Project Coordinator - Independent Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (ISTAP) for the Restoration Phase of oil spill in the coast of Ventanilla, Peru

BACKGROUND

IUCN is a membership Union composed primarily by government and civil society organizations. IUCN leverages the experience, resources and reach of its more than 1,400 member organizations and the input of more than 18,000 experts globally. It Is the global authority on the state of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it.
The IUCN Secretariat has offices located around the world and is headquartered in Gland, Switzerland. IUCN is one of the leading providers of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its large and diverse membership makes IUCN a trusted incubator and repository of conservation best practices and tools, as well as international guidelines and standards. IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse actors, including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous groups, religious organizations and others can work together to create and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.
It works with diverse partners and allies to implement a broad and diverse portfolio of conservation projects around the world. These projects, which combine the latest scientific advances with the traditional knowledge of local communities, seek to halt and reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve human well-being.
The Regional Office of IUCN for South America (SUR), located in Quito – Ecuador counts with 30 years of experience in the implementation of biodiversity and natural resources sustainable management and conservation projects in the region. SUR is recognized as a leader in strengthening regional networks, in the generation and dissemination of information, as well as in the promotion of conservation strategies and policies. In addition, it has played an important role in supporting national governments and civil society organizations in the development of public policies, supporting, and advising decision-making processes and the implementation of actions towards sustainable development.
The portfolio of projects with the private sector in the region has been increasing with the support of the Enterprise and Investment team of IUCN, based in Switzerland. The main areas of work have been the establishment of Independent Scientific and Technical Advisory Panels (ISTAP) to accompany restoration processes after environmental disasters; in the use of the Nature-Based Solutions Standard to strengthen Biodiversity Plans and Strategies; evaluation of the state and benefits of environmental services because of restoration activities, among others.
The project name is “Independent Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (ISTAP) for the Restoration Phase of the January 15/2022 oil spill off the coast of Ventanilla, Peru”.
On January 15th, 2022, a spill of around 10,500 barrels happened during the process of unloading of crude oil from a tanker to the La Pampilla refinery on the coast of the Ventanilla District, in Constitutional Province of Callao. The oil spill has generated environmental, social and economic impacts on the population and on the flora and fauna living along the coastline and nearby localities, including two marine protected areas.
In response to the described situation, an advisory body of scientists and technical experts, convened and managed by IUCN will be set up to provide REPSOL and other stakeholders independent advice during the restoration phase. The outcomes of the Panel’s analysis and recommendations will be disseminated through IUCN publications, in order to maintain transparency about the work carried out.
The proposal takes advantage of IUCN’s previous experience working with extractive industries actors in restoration processes that took place in Africa, Northern Europe and Brazil.
The project team is composed by a Coordinator to be based in Quito, a Project Officer based in Brazil, who has the expertise of ISTAP, a Communications Officer and an Administrative Assistant. Additional financial & administrative support will be provided by IUCN’s Regional Office for South America, as well as technical backstopping by the Enterprise and Investment team, based in IUCN’s Headquarters.
This Terms of Reference aims to define the profile, functions and minimum requirements for the Coordinator for the project “Independent Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (ISTAP) for the Restoration Phase of the oil spill in the coast of Ventanilla, Peru”.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Description of the position
The person to be hired, will be responsible for the implementation of the project as part of the staff of SUR’s the Private Sector Program. He/she must operate and guarantee the effective and efficient implementation of project actions in support of the ISTAP in Peru, following IUCN policies and safeguards required for work with the private sector. His/her main responsibility will be to provide technical and coordination support to the Panel Chair and the Panel members, as well as serve as a technical knowledge resource and liaison to IUCN’s Secretariat and other stakeholders.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
a)In relation to IUCN processes
•Management of the ISTAP Project in Peru, including planning, budgeting, reporting and coordination.
•Integrate the activities and results of the project within the framework of IUCN’s Work Program 2021-2024 and its Agenda 2030, and the institutional regional priorities for South America.
•Coordinate and facilitate, together with the administrative/financial and monitoring instances of the project and with SUR, the planning, monitoring, systematization and evaluation processes following IUCN institutional guidelines and tools.
•Be responsible for the efficient use of resources assigned by REPSOL to SUR for project implementation and lead its technical and financial administration in close coordination with the Financial / Administrative Coordination at the Regional Office.
•Prepare narrative reports of project activities and review financial reports in accordance with IUCN requirements.
•Keep the information of the project updated in the POA (Smartsheet) and in IUCN’s Portal, as well as in the internal files for the systematization of information.
•Coordinate with SUR’s Regional Program Coordinator the implementation of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) activities of the project.
•Guarantee compliance with guidelines for procurement of goods and services, travel management and field activities, using IUCN’s system, in close coordination with the administrative and financial staff of the project and of SUR.
•Respect and comply with the norms, policies and institutional guidelines established by IUCN and REPSOL.
•Collaborate on a periodic basis with SUR’s team on relevant projects with the private sector, including potential replication of the ISTAP modality and the deployment of other IUCN tools along the region.

