Head of Resource Mobilization and Outreach

The Convention on Wetlands, also known as the “Ramsar Convention” from the name of the city in Iran where it was signed in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and sustainable use of wetland biodiversity and services. It was the first of the modern global multilateral environmental agreements and remains the only one devoted to a specific critical ecosystem.

The Ramsar Convention Secretariat has its headquarters in Gland, Switzerland where the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), provides some administrative services to the Convention’s Contracting Parties for the operations and implementation of the Convention.

The Head of Resource Mobilization and Outreach reports to the Secretary-General in the Ramsar Secretariat. The post-holder provides the lead within the Ramsar Secretariat regarding resource mobilization. The Ramsar Secretariat’s budget is composed of core funding provided by Contracting Parties using the United Nations contribution key, and non-core resources raised from different public and private sources. It is expected that the post-holder will focus especially in raising non-core revenue to cover the priorities determined by the Contracting Parties. He/she will also provide advice and tools to enable Contracting Parties to increase their funding base to implement the Convention. The post-holder also manages the Communications Team and ensures that it increases public awareness about wetlands and the Convention, coordinates media work, maintains the website, and supports the Convention’s network on communication, capacity building, education, participation and awareness (CEPA).

The position requires proved experience of fundraising at the international level, preferably with experience in an intergovernmental environment. The incumbent also needs to have experience in communications to increase awareness and support to the Convention. He/she should have excellent communication skills in English. A working knowledge of French and Spanish would be an advantage. A good knowledge of the issues affecting sustainable development and conservation and wise use of wetlands would also be an asset.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Support the Secretary-General by acting as a senior representative of the Convention and its Secretariat on behalf of the Secretary-General on issues of resource mobilization and outreach.

Resource mobilization

2. Take the lead in coordination of the Secretariat’s fundraising work, taking a « whole of Secretariat approach » to resource mobilisation and to leverage the Convention’s value proposition to support the priorities identified by the Contracting Parties.

3. Take responsibility for establishing and maintaining a programme, in coordination with all sections of the Secretariat, to:

i. Identify and engage with traditional and innovative funding sources and potential partners, including the private sector, funding mechanisms under multilateral environment agreements, connections and entities outside of the biodiversity sphere, increasingly broadening the donor base over time.
ii. Support the Secretary General’s fundraising and representation work.
iii. Mobilize funding to enable implementation of the Strategic Plan of the Convention, focusing on activities to increase non-core revenue for the priorities established by the Contracting Parties.
iv. Provide information and tools that support the Contracting Parties’ efforts to access funds for the implementation of the Convention and its Strategic Plan.
v. Identify and support opportunities to pilot innovative approaches that could be scaled up, working with Contracting Parties, regional initiatives, International Organization Partners (IOPs), and other partners.


Communications

4. Manage to the Communications Team to ensure that it develops and executes a programme to increase the visibility of the Convention and its influence through effective communication, education, participation and awareness. This includes:
i. Supporting the Ramsar CEPA network (Communication, capacity building, Education, Participation & Awareness).
ii. Managing global campaigns such as for World Wetlands Day; engaging with influencers and the public through social and other media;
iii. Integrating communications and outreach activities in other areas of the Secretariat's work.
iv. Developing and maintaining the Ramsar website as a tool for communication with the media and the public, and for knowledge management, and as a user-friendly resource for Contracting Parties to easily access to guidance and information materials.
v. Providing the information and communication technology service of the Ramsar Secretariat.
vi. Ensuring all materials created by the Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP) are clear and accessible, and relevant to targeted audiences.
vii. Monitoring and evaluating the reach and impact of the STRP’s products, and reporting its findings to the STRP.
viii. Developing explanatory and interpretive information directed at policy-makers to translate the STRP’s technical guidance for that audience.

Management

5. Act as a senior representative of the Convention and its Secretariat on behalf of the Secretary-General on issues of resource mobilization and outreach.

6. Develop and manage the work plan and budget of the Resource Mobilization and Outreach team.

7. Supervise the staff of the Resource Mobilization and Outreach unit, ensure that all staff have annual work plans linked to the strategic plan, encourage and assist their professional development. Hold staff accountable for results and for the quality of outputs. Ensure that the staff of the unit work together and with the other staff of the Secretariat as needed to achieve good synergies and cross-fertilization between the different teams.

8. As a member of the Senior Management Team, participate in the work planning of the Secretariat, and coordinate activities with those of other sections of the Secretariat to ensure efficiency of operation and implementation and a whole-of-Secretariat approach to the Secretariat’s work programme.

9. Represent the Secretary-General and the Ramsar Secretariat, as requested, in meetings and in contacts with government officials, intergovernmental organizations and secretariats of other conventions, partner organizations and other institutions, including the IOPs and national and international NGOs.

10. Contribute in the organization of meetings of governing bodies of the Convention and preparation of documents and reports regarding resource mobilization and outreach and communications.


The above job description contains the main duties and responsibilities for this position. However, in the Ramsar Secretariat, staff members are expected to undertake other tasks that are reasonably allocated to them but which are not part of their regular job description. Where any task becomes a regular part of an employee's responsibilities, the job description will be changed in consultation with the employee and the Human Resources Management Group.