Director, IUCN Global Ocean and Regenerative Blue Economy Team
The Director, IUCN Global Ocean and Regenerative Blue Economy Team ("the Director") is responsible for the implementation of the IUCN Programme in respect of the Ocean and the achievement of relevant programmatic outputs through developing, planning, aligning and implementing the Ocean Team’s overall multi‑year operations and business plan.
A key element of this strategic leadership role is the establishment of integrated and effective annual workplans, budgets and workforce plans, and ensuring that all responsible staff clearly understand and are accountable for their roles in their delivery. The Director will pursue effective programme management and coordination, in collaboration with Centres and Teams as well as ocean focal points in regional offices and IUCN Commissions.
The Director is part of the IUCN Ocean senior coordination group involving the Director of the Centre for Conservation Action, the Director of the Centre for Policy and Law, the Director of IUCN Global Ocean Policy, and other senior managers as required. Differentiated management and operational roles allow the Director to focus on Ocean and Regenerative Blue Economy strategy, management and project portfolio priorities, while the Director for IUCN Global Ocean Policy focuses on ocean policy without direct implementation, management or operational responsibilities.
In addition, the Director’s work will be closely integrated with other programmes concerned with scaling up conservation on land and freshwater, and especially through effective area‑based conservation measures in the ocean, coastal zones and polar regions.
The Director is responsible for developing IUCN’s overall ocean conservation strategy in conjunction with other programme Centres and the IUCN Regions. They are principally responsible for building and maintaining a financially and technically sustainable project portfolio that secures the resources to maintain and develop the Ocean Team’s capacity.
The Director undertakes the efficient and effective management of projects and partnerships led by the Team in accordance with the relevant contracts and agreements, including technical and financial reporting.
The Director is fully responsible for the recruitment, organization, direct and indirect management and supervision of all staff in the Ocean Team to carry out their assigned duties, and to develop the team and the individual staff to reach their potential through mentorship and support, in accordance with IUCN’s conditions of service and all human resources policies and procedures.
The Director is accountable for adherence to project design, preparation and approval procedures and for updating and maintaining the project portal including indicators and results required for monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
The Director is also responsible for applying all of IUCN’s policies and guidelines on planning, budgeting and financial management that achieve full cost recovery, and generates surplus revenues that support the overall management of the Team and Centre, and allow for innovative investment in portfolio growth and income.
The vision for the Director Global Ocean and Regenerative Blue Economy Team is to contribute towards greater consolidation of the Centre for Conservation Action with a smaller number of sub‑units. The initial focus is on stabilizing and setting the foundation for an expanded Global Ocean Team, supporting greater integration with the Protected, Conserved and Heritage Area Teams, and pursuing joint and collaborative programmes of work, especially leading to the International Marine Protected Areas Congress in March 2027, and the IUCN Protected and Conserved Area Congress in September 2027. These initiatives will influence the global ocean conservation agenda in 2030 and beyond.
The Director will work closely and in a mutually supportive way with their Cluster Manager as their direct line manager, and in collaboration with the Director of CCA.
Specific Functions and Deliverables
* Consult regularly and deploy the advice of the Director Centre for Conservation Action, the Director Protected, Conserved and Heritage Areas and Centre Cluster Manager, and the Deputy Director General on IUCN programmatic strategy and directions to grow and sustain the activities of the Team and Centre Cluster for maximum leverage and to respond quickly and purposefully to emerging external change processes that may impact on area‑based conservation goals and priorities.
* Work proactively with the Director, Centre for Policy and Law and the Director, IUCN Ocean Policy to support effective messaging and engagement in relevant international meetings, including taking responsibility for the coordination of IUCN delegations in international meetings, as requested.
* Coordinate portfolio development and resource mobilisation to support the Global Ocean Team and manage the Ocean Team project portfolio to ensure a balanced and sustainable programme of work.
* Take full responsibility for the recruitment, supervision and development of all Global Ocean Team staff, all of whom report through their line managers to the Director Global Ocean Team.
