JOB OFFER — IUCN Programme Officer for Medicinal Plants (TRAFFIC)

TRAFFIC is a joint program between the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF). Founded in 1976, it exists as a specialist group of the IUCN Species Survival Commission, and works to ensure that trade in wild animals and plants is not a threat to the conservation of nature. TRAFFIC actively monitors and investigates wildlife trade and provides information to diverse audiences worldwide as a basis for effective conservation policies and programs.

TRAFFIC International is seeking a Medicinal Plants officer for a fixed-term position based in Budapest, Hungry. The Medicinal Plants Officer will be responsible for the implementation of TRAFFIC projects relating to the use of and trade in MAPs in the European region, including Project Management for the Interreg Danube Transnational Programme project Local Economy, demographic change and Nature conservation in the Danube Region (LENA) – and assist in the development of TRAFFIC programme in Europe, working in close collaboration with the TRAFFIC network and TRAFFIC’s partners WWF and IUCN.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversees the implementation of the transnational activities of the Interreg Danube Transnational Programme project ‘LENA – Local Economy, demographic change and Nature conservation in the Danube Region’ implemented in Danube countries (Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia and Slovenia) in co-operation with project partners;
• Conducts ’LENA’ project activities and ensures project reporting as required in a capacity of Project Manager for the whole duration of the project;
• Supports the development of TRAFFIC’s work on MAPs in Europe, particularly in Central- and South-Eastern Europe, through fundraising, development of project concepts and funding proposals, liaison with potential donors and partners, etc;
• Supports TRAFFIC’s advocacy and communication activities related to MAPs in Europe, including maintenance and further development of the “Why Go Wild” website;
• Participates and contributes to the team work of the TRAFFIC’s workstream supporting actions to enhance benefits from sustainable and legal wildlife trade;
• Liaises with the Secretariat of the FairWild Foundation to promote the FairWild Standard in Europe and support its implementation by MAPs stakeholders;
• Communicates the outcomes of MAP activities in Europe to TRAFFIC Network and externally;
• Other tasks related to TRAFFIC’s work on MAPs in Europe as agreed with the TRAFFIC Regional Director for Europe;
• Responds to general enquiries that are directed to TRAFFIC, and represents TRAFFIC in media events as appropriate;
• Communicates the nature and results of the work that TRAFFIC undertakes and represents TRAFFIC at designated international meetings and conferences, and reports on these meetings;
• Liaises with relevant WWF and IUCN programmes and regional/national offices in Europe programme and keeps up-to-date and informed about activities related to wildlife conservation, trade and utilisation within Europe and maintains good working relationships with the European Commission, the CITES and CBD Secretariats, WWF, IUCN, governmental and intergovernmental agencies in Europe, and relevant NGOs;
• Maintains links and good working relationships with WWF, IUCN, governmental and intergovernmental agencies, and relevant NGOs.

REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s degree or similar qualification in ecology, natural resources management, biological/environmental sciences, agriculture, or similar. Candidates with a background in business/economics/international development, with a specialism in environment, will also be considered;
• Experience with the private sector (non-timber forest products, organic products, herbal and botanical products, labelling schemes) and good knowledge of the medicinal plants sector and trade in the region highly desirable;
• Significant practical experience in international wildlife conservation preferably with government or an international Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) / Inter-governmental Organisation (IGO) or with MAPs industry;
• At least 3 years of project management experience related to medicinal plant trade, natural resource management or similar;
• Ability to work under pressure and to set own work priorities as appropriate and a capacity to meet deadlines;
• Familiar with the goals and operation of TRAFFIC;
• Fluency in spoken and written English is a must; fluency in Hungarian and/or German with additional languages of the LENA countries (Bulgarian, Serbian, Slovenian), a distinct advantage.
• Strong communication, analytical and presentation skills, including strong writing abilities in the English language; multi-media communications experience an asset;
• An ability to work co-operatively as part of a small team with strong inter-personal skills and an ability to work in different cultural contexts;
• Willing and able to travel.

Must be eligible to work in the EU/Hungary.

For more information on how to apply, please see the IUCN-HRMS Portal here.