This senior leadership position provides an exciting opportunity in Oceania to lead the implementation of IUCN’s Vision: A just world that values and conserves nature.

As the most senior IUCN Secretariat leader in the region, the Director is part of the global senior management team that contributes to the organisation’s performance and global targets of conservation. The Director will facilitate the implementation of the IUCN Programme in Oceania in coordination with IUCN Members, including governments, civil society organisations, and Commission experts, ultimately contributing to IUCN’s voice as the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it.

This position requires an accomplished, credible, and reliable senior leader and manager with strong experience and a good understanding of environmental policy issues in the regional and global context. The Director represents the IUCN Secretariat and provides leadership and guidance for all activities undertaken by the Secretariat in the region. With a firm understanding of Oceania and international challenges and opportunities, the Regional Director is responsible for fundraising efforts to achieve the IUCN Programme as approved by its members. Fully supported by a range of local, regional, and global experts, the Regional Director is accountable for financial, human, and administrative resources, and ensures the regional financial viability of the IUCN Programme in line with IUCN policies, rules, and procedures.

As the official representative in the region, she/he is responsible for maintaining a high and professional corporate profile for IUCN, particularly with IUCN Members, partners and stakeholder groups at different levels. The Oceania Regional Office is supported by the Asia-Oceania Service Hub based in Thailand, which provides oversight, financial services and programme support to the Office. The Regional Director ensures that all organisational activities are consistently performed under the principles of equity, fairness, inclusiveness, and respect for the diversity of people.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Leadership, Policy Influencing, and Representation

• Represent and promote the mission of IUCN in Oceania in a manner that enhances the status of the Union and influences decision-making bodies, intergovernmental agencies, governments, non-governmental organisations, civil society, and the private sector.
• Represent, or arrange for, appropriate representation of IUCN in relevant regional events.
• Promote IUCN’s mission and ensure that IUCN’s policy positions and Programme are known and considered in the decisions of countries and institutions in the region.
• Provide strategic leadership and guidance in delivering IUCN’s Programme in the region.
• Serve as a member of IUCN’s senior management team to establish and implement strategic decisions for the IUCN Secretariat.
• Establish diplomatic relations with governments and formalise such relationships by forging agreements that enhance active cooperation and collaboration to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature.
• Establish priorities and remain accountable for the implementation of work plans to manage and mitigate strategic and operational risks associated with various programmatic engagements.
• Provide strategic direction on regional and country-specific knowledge products and reports.

Membership and Engagement

• In collaboration with the IUCN Membership Unit and focal points at the regional level, implement the IUCN Membership Strategy and develop and implement membership recruitment, engagement, and retention plans.
• Develop and maintain regular contact with governments, regional and national committees of Members, existing and potential IUCN Members, partner organisations, and Commission members.
• In collaboration with the different parts of IUCN – governments, indigenous peoples, and NGO Members, National and Regional Committees of Members, Commission experts, and the Secretariat – work together to develop, implement, and advance IUCN’s Programme in Oceania
• Initiate, promote, and facilitate initiatives and dialogues on key issues of conservation policy, based on IUCN's regional and global priorities.
• Partner with national and regional IUCN Member Committees in preparing IUCN’s quadrennial Programme.
• Identify institutions – both public and private – with which IUCN can establish collaborative relationships in programmatic work.
• Establish and maintain exceptional relations with the donor community in the region to obtain long-term engagement and support for IUCN’s Programme.


Resources, Operational and Change Management

•Develop and maintain long-term financial sustainability for IUCN Oceania through successful fund generation strategies and nurturing relations with the donor community in the region to ensure lasting engagement and support for IUCN’s Programme.
•Oversee preparation, implementation, evaluation and reporting of multi-year programmes for IUCN's work in Oceania, in line with IUCN's Programme and business model.
•Build, nurture and lead a coherent, fit-for-purpose and high-performing regional team in planning and delivering IUCN’s Programme including to attract, retain and motivate diverse talent.
•Maintain a positive, productive and innovative work environment that facilitates collaboration and information-sharing while fully aligned with IUCN’s institutional values, norms and overall culture.
•Develop and retain close coordination and knowledge exchange links across the IUCN Secretariat and IUCN constituencies.
•Direct the effective operation of the IUCN Secretariat’s activities in the region, including workforce resource and financial management, as well as the implementation of IUCN policies, procedures, and control mechanisms.
•Build and nurture a coherent IUCN team and coordinate with other IUCN offices, to develop deeper collaboration and enable the greater achievement of IUCN’s mission
•Provide administrative oversight to the Regional Office in ensuring compliance with IUCN policies, procedures and guidelines.