Senior Project Officer - Convenings

The International Union for Conservation of Nature seeks a Senior Project Officer to lead the operational design and execution of large-scale international convenings in Gland, Switzerland.

This position is responsible for coordinating and guiding the planning and development of operations for IUCN’s major international events. Reporting to the Director of the Global Convenings and Events Unit, the role ensures that logistical arrangements are delivered effectively, supporting the organization's mission to unite diverse leaders for conservation and governance strategies.

Responsibilities

• Define technical specifications for procuring and implementing solutions for events hosting between 1,000 and 6,000 attendees.
• Work with the IT department to integrate event applications and ensure they connect smoothly with internal systems.
• Partner with Professional Conference Organisers (PCOs) and other vendors to manage registration and exhibition services.
• Liaise with PCOs and service providers to coordinate interpretation, translation, and IT support needs.
• Recruit, supervise, and manage two direct reports involved in logistical execution.
• Establish, monitor, and resolve operational issues on-site, collaborating with host country teams.
• Oversee quality control and timely delivery of all arrangements before and during events, including subcontractor performance.
• Coordinate with staff to ensure their conference needs are met efficiently.
• Prepare for and attend planning meetings and site visits.
• Contribute to post-event evaluations and lessons-learned reports to ensure proper follow-up.
• Provide additional support to the Director of Global Convenings and Events as needed.

Requirements

• Experience in managing logistical arrangements for large-scale events.
• Familiarity with IT applications and web apps used in event management.
• Strong background in event planning and coordination.
• Ability to conduct and prepare for site visits.

About the company

The International Union for Conservation of Nature brings together leaders from governments, civil society, Indigenous Peoples, and the private sector. The organization focuses on developing strategies for area-based conservation, climate resilience, and equitable governance.

• Collaborative approach uniting diverse sectors for conservation goals.
• Focus on climate resilience and equitable governance.
• Commitment to area-based conservation strategies.