Young Professional

Vacancy #:

- 7014
- Unit:

- Ramsar Convention Secretariat
- Organisation:

- The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar)
- Location:

- Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands, Gland, Switzerland
- Reporting to:

- Conference and Governance Services Officer
- Work percentage:

- 100%
- Grade:

- YP
- Expected start date:

- 01 November 2024
- Type of contract:

- Max-term (12 months)
- Closing date:

- 29 September 2024

BACKGROUND

The Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands and of wetland biodiversity and services. It is the first of the modern global multilateral environmental agreements and remains the only one devoted to a specific critical ecosystem.

The Convention Secretariat has its headquarters in Gland, Switzerland, where the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) provides some administrative services for the Convention.

The Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands, wetland biodiversity, and ecosystem services. It is the first of the modern global multilateral environmental agreements and remains the only one devoted to a specific critical ecosystem.

The Convention Secretariat is headquartered in Gland, Switzerland, where the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) provides administrative support to the Convention.

We are seeking a motivated Young Professional - Convenings to join our team under the supervision of the Conference and Governance Services Officer. The Young Professional will support the logístical and administrative organisation of official meetings for the Governing and Subsidiary Bodies of the Convention, including the upcoming 15th Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) to be held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, from 23 to 31 July 2025.
- Assist in the planning and organisation of all logistics and administrative matters related to official meetings of the Governing and Subsidiary Bodies of the Convention.
- Provide support to ensure the smooth and high-quality execution of all official meetings, including the upcoming COP15; implement assigned tasks to ensure the smooth operation of all aspects of COP15, including logistics, in line with the COP15 Planning and the Memorandum of Understanding for COP15 signed with the Government of Zimbabwe.
- Coordinate with diverse stakeholders, including but not limited to external contractors, representatives of governments, and internal collaborators, to facilitate meeting arrangements.
- Manage meeting schedules, venues, and other logistics to ensure seamless operations, including the preparation of contracts, correspondence, and participant registration.
- Support the preparation of meeting documents, reports, and communication materials as required.
- Assist with the administrative tasks related to meeting organisation, including coordination of travel arrangements for participants and other logístical needs.
- Contribute to post-meeting evaluations and feedback processes to enhance future convening experiences.

The above job description outlines the main duties and responsibilities for this position. However, in the Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands, staff members may be required to undertake additional tasks reasonably assigned to them, even if they are not part of their regular job description.

REQUIREMENTS
- The Young Professional (YP) Programme is in place to provide a first professional experience in an international setting for young professionals (up to 35 years old) holding a Bachelor’s Degree. IUCN will ask for a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 3 years of experience for this type of contract. IUCN is committed to providing all YPs with a quality experience that involves meaningful work and activities with the opportunity to learn and gain practical work experience in an international setting. YPs will be provided with clearly defined Terms of Reference (TORs). They will be adequately supervised by a suitable identified Senior Unit/Programme/Group staff member, who will monitor their progress, ensure that they contribute effectively and resolve any concerns they may have throughout their assignment with IUCN.
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Event Management, Logistics, International Relations, Public Administration, or a related field.
- 6 months to 3 years of relevant work experience in events management, logistics coordination, or administrative support, ideally in an international or environmental governance setting.
- Proven work experience in Zimbabwe or Southern Africa, with a strong understanding of the regional context, logístical challenges, and cultural nuances.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in