Vacancy #: 7506 Unit: Water and Wetlands Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Location: Headquarters, Gland, Switzerland Reporting to: Senior Water Governance Officer โ Water and Wetlands Work percentage: 100% Grade: YP Expected start date: 01 May 2026 Type of contract: Fixed-term (up to 24 months with possibility of renewal) Closing date: 10 February 2026 BACKGROUND The IUCN Water and Wetlands Team is based at IUCN Headquarters in Gland, Switzerland. IUCNโs Water and Wetlands Team brings together an extensive network of IUCN Members, experts, government and private sector partners to develop sustainable solutions to preserve water resources. The mission of the IUCN Water and Wetlands Team is to be a trusted partner for evidence-based and adaptive change in water resource management that benefits nature and people.
To support this mission, we are seeking a Young Professional eager to grow their skills in communications with an international context.
The team manages two key websitesโwaterandnature.org and iucn.org/water and LinkedIn pages: IUCN Water and Wetlands; S2S Platform. This position involves drafting, creating, managing, and optimizing content across these platforms while ensuring alignment with IUCNโs overall strategy and standards. Collaboration with headquarters, regional offices, and partners is essential to delivering high-quality, accessible, and engaging content.
The role also provides support in the planning and coordination of international and regional events. Key priorities include World Water Week (August 2026), the UN Water Conference (December 2026), and 11th World Water Forum (March 2027). Additionally, the role will contribute to drafting and implementing project communication plans, developing creative communications products (e.g., infographics, videos, articles), and ensuring the quality of project publications for initiatives such as BRIDGE and CREATES on transboundary water governance and SUSTAIN on integrated water and land management.
This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to IUCN's impactful work on water and wetlands, engaging with other communicators across IUCN, while enhancing visibility, engagement, and outreach across IUCNs diverse portfolio of programs and international initiatives. JOB DESCRIPTION A Young Professional is in place to provide a first professional experience in an international setting for young professionals (up to 35 years old) holding a Bachelorโs 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.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The role will focus on three core areas; digital communications, event support, as well as project-specific communications.
Digital communications (30%)
1. Coordinate the Water and Wetlands Team communications strategy and develop a content calendar, in collaboration with IUCNโs Global Communications Unit, ensuring alignment with global communications strategies.
2. Collaborate with colleagues across HQ and regional offices to create content; write, edit, and upload articles, blogs, and case studies. Update and publish content on the Water and Wetlands Teamโs webpages, including the Water Knowledge Platform (waterandwetlands.org) and iucn.org/water. Ensure that all content: text, images, and multimedia, is current, accurate, and optimised for readability and accessibility.
3. Assist with creative media development, including visual storytelling features and social media content. Manage professional social media accounts such as IUCN Water and Wetlands LinkedIn and the S2S Platform LinkedIn, ensuring regular and timely updates.
Project communications (30%)
1. Assist in the drafting and implementation of project communication strategies and content calendars for key IUCN Water initiatives, including the BRIDGE Programme, the SUSTAIN Initiative, and others.
2. Support the development of communication products such as articles, infographics, and videos for the above-mentioned initiatives.
3. Support drafting, revision, and quality assurance of project publications, including brochures, case studies, policy briefings, and reports.
Conference and event support (20%)
1. Support the coordination and development of content, events, sessions, and pavilions for international conferences. Coordinate recurring planning meetings and track event submissions and responses.
2. Prepare and implement communication plans for events, including the development of flyers and promotional content on LinkedIn and other relevant media. Support the creation of professional PowerPoint presentations for events.
3. Assist with logistical and administrative tasks related to conference and event management.
The above job description contains the main duties and responsibilities for this position. However, 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 a staff memberโs responsibilities, the job description will be changed in consultation with the manager, the staff member and the Human Resources Management Group. Anyone of the three may initiate the consultation.
REQUIREMENTS โข In order to be eligible for the Young Professional Programme, candidates must:
a) Hold a bachelor's degree (or equivalent);
b) Have a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 3 yearsโ relevant experience after obtaining their bachelor's degree;
c) Be under 35 years of age at the moment they apply for the Young Professional position;
d) Be fluent in one of the three IUCN languages (English, Spanish and French).
Education:
University degree in communications, digital media, event management, or a related field, with a demonstrated interest in nature conservation, sustainable water management, and governance.
Desired Experience & Technical Skills:
โข Familiarity with Content Management Systems (CMS) such as WordPress and Drupal, including experience updating, maintaining, and optimising website content.
โข Experience creating, managing, and scheduling content for professional social media platforms, particularly LinkedIn.
โข Strong writing and editing skills for digital platforms, with the ability to ensure clarity, readability, and alignment with organisational standards and tone of voice.
โข Experience creating or supporting the development of visual content, including infographics, videos, and other multimedia materials.
โข Experience using AI tools in communications work, with demonstrated adaptability, willingness to learn, and openness to adopting new digital tools.
โข Basic graphic design skills, with experience using tools such as Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud (or similar design software).
โข Event coordination experience, including organising meetings, tracking submissions, and supporting logistical and communication tasks for large-scale or multi-stakeholder events.
Other desired Skills:
โข Project coordination: Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and effectively communicate with team members and stakeholders across various locations.
โข Attention to detail: Ability to identify and address inconsistencies or errors in content, design, and event logistics, ensuring alignment with organizational guidelines.
โข Adaptability: Willingness to learn new tools, adapt to emerging tasks, and work in a dynamic, fast-paced international environment.
โข Cultural Awareness: Sensitivity and understanding of working in an international, multicultural context. SALARY The gross annual salary for this position is CHF 60'000, 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/
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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