Vacancy #: 7500 Unit: ESARO -Drylands Resilience Programme(DRP) Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Location: Madagascar Country Office, Antananarivo, Madagascar Reporting to: Regional Programme Manager, Land Systems Work percentage: 100% Grade: P1 Expected start date: 01 March 2026 Type of contract: Fixed-term (up to 12 months) Closing date: 07 February 2026 BACKGROUND THIS IS A NATIONAL POSITION FOR MADAGASCAR
BACKGROUND
Madagascar is home to some of the worldโs most unique biodiversity, yet the country continues to lose about 90,000 hectares of forest each year due to slash-and-burn agriculture, unsustainable wood harvesting, and mining. This ongoing land degradation has severe impacts on rural communities, most of whom depend on natural resources for their daily livelihoods. In response, Madagascar has committed to restore 4 million hectares of degraded land under the Bonn Challenge and AFR100 by 2030. A National Forest Landscape Restoration Strategy (SNRPF), developed in 2017 through a highly participatory process, now guides these efforts. However, despite this strong policy framework, progress on the ground has been slowed by limited investment, weak intersectoral coordination, and insufficient capacity for monitoring and scaling restoration at landscape level.
The Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) Implementation Hub, led by IUCN in collaboration with partners, aims to change this by helping accelerate restoration efforts in priority landscapes such as the Diana region. The Hub focuses on strengthening enabling environments, unlocking public and private finance, and equipping local actors with the skills and tools they need for successful restoration. Within this context, the Natural Resources Economist (P1) will play a key role. This full-time position will ensure that restoration interventions are built on solid economic foundations, including costโbenefit analyses, financial viability assessments, and innovative funding models that attract investment. The economist will also support Malagasy institutions and communities to develop economically sound, community-led restoration plans, while contributing to the Restoration Barometer assessment of financial flows for restoration. JOB DESCRIPTION THE ROLE
This is a P1 position as per IUCN grades and will dedicate 100% of staff time implementing activities linked to economics and viability of restoration project proposals, including CBA analyses. The position will also build the capacity of stakeholders in Madagascar in FLR economics and innovative financing mechanisms. The position will be crucial to support economically sound community-led restoration plans. He/She will support the Restoration Barometer assessment on restoration financial flows. The position is based in Madagascar (Diana region with frequent travels to Antananarivo or vice-versa).
DUTIES
Provide Technical Leadership on Natural Economics for ESARO;
Identify, build relationships and working relations with economics/business stakeholders from the private sector, governments and NGOs;
Support the development of specific value chains related to FLR and other Nature based Solutions;
Engage potential investors in FLR-related value chains and facilitate dialogue between government and investors on modalities, models and incentives for investment in FLR;
Understand, develop, structure and implement a range of investment and financing mechanisms that incentivise FLR at different levels including individual businesses, household, community, landscape, district, watershed and if appropriate nationally;
Review, implement and continuously adapt natural resource economic appraisal approaches, including carbon mitigation potential and the packaging of landscape restoration as an economic/investment opportunity, within national and sub-national assessments of restoration potential;
Participate in national and sub-national assessment processes, providing environmental economics expertise and ensuring that all of the steps and key content of the full assessment methodology are captured;
Provide economics, business planning and financing support to other ESARO programmes;
Develop the business, finance and economics related elements of the countryโs M&E programme for FLR; and
Develop business, finance and economics-related knowledge products.
Programme and Project Management;
In consultation with project staff and the Finance Department, prepare and update the Regional Portfolio ABC lists on a regular basis and as requested by the country representative;
Convene regular meetings with project staff to review progress on projects as well as cost recovery and provide monthly reports to the Project manager, and Head of land systems for onward submission to Global office;
In collaboration and request by Regional Head of land systems, attend the regional technical programme monthly briefing meetings as well as the regional technical coordination group meetings and actively contribute to the substance of these meetings;
Support monitoring and evaluation process of projects, ensuring that evaluations are carried out in accordance within contracting requirements;
Acting as a focal point for facilitating and supporting the involvement of relevant IUCN Commissions, Members and other members of the Secretariat in the development and implementation of programmatic activities;
Ensuring that project/programme strategies and work plans are developed and implemented according to plan and commitments to partners and donors (including assuring quality of performance & progress, timing and budget);
Ensuring that contractual obligations and IUCNโs policies and procedures are efficiently adhered to;
Contributing to the development of the ESAROโs Land Systems Programme Monitoring and Evaluation Framework;
Populating and updating the project portal with relevant project status and performance information;
Ensuring that all projects develop and effectively implement M&E frameworks and systems, in line with the overall Component M&E framework;
Contributing to developing capacity for M&E within the country office and projects within the country portfolio; and
Contributing to the preparation of the projectโs progress and final reports.
