The Governance and Policy Programme Officer will be responsible for coordinating and enhancing governance and policy engagement across the region, ensuring that IUCN ECARO’s initiatives are effectively implemented and utilized. A primary responsibility, particularly for the first four years, will be to ensure the implementation of the biodiversity pillar of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans (GAWB) and to administer the Biodiversity Task Force (BDTF) Secretariat. The Governance and Policy Programme Officer will also focus on expanding networks of contributors and users, supporting regional governance structures related to natural resource management, and liaising with various partners to foster decision-making processes for biodiversity-related processes. Familiarity with EU nature policy, especially the EU Green Deal and the 2030 Biodiversity Strategy, will be critical for this role. Additionally, the Governance and Policy Programme Officer will coordinate and contribute to governance and policy work under different projects in the IUCN ECARO portfolio, especially those focusing on policy development and institutional development. The Governance and Policy Programme Officer will also act as the focal point for liaising with the Centre for Policy and Law (CPL) from ECARO to strengthen connections with policy officers in the region.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Governance and Policy Coordination
• Support the development and implementation of governance and policy initiatives in Eastern Europe and Central Asia that align with IUCN’s strategic priorities and regional needs;
• Collaborate with national and regional partners to enhance governance structures and policy frameworks related to nature conservation and sustainable development, with a strong focus on the Western Balkans and EU nature policy;
• Coordinate and contribute to governance and policy work under various projects within the IUCN ECARO portfolio, ensuring coherence and alignment with IUCN’s objectives;
• Ensure the effective implementation of the biodiversity pillar of the GAWB and administer the BDTF Secretariat;
• Facilitate the integration of governance considerations into IUCN ECARO projects and programs;
• Act as the focal point for ECARO for liaising with the IUCN CPL, as well as with the Regional European and North African Programme to ensure strong connections with regional policy officers.

Supporting Policy Influencing and Advocacy
• Act as a liaison officer within IUCN ECARO for thematic and regional programmes/teams following biodiversity policy processes (e.g., CBD, Ramsar, CITES, CMS) to ensure appropriate coordination and coherence in biodiversity policy messaging;
• Develop policy products, such as position papers and briefs, ensuring appropriate consultation across IUCN – global and regional teams as well as IUCN Commissions;
• Regularly circulate pertinent notifications and key information on prioritised biodiversity policy processes, keeping track of upcoming events and deadlines.

Programme Management and Implementation
• Support the effective and efficient implementation of governance and policy activities throughout the IUCN ECARO project portfolio through timely execution of activities, ensuring compliance with IUCN’s procedures and donor requirements;
• Monitor and manage project budgets, ensuring financial resources are used effectively and in accordance with donor agreements;
• Lead the collection, collation, and reporting of project data and documents, and assist with the submission of technical progress reports;
• Ensure proper management and follow-up of projects under the Policy Officer’s responsibility, and regularly update information in the Project Portal.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
• Oversee the development and implementation of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks and systems for IUCN ECARO;
• Document and share lessons and experiences to inform practice and support continuous improvement of governance and policy activities.

Programme Growth and Resource Mobilization
• Identify opportunities for new projects and work with colleagues to design and develop innovative policy and governance-related proposals;
• Support the investigation of additional fundraising possibilities to ensure the sustainability of governance and policy activities;
• Contribute to the communication and dissemination of programme achievements both internally and externally.

Capacity Building
• Support the implementation of capacity-building programs focused on governance and policy development;
• Provide technical support and facilitation to project partners to enhance their ability to deliver on project activities and objectives.

SALARY
The gross annual salary for this position is in the range from 34.669 EUR to 43.336 EUR subject to deductions for social security contributions and health insurance, and before tax.