Biodiversity Lead (global, NL based)

BIODIVERSITY LEAD

Netherlands based
32-36 hours per week

About us 

Wetlands International works to conserve and restore diverse wetland systems in all parts of the world, ranging from mudflats, mangroves and saltmarshes along the coast to freshwater wetlands all the way up to the mountains, including peatlands, marshes, rivers and floodplains.

Our 10-year global strategy focuses on making a significant contribution to reverse the decline in biodiversity, build resilient wetland communities and enable equitable and sustainable development, while ensuring climate change mitigation and adaptation. 

Our growing portfolio includes initiatives focused on conserving and restoring wetland biodiversity. We have coordinated the International Waterbird Census since 1967, a valuable data resource that has helped identify and protect 100 million hectares of wetlands as sites of global importance and informed international agreements on the conservation of biodiversity such as CBD, Ramsar, AEWA, EAAFP, the EU Birds Directive and CMS.

We are highly collaborative, working with long-established networks and strategic partnerships, including International Waterbird Census coordinators, specialist groups, government agencies, research institutes, NGOs and corporate partners.  

Your role 

As the Biodiversity Lead you will nurture, profile, strengthen and align Wetlands International’s work on biodiversity. You will develop a strategy on biodiversity and work on its integration in the various programmes. You will strengthen and expand our global waterbird monitoring work and our pioneering work on flyway and swimway approaches to the conservation of migratory birds and fish. An excellent organiser, you will do so in close collaboration with our network of offices and with strategic partners.

Job Offer  

• Gross monthly salary range of EUR 3,622 – EUR 6,048, excluding 8% holiday pay, based on full-time (36-hours – 5 days) work week (32-hours – 4 days contract is possible).
• Contract duration: One year, with expectation of extension.  
• Location: Global Office in Ede-Wageningen, the Netherlands.

The Biodiversity Lead is part of the Knowledge and Innovation team.

Responsibilities 

Shaping, sharpening, and boosting our biodiversity portfolio (60%): 

• Lead the development, fundraise for, and oversee implementation of a portfolio of ambitious biodiversity programmes, in collaboration with the Programme Leads, with a focus on (migratory) waterbirds and freshwater fish. 
• Develop the financial and organisational functioning of the International Waterbird Census to support waterbird conservation and policy processes.
• Based on our Global Strategic intent and building on our track record, develop a practical overarching plan to strengthen and expand our biodiversity work. 

 Mobilising our network, partners, and society (40%):  

• Support the integration of and collaboration on biodiversity across Wetlands International’s programmes and strengthen capacities amongst staff and partner organisations to integrate biodiversity in their work. 
• Identify and create opportunities to promote biodiversity as a proxy for wetland health and functioning 
• Mobilise and nurture relevant strategic alliances, partners, and experts, and represent Wetlands International in relevant forums and networks. 
• Support international and regional policy engagement on inclusion of wetlands biodiversity in various policy instruments and collaboration frameworks (CBD, Ramsar, CMS, UNFCCC, AEWA, EAAFP, WHSRN), in close collaboration with our advocacy team. 

The focus in the first year will be on building a portfolio of biodiversity programs and mobilizing the network. Mobilizing strategic alliances, policy engagement and advocacy for biodiversity conservation and restoration will follow later.

Your profile 

You are a strategic thinker and do-er with strong passion for biodiversity. In your work, you adopt a science-based and participative approach. You bring significant practical understanding of biodiversity conservation and a successful programme development and fundraising track record. You believe in the power of teamwork, and you invest in knowledge sharing and development of your peers.  

Education, skills, and experience

• At least 5 years of relevant strategy and programme development, including fundraising.
• Strong willingness and ability to learn, share and innovate; effective program manager and convener, able to mobilise teams and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of key issues, debates, trends, and key global processes related to biodiversity, nature-based solutions and ideally waterbirds and freshwater fish in wetland landscapes.
• Successful track record working with dispersed teams and diverse partners. Experience working abroad in diverse cultural settings, and willingness to travel when necessary 
• MSc degree or PhD in a relevant scientific discipline 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English 

How to apply 

Please send your CV and motivation letter no later than 31 October 2024 to Jozefa van der Veen, HR Officer: hr@wetlands.org with “Application: Biodiversity Lead” in the subject line.
Selection and video call interviews will take place on a rolling basis.

Please contact Annelies Pijnenburg (16-26 Sept email only, otherwise happy to take your phone call) should you have any questions regarding this vacancy.