas (MPCAs), including but not limited to:
- the implementation of CTMPAS priority activities
- the work on the Governance of marine PCAs, particularly on OECMs
- the CTI-CFF data management (CT Atlas) to explore synergies with the CBD-recognised World Database on Protected Areas and OECMs (WDPA and WD-OECM)
- the fundraising and proposals development between CTI-CFF and IUCN
• Support the deployment of the future Green List Dashboard and its features for the Coral Triangle context;
• Implement communication to increase the visibility of the IUCN SOMACORE project;
• Contribute towards identifying opportunities and developing project proposals, budgets, and work plans to secure funding for new and ongoing PCHA and Green List programme in the Coral Triangle context;
• Assist in the development of tools, guidelines, and best practices for MPCA management tailored to the Coral Triangle context.
• Support PCHA programmatic priorities and IUCN general tasks, as required.
Support, Reporting and Communication :
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders in the CT6 countries, including government agencies, NGOs, and local communities;
• Facilitate regular meetings and workshops with SOMACORE Implementing Partners to ensure alignment of project activities and objectives;
• Identify capacity gaps within the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat and member countries related to Marine Protected and Conserved Areas (MPCAs);
• Provide ongoing technical support and guidance to CTI-CFF staff and country focal points on MPCA-related issues, including the implementation of the IUCN Green List Standard;
• Support the development of national-level policies and action plans for MPCA in CT6 countries, in line with the Regional Plan of Action 2.0 (RPOA 2.0);
• Collect and analyse data on key performance indicators related to MPCA management and stakeholder engagement;
• Coordinate the preparation of regular progress reports for IUCN, CTI-CFF, and project donors, highlighting achievements, challenges, and lessons learned;
• Contribute to the preparation of case studies and success stories that demonstrate the impact of the SOMACORE project on improving MPCA management in the Coral Triangle region, aligned with PANORAMA methodology and PCA StoryMaps.
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Conservation, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related field.
- Postgraduate qualifications are an advantage.
Work Experience:
- Minimum of 2 years of experience in a similar role, preferably within the conservation, biodiversity management, or natural resource management sectors.
- Experience in the Asia-Pacific region or developing countries is desirable.
- Any previous experience working with local and Indigenous communities and management of Protected or Conserved Areas will be an advantage.
Skills:
- Strong organizational, administrative, and project management skills.
- Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal).
- Proficiency in data management and reporting tools.
- Knowledge of conservation tools such as METT and monitoring systems would be beneficial.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data analysis software.
- Fluency in English is essential. Knowledge of Bahasa Indonesia and other Southeast Asian or Pacific languages would be an advantage.
