Senior Programme Officer – Finance and Nature

The International Union for Conservation of IUCN seeks a Senior Programme Officer in Gland to lead technical efforts on IUCN RHINO adoption within the financial sector and evaluate biodiversity credit schemes.

This position provides scientific and technical leadership to drive the adoption of IUCN RHINO among financial and insurance entities. The role focuses on ensuring that emerging biodiversity credit frameworks deliver credible, measurable outcomes that align with the organization’s programme targets and contribute significantly to nature conservation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical development and implementation of IUCN RHINO, specifically targeting financial and insurance companies via the Investor Impact Track.
• Assess new credit frameworks to guarantee they utilize robust metrics that yield significant biodiversity benefits.
• Create and back private-sector proposals that apply IUCN’s expertise to achieve Nature Positive results.
• Assist with IUCN Resolutions and Recommendations concerning the regulation of financing mechanisms tied to biodiversity certificates.
• Advocate for the adoption of IUCN metrics and tools to ensure measurable environmental outcomes.
• Deliver technical assistance and capacity-building support to private-sector partners.
• Manage projects to ensure timely delivery in compliance with annual workplans and organizational standards.
• Optimize the use of financial, human, and technical resources according to project management guidelines.
• Collaborate with internal project teams to coordinate joint implementation efforts.
• Oversee consultants to ensure their work meets IUCN standards and is implemented effectively.
• Enhance visibility of results through communications, events, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
• Expand the organization’s influence in private-sector engagement by developing new training programmes.
• Attend relevant meetings, conferences, and platforms to support the work program.
• Foster partnerships, aid fundraising activities, and represent the organization at key forums.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Sustainability Management, Sustainable Finance, Conservation Biology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources Management, Economics, or a related discipline.
• At least 8–10 years of professional experience, including a minimum of 5 years in industry (such as finance) or consulting focused on biodiversity.
• Deep expertise in biodiversity credits and offsets, including a thorough understanding of platform strengths, weaknesses, and focal areas.
• Strong technical knowledge of IUCN standards, tools, and metrics (specifically IUCN RHINO, STAR, and IBAT) or equivalent scientifically recognized alternatives.
• Practical experience with biodiversity disclosure frameworks (e.g., TNFD, CSRD, ESRS, SBTN, GRI, EUDR), ESG principles, impact investing, and sustainable finance.

About the company

The International Union for Conservation of IUCN is dedicated to biodiversity conservation and achieving nature-positive outcomes through the advancement of sustainable finance practices.

• Commitment to biodiversity conservation and nature-positive results.
• Focus on integrating sustainable finance into conservation efforts.