* Ensure the effective organisation and deployment of staff across project teams to deliver the Global Ocean Team programme of work across the project portfolio.
* Undertake effective planning, budgeting and financial management for the Global Ocean Team in accordance with all relevant policies and procedures.
* Represent IUCN where required, including taking responsibility for the coordination of IUCN delegations in international meetings, including where assigned by the Director Centre for Policy and Law.
Key Responsibilities
* Strategic direction setting, operational planning and accountability.
* Lead the setting of coherent operational direction on IUCN Programme Outcomes and Outputs related to scaling up effective and equitable ocean conservation and directly supporting institutional process that account for associated delivery.
* Provide overall strategic and operational leadership for the closer coordination of the Global Ocean Team, including its integration as effective internal partners with other Teams and Regions.
* Provide leadership to assure coherent and integrated efforts on Ocean conservation across the Union, including partnership and alignment with IUCN Regions, Commissions and Members.
* Working directly with the Director Protected, Conserved and Heritage Areas and Cluster Manager, the Director Centre for Conservation Action and Deputy Director General, and in close collaboration with relevant regions and teams, establish a coherent and strategically impactful framework for the promotion and operationalisation of the “Regenerative Blue Economy” that reconciles the protection and restoration of critical coastal ecosystems as well as the open ocean with the development needs and opportunities of coastal economies, central and local governments and communities.
* Facilitate joint development of the programmes for the forthcoming International Marine Protected Area Congress (IMPAC6) in March 2027 giving effect to IUCN Resolutions adopted at the IUCN World Conservation Congress, and the preparation of the IUCN World Protected and Conserved Area Congress 2027 to take place in Panamá in September 2027, as pathways for IUCN to convene, design and implement the next phase of the Global Biodiversity Framework towards 2040 and support implementation of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement).
* With the regular advice and support of the Centre Director, develop and maintain a high‑quality, programmatically aligned portfolio of projects and income streams that is sufficient to deliver IUCN’s programme of work on Ocean conservation.
* With regular advice and support of the Director IUCN Global Ocean Policy, ensure that IUCN’s Global Ocean Team is aligned with and responsive to global ocean trends, and that projects include policy components to support the work of the Director IUCN Global Ocean Policy.
* Contribute towards fundraising, including through coordinating the preparation of project proposals and through assignment and management of project preparation teams.
* Maintain high quality relationships with project donors ensuring that donor expectations and requirements, including all aspects of reporting and communications, are fully met.
* Ensure the application of IUCN Project Guidelines and Standards (PGS) and Project Appraisal and Approval (PAAS) procedures.
* Establish a sound monitoring and evaluation framework for ocean conservation impact in IUCN, in line with IUCN M&E corporate requirements.
* In the implementation of the project portfolio, promote collaboration with other IUCN Centres and Regions, and with IUCN Commissions to source expert advice and technical expertise.
* Ensure effective integration of annual deliverables, budgets and work force planning for accountability across the teams.
* Undertake risk identification, mitigation and management of the Ocean Programme outputs.
* Directly manage the Ocean Team on a daily basis, recruiting, directing and deploying staff and consultants, mobilisation and allocation of financial resources to support staff.
* Build, manage and motivate the team’s staff, working to ensure a cohesive and collegial approach both in relation to the ocean conservation action work and in relation to the CCA as a whole.
* Ensure that all Ocean Team staff members have a clear understanding of the vision and values, as well as the operational plans, their own role in delivering these plans, how these relate to the role of other colleagues and the necessary accountability and risk management procedures.
* Identify, encourage and nurture talent while at the same time proactively addressing any behaviours that diminish the effectiveness and well‑being of the Ocean Team.
* Oversee the management of the finances (including budgeting, TMS allocation, etc) of the Ocean Team in association with the Global Programme Operations Unit (GPOU).
* Prepare annual work plans and budgets.
* Undertake procurement in accordance with IUCN Delegation of Authority.
* Ensure that all contracted projects are delivered according to established procedures and protocols and following IUCN guidelines (legal, procurement, financial etc).