Resource Mobilization and Partnerships;
Assist in identifying, establishing and building relationships with strategic partners (including, but not limited to Members and Donors) relevant and necessary for Programme delivery and growth;
In consultation with the IUCN members as well as other key stakeholders, identify key programmatic strategic priorities relevant to the current and emerging needs around forestry, conservation and forest landscape restoration;
Support development and coordination in implementation of strategies to position IUCN as a key technical partner for Governments as well as other strategic partners in Madagascar;
Identify and secure funding opportunities to operationalise the priorities related to Forestry, Sustainable Agriculture, Forest Landscape Restoration and drylands (through the implementation of projects and programmatic initiatives);
Work Closely with Country offices to ensure technical and programme coordination and harmonization;
Provide high-level technical support to countries in relation to forestry, land use and livelihoods strategies and assessments;
Maintain/develop excellent relationships with government stakeholders including at Ministers, Directors and technical levels in Madagascar;
Maintain excellent relationships with development partners in the region and represent IUCN at key events and occasions.
Any other duties
Carry out other relevant tasks assigned by and mutually agreed with the line manager. REQUIREMENTS โข POSITION REQUIREMENT
Education:
A Masterโs degree in Environmental Economics, Natural Resource Economics, Forestry, Environmental Sciences and Management, Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness or related fields.
Work Experience;
At least 5-7 years of professional experience in natural resource economics, forestry, landscape restoration or sustainable land use, and ecosystem-based approaches.
Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing investment and financing mechanisms for FLR or natural resource-based projects.
Experience in engaging with multiple stakeholders: governments, private sector, NGOs, and community organizations across several countries (experience in Madagascar or the Eastern/Southern Africa region is a plus).
Strong track record in project and programme management, including planning, budgeting, monitoring and reporting.
Experience in resource mobilization, fundraising, and partnership building.
Ability to work effectively within a large, decentralized workforce of professionals of different nationalities and to mobilize it towards common goals.
Language;
Excellent verbal and communication skills in English/French is a must. Working knowledge of Malagasy is an added advantage.
Core Competencies;
Transparency: Capable of fostering trust and supporting informed, responsible decision-making by executing IUCN's work transparently; offers clear direction to ensure team members understand objectives and achieve measurable results effectively;
Inclusiveness: Demonstrates an understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity, creating an inclusive, positive, and supportive workplace that values and respects differences. Exhibits the ability to thrive in a multicultural and multi-ethnic setting while maintaining productive relationships with individuals from diverse national and cultural backgrounds;
Professionalism: Represent the organizationโs goals, values, and priorities with dedication and professionalism;.
Accountability: Assumes accountability for both personal and team actions, fostering strong collaboration between IUCN and partners.
Functional competencies;
Adheres to IUCN ESARO core values of Transparency, Inclusiveness, Professionalism and Accountability;
Excellent diplomacy and negotiation skills to work with national and regional entities.
Excellent interpersonal skills and a strong team player with proven communication and diplomacy with the ability to work effectively with multicultural and multidisciplinary teams with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
Highly motivated and results-oriented individual;
Demonstrated ability to work with limited supervision to prioritize tasking and manage workflow in a high
pressure environment;
Must be a proactive individual who is able to energize and motivate teams;
Committed to continuous learning and proactive and mature attitude towards self-development; and
Ability and willingness to travel extensively within the region and beyond. 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/
About IUCN
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.
IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.
Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve peopleโs well-being.
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