Young Professional – Conference Services
JOB DETAIL
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The Convention Secretariat has its headquarters in Gland, Switzerland, where the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) provides some administrative services for the Convention.
The Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands, wetland biodiversity, and ecosystem services. It is the first of the modern global multilateral environmental agreements and remains the only one devoted to a specific critical ecosystem.
The Convention Secretariat is headquartered in Gland, Switzerland, where the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) provides administrative support to the Convention.
We are seeking a motivated Young Professional – Convenings to join our team under the supervision of the Conference and Governance Services Officer. The Young Professional will support the logistical and administrative organisation of official meetings for the Governing and Subsidiary Bodies of the Convention, including the upcoming 15th Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) to be held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, from 23 to 31 July 2025.
• Provide support to ensure the smooth and high-quality execution of all official meetings, including the upcoming COP15; implement assigned tasks to ensure the smooth operation of all aspects of COP15, including logistics, in line with the COP15 Planning and the Memorandum of Understanding for COP15 signed with the Government of Zimbabwe.
• Coordinate with diverse stakeholders, including but not limited to external contractors, representatives of governments, and internal collaborators, to facilitate meeting arrangements.
• Manage meeting schedules, venues, and other logistics to ensure seamless operations, including the preparation of contracts, correspondence, and participant registration.
• Support the preparation of meeting documents, reports, and communication materials as required.
• Assist with the administrative tasks related to meeting organisation, including coordination of travel arrangements for participants and other logistical needs.
• Contribute to post-meeting evaluations and feedback processes to enhance future convening experiences.
The above job description outlines the main duties and responsibilities for this position. However, in the Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands, staff members may be required to undertake additional tasks reasonably assigned to them, even if they are not part of their regular job description.
| • The Young Professional (YP) Programme is in place to provide a first professional experience in an international setting for young professionals (up to 35 years old) holding a Bachelor’s 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.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Event Management, Logistics, International Relations, Public Administration, or a related field. • 6 months to 3 years of relevant work experience in events management, logistics coordination, or administrative support, ideally in an international or environmental governance setting. Advertisement
• Proven work experience in Zimbabwe or Southern Africa, with a strong understanding of the regional context, logistical challenges, and cultural nuances. • Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. • Ability to work independently and as part of a team. • Excellent communication skills in English; knowledge of other official languages of the Convention (French and Spanish) is an asset. • Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and database interfaces (CiviCRM). • Availability to be on-site at the COP15 venue in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, for up to three weeks in July 2025. |
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 world’s 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 people’s well-being.