* Proactively contribute to and participate in the Centre for Conservation Action with particular emphasis on contributing to and reinforcing an institution‑wide commitment to transparent and accountable management, innovative cooperation and team‑based delivery.
Competencies
* Enthusiastic commitment and inspirational leadership, characterized by:
* A commitment to nature conservation and sustainable use.
* Ability to provide inspiration and strategic direction.
* Demonstrated leadership abilities and experience, maturity and management skills.
* High level of integrity as evidenced by behaviour, communication style and way of handling ambiguous or difficult situations.
* Extensive and diverse professional networks.
* Demonstrated ability to manage and lead the work of the Secretariat with diverse skills, personalities, and backgrounds.
* Proven ability to effectively delegate, empower and motivate staff and others.
* Experience developing teams and individuals and effectively leading improvement and change.
* Clear commitment to fostering a culture of high performance and accountability, demonstrated in the ability to manage by results, differentiate performance and assertively give feedback and take decisive action when necessary.
* Demonstrated ability to both plan and act, keeping the staff focused on priorities.
* Demonstrated experience in the selection, coaching and appraisal of staff.
* Demonstrated experience building teams diverse in gender, nationality and background to achieve business results.
* Senior management experience, characterized by:
* A well‑developed sense of managerial self‑awareness with an ability to proactively manage individual strengths and weaknesses (including one’s own) and understand how these influence the team’s performance.
* Demonstrated experience and achievements in organizational, financial and personnel management, and in decision‑making.
* A commitment to embrace and co‑own institutional change processes.
* Proven experience in maintaining and nurturing expert networks with demonstrated ability to handle politically and culturally sensitive issues.
* Maintain a positive work environment that facilitates collaboration and information sharing and is conducive to attracting, retaining and motivating diverse talent.
* Professional competencies, characterized by:
* Expertise and an advanced degree in one or more areas of focus for the Global Ocean Team to ensure good technical guidance and direction‑setting for both the Global Ocean Team and IUCN.
* Good understanding of world affairs and experience with the workings of Multilateral Environmental Agreements and governmental and non‑governmental institutions.
* Excellent networking and representation skills.
* Strong communication and presentation skills in all settings, both public and internally including with interpersonal communications among staff.
* Ability and commitment to act in accordance with the core values of integrity, respect for diversity and professionalism as spelled out in IUCN’s Code of Conduct and Professional Ethics.
* Sound judgment and decision making, characterised by:
* Ability to anticipate, assess and manage risk.
* Experience in identifying key issues in a complex situation, and consulting, gathering, and analysing relevant information before proposing and implementing decisive actions or recommendations.
* Well‑organized and logical in thought and action.
Requirements
* At least 10 years of experience designing, leading and managing initiatives, large international events, programmes and projects aimed at conserving biodiversity, particularly in ocean conservation.
* At least 10 years of experience in leading and managing diverse, multi‑stakeholder partnerships and networks involving government agencies, NGOs, international organisations, development agencies, and scientific and technical bodies.
* A strong technical knowledge on ocean conservation issues worldwide and the main international policies affecting ocean conservation.
* A track record in successfully fundraising from a variety of donors.
* Demonstrated capacity to successfully design projects according to the latest project appraisal standards. Previous working experience of the GEF, the European Commission or other multilateral funding mechanism would be an additional asset.
* Experience in grant‑making and in contracting third parties to deliver on activities.
* A strong network within the ocean conservation community of practice, preferably with a focus on action in the field.
* Experience working across a range of geographic and cultural settings.
* Experience and a demonstrable track record in effective team and staff management and development, ensuring staff well‑being.
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, including ability to communicate complex issues to a wide range of audiences. A second language (French, Spanish) is highly desirable.
* Ability to travel frequently.
Salary
The gross annual salary for this position is between CHF 155 063 and CHF 193 829, subject to deductions for social security contributions and second‑pillar pension, and before tax. 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/
Seniority level
* Director
Employment type
* Contract
Job function
* Business Development and Sales
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