Regional Blue Science and Business Innovation Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Programme development, implementation and portfolio management;

• Lead responsibility for designing, resource mobilization and implementation of research, and support for new and ongoing coastal and marine science and research projects through all phases from concept and proposal development to implementation and reporting;
• Assist with project-specific research tasks, especially those envisaged in the ‘IslandPlas: Advancing Circular Solutions to Plastic Pollution in African Islands’ project, including but not limited to compiling and synthesizing scientific background information, designing and preparing research tools and materials, assisting with external engagement and management of contractual arrangements with experts, and identifying priority research needs in the region;
• Propose, plan and help facilitate research on initiatives that advance scientific insights relevant to policy reform and business innovation and to biodiversity conservation outcomes, with a particular attention given to addressing plastic pollution;
• Facilitate the synthesis of science-focused informational and knowledge products to help develop an evidence base to inform actionable plastic-reduction policies and strategies for State and non-state actors;
• Assist the IslandPlas and ‘End Plastic Pollution International Collaborative (EPPIC)’ projects to compile or develop resources, collate insights from engagements and preparation of inputs to meetings and/or conferences;
• Support preparation of written project updates (including reports, white papers, presentations, and e-mail text) and their promotion with donors, supporters, partners, collaborators, and with IUCN’s wider Ocean Plastics community;
• Facilitate and support regional deliberations on emerging priority topics of scientific relevance arising from the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution, Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), and regional conventions and agreements to inform reforms in policies, with a particular attention given to plastics pollution discourse;
• Participate in the development of scientifically-relevant key performance indicators (KPIs), with a particular attention for plastics initiatives, and ensure their adequate monitoring and reporting.

Technical scientific leadership and external engagement;

• Function as a COR Programme subject matter expert on ocean plastics science and ensure that IUCN is adequately represented in relevant international, regional and country fora and facilitate discussions on emerging issues of concern to position IUCN as a reference in the region;
• Lead the COR Programme’s convening and participation in regional science-policy-business platforms to contribute to discussions on locally-relevant innovations required, with a particular attention given to plastic value chains;
• Represent IUCN at key conferences, meetings and convenings, presenting information and novel findings from primary research and assessments, and reporting broader convening insights back to the team;
• Act as a focal point in facilitating and supporting the involvement of IUCN Commissions, Members and other members of the Secretariat in the development of innovative projects, with a particular attention given to projects aiming at bridging the gap between the science and business community and enhancing strong collaboration between scientists and private sector/entrepreneurs;
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of relevant peer-reviewed literature and new publication and select key takeaways for sharing and updating the regional COR Programme team members and for programme development;
• Maintain an up-to-date archive of scientific studies and outputs from IUCN and partners to ensure ease of access to the most up-to-date, reliable and credible data, and the development of a system to maintain up-to-date fact sheets, blog posts, infographics, figures, and other scientific materials for journalists, general audiences, and/or decision- and policy-makers;
• Provide support to develop new and compelling communication assets for use in response to scientific informational requests and opportunities;
• Assist with drafting information outputs and reports that integrate an understanding of the global plastic pollution crisis with policy, waste management, and other relevant upstream, midstream and downstream solutions;
• Work collaboratively with the regional communications team to convey important insights about ocean plastics science in a variety of formats including (but not limited to) blogs, action alerts, comment letters to governments and national authorities, presentations, reports, media inquiry responses, social media posts and peer-reviewed publications.

Other responsibilities;

• Perform other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

REQUIREMENTS
Position requirements;

Education;

• An advanced university degree preferably in relevant disciplines, such as, marine science, marine ecology, oceanography, chemistry, sustainability studies, environmental science, environmental engineering, marine resource management, or related fields; A PhD degree would be considered an asset.
• Professional certification in circular economy, waste innovation, environmental design, sustainable material management or in related areas will be an added advantage;
• Computer literacy in relation to office applications (word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint) use of internet and online communication tools.

Work Experience;

We’re looking for an outstanding, hands-on, highly motivated, autonomous, innovative, solution oriented, results driven and resourceful individual with at least eight to ten (8-10) years of prior proven experience in:

• spearheading science and research, in particular on ocean plastics;
• skilled in collaborative science and research programmes with demonstrated ability to engage across cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary boundaries, displaying sensitivity and respect for diversity;
• highly collaborative mentality, with a record of successfully leading or participating in collaborative research;
• interested and enthusiastic to help drive collaborative scientific research in the Western Indian Ocean;
• advanced quantitative skills, including analysis of quantitative datasets, code-writing and producing effective and captivating data visualizations for communication purposes;
• experienced in engaging global, regional and national stakeholders, and particularly business and industry representatives, in particular on emerging plastics sector innovation;
• able to interact effectively with and directly support or identify experts required to support varying aspects the programme, in particular of the plastics area of work;
• good understanding of core principles that promote environmental justice and equity, including just transition in environmental sustainability;
• interested in marine conservation, and has in-depth knowledge of marine and coastal ecosystems, and societal impacts and threats facing the ocean;
• strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex scientific or technical concepts to varied and cross-sector audiences;
• ability to work under pressure managing competing demands and complex situations and deliver satisfactory and timely results;
• committed to continuous learning and proactive and mature attitude towards self-development.

Language requirement;

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English is essential. Ability to communicate in French and/or Portuguese an added advantage.

Core Competencies;

• Transparency: Able to build trust and contribute to informed and responsible decision making by carrying out the work of IUCN in a transparent manner; provides clear guidance to ensure that objectives and desired measurable results are understood by members of the team.
• Inclusiveness: Understands and accepts cultural diversity, and provide a tolerant, positive and supportive working environment that fosters respect for diversity, demonstrates ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds.
• Professionalism: Promote the organization’s interests, objectives and values in a diligent and professional manner.
• Accountability: Takes responsibility of individual and collective actions, promotes the IUCN One Programme approach.

Functional competencies;

• Adheres to IUCN core values of Transparency, Inclusiveness, Professionalism and Accountability;
• Strong collaborative scientific research skills and experience;
• Ability to manage complex situations in the design and roll-out of a fully-fledged scientific research programme in the area of ocean plastics;
• Be willing to undertake frequent travel and interact with different stakeholders from diverse cultures