b)In relation to the Project:
•In coordination with both the technical and financial-administrative teams of SUR formulate the Panel’s Terms of Reference.
•Coordinate the selection process of the Panel´s Chair and members, following UICN procedures.
•Facilitate the development and implementation of the Panel’s strategic planning and workplan, helping to ensure the alignment of all products to the priorities identified in the annual planning, and the Panel’s Terms of Reference and delivery of products according to the timeline.
•Coordinate translation (primarily done by a third party) of relevant materials between English and Spanish.
•In consultation with the Panel Chair and the project team, lead the preparation of the agenda and materials for ISTAP meetings and visits to Peru, as well as periodic video conference meetings of the Panel and with external stakeholders.
•Coordinate the organization of face-to-face meetings, including logistics, and agendas; logistics with the support of the Administrative Assistant and other staff from SUR;
•Prepare minutes from Panel meetings and other relevant meetings between the Panel and stakeholders as needed in Spanish and English.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT
•Coordinate the provision of technical information and materials for the ISTAP and IUCN on issues related to the work of the Panel.
•Coordinate the whole process of production of reports, following IUCN directives, in close contact with Panel members, editor, peer reviewers, proof-readers, IUCN Editorial Board and the Project´s Communications Officer.
•Provide technical inputs to the process of developing products and deliverables, including review and reference checking of the Panel’s draft issue papers and thematic reports.
•In collaboration with the Communications Officer of the project, manage an online library of relevant documentation, both produced by the ISTAP and another reference material.
•Support the Panel Chair in the preparation of Panel documents related to the Project.

COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH
•Support the Communication Officer in ensuring relevant stakeholders, particularly IUCN’s Peruvian Members, as well as national, regional, and international audience are adequately informed of ISTAP’s work.
•Contribute content for and review of communications materials and translations.
•Serve as the main regular liaison with corresponding focal point(s) in REPSOL.

REQUIREMENTS

• •At least 8-10 years of previous work experience in implementing projects on biodiversity and/or sustainable development issues with business engagement, in the context of oil spills on the coast and sea.
•Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred; Academic training in natural resource management and strong research and writing skills are required.
•Previous project management experience of at least 5 years in coordination roles regarding environmental issues with the private sector.
•Preferably candidates with work experience in the extractive industry.
•Excellent spoken and written Spanish and English is essential.
•Ability to perform research, analysis and integration of diverse information from varied sources. Knowledge of research protocols and information access and management are highly desirable.
•Proven ability to synthetize and communicate complex information including report and meeting minutes preparation.
•Ability to effectively engage and communicate, including sensitive information, with diverse audiences and publics, from high-level decision makers to local stakeholders, as artisanal fishermen.
•Demonstrated teamwork capacity and ability to receive, analyze and build agreements on the base of different opinions and points of view.
•Demonstrated capacity to perform under pressure and successfully manage multiple deadlines and competing demands.
•Relevant IT skills, in particular with online communication platforms for video conferencing and other collaboration platforms.
•Hands-on mentality, result driven, team player and ability to work in a multicultural environment.
•Willingness to travel on a periodic base to Peru, including to the specific area affected by the spill, as well as internationally in order to present project results and outcomes to wider audiences.

APPLICATIONS

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: http://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 1,300 Member organisations and some 10,000 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.

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