Vacancy #: 7159 Unit: Forest and Grasslands Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Location: European Regional Office Germany, Bonn, Germany Reporting to: Programme Officer, Forest and Grasslands Work percentage: 50% Grade: I Expected start date: 04 March 2025 Type of contract: Fixed-term (6 months) Closing date: 12 February 2025 BACKGROUND IUCN is a membership Union composed of both government and civil society organisations. It harnesses the experience, resources and reach of its more than 1,400 Member organisations and the input of more than 17,000 experts. This diversity and vast expertise makes IUCN the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it.
IUCNโs vision is a just world that values and conserves nature. IUCNโs mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. IUCN helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges. We work on biodiversity, climate change, energy, human livelihoods and greening the world economy by supporting scientific research, managing field projects all over the world, and bringing governments, NGOs, the UN and companies together to develop policy, laws and best practice.
The Forest and Grassland Team (FGT) at IUCN is responsible for developing and executing the global conservation program for forests and grasslands. This includes efforts in primary forest and native grassland conservation, ecosystem restoration on both area-based and landscape scales, and effective rangeland and drought reduction management. The team addresses threats such as climate change and large-scale deforestation by advocating and implementing practical solutions supported by scientific knowledge. JOB DESCRIPTION To be eligible for this internship, candidates must:
a) Have secured the right to live and work in Germany for the entire duration of the internship. IUCN will not provide assistance with visa or work permit applications, nor will it alter applicants' visa status.
b) Be enrolled in a university or equivalent tertiary institution:
- Undergraduate students should have completed at least one year of full-time study.
- Graduate students should be in the process of completing their degrees.
- Be enrolled in an academic program relevant to the duties and responsibilities outlined in the Terms of Reference.
Remuneration:
Voluntary interns are compensated at 13,25 EUR per hour, and work up to 20 hours per week. Interns or their sponsoring institutions are responsible for the costs and arrangements related to travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses.
The Intern will support the implementation of the Forest and Grassland Team in 6 months, particularly in:
1. Communication and Outreach
โข Contribute to the development and implementation of communication strategies for key projects, ensuring effective dissemination of objectives and outcomes.
โข Support outreach efforts, such as preparing newsletters, drafting web stories, and updating social media platforms.
โข Assist in creating and editing publications, promotional materials, and other communication outputs to highlight the Teamโs achievements.
โข Liaise with stakeholders and partners to ensure consistent and impactful messaging.
โข Support the documentation of lessons learned and success stories to inform adaptive management and future planning.
โข Contribute to preparing evaluation reports, highlighting progress, challenges, and recommendations.
2. Project Coordination and Administration
โข Assist in the creation and maintenance of project trackers to monitor progress and enhance coordination among implementation partners.
โข Support the preparation, organization, and follow-up of project-related meetings, workshops, and events.
โข Draft meeting minutes, compile action points, and track their implementation to ensure smooth operations.
โข Provide administrative support for reporting and documentation processes across ongoing initiatives.
3. Research and Technical Support
โข Conduct desk-based research to inform ongoing studies, project proposals, and programmatic decision-making.
โข Assist in liaising with IUCN regional and country offices to gather relevant information for scoping studies and other research needs.
โข Support data analysis, including GIS-based assessments and monitoring activities, to contribute to project deliverables.
โข Draft concise summaries, reports, and case studies based on research findings and project activities.
โข Support the preparation of concept notes and funding proposals through research, writing, and editing.
โข Assist in compiling and editing reports for donors, stakeholders, and internal audiences.
The above job description contains the main duties and responsibilities for this position. 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 and the Human Resources Management Group.
REQUIREMENTS โข Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a degree program (Bachelorโs or Masterโs level) in a relevant field, such as Forestry/Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Geography, International Development, or a related discipline.
โข Demonstrated coursework or experience in areas such as forest landscape restoration (FLR), grasslands, rangelands, drylands management, biodiversity conservation, sustainable land management, or similar fields.
โข Familiarity with research methods, data analysis, and reporting in environmental or social sciences; basic GIS or spatial analysis skills are an advantage.
โข Strong communication skills with academic or professional experience in report writing, policy briefs, or storytelling
โข An understanding of sustainable development, global environmental frameworks, or international project implementation is desirable.
โข Demonstrated ability to support event coordination, including organizing workshops, preparing materials, and documenting outcomes.
โข Proficiency in using Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and familiarity with collaborative platforms such as SharePoint or Teams.
โข Fluency in English, both written and verbal; proficiency in another language, such as French or Spanish, is an advantage. 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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