Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar) is looking for a Young Professional - Technical Support (Europe)

Vacancy #: 7689

Unit: Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands

Organisation: The Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar)

Location: Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands, Gland, Switzerland

Reporting to: Senior Advisor (Europe)

Work percentage: 100%

Grade: YP

Expected start date: 01 November 2026

Type of contract: Max-term (up to 12 months with possibility of renewal)

Closing date: 09 September 2026

BACKGROUND

The Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands and 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 Secretariat of the Convention 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.

This position is part of IUCN’s Junior Professional (YP) Programme, which has specific eligibility criteria. It is offered as a one year contract, renewable only once for an additional year, and renewal is subject to performance and the availability of funds.

Applicants must meet all of the following conditions:

• Be a young professional up to 35 years old;
• Hold at minimum a Bachelor’s Degree;
• Have between 6 months and 3 years of relevant professional experience.

The Junior Professional Programme is designed to provide early-career professionals with their first international work experience. Through meaningful assignments and structured learning opportunities, participants develop the technical, organisational and intercultural competencies required to succeed in an international and multicultural work environment..

Within this framework, this Young Professional position supports the implementation of the Convention on Wetlands through a collaborative, whole-of-Secretariat approach. The role offers professional development and direct experience in:

• understanding how international legal instruments support conservation and sustainable use of natural and human-made ecosystems;
• understanding how different multilateral environmental agreements work in synergy, notably through the contribution of data and indicators for the implementation of global sustainable development programmes and goals;
• exposure to national authorities, diplomats, scientific experts and practitioners focusing on the development and implementation of international and national policies;
• experience of working in the context of a small international team supporting 172 countries that are Contracting Parties to the Convention.

JOB DESCRIPTION

1. Ramsar Site designation and information updates:

• Evaluate data sheets ("Ramsar Information Sheets") and prepare related documentation to accompany the designation process of Wetlands of International Importance (also known as Ramsar Sites) and their updates;
• Provide support to Contracting Parties to enter data in RSIS (Ramsar Sites Information Service) database for new designations and updates.

2. Ramsar Site conservation and protection:

• Assist in addressing conservation and sustainable use issues of individual wetland sites primarily in the applicable region(s) of the Convention and in particular assist with the procedure concerning adverse changes in the ecological character of Ramsar Sites (Art 3.2);
• Promote use of the mechanisms for conservation and sustainable use of wetlands that have been developed under the Convention, especially the technical guidelines related to the work on Ramsar Information Sheets, and the development of management tools.

3. Support to Contracting Parties:

• Maintain routine contacts with governments that are Contracting Parties to the Convention on Wetlands as well as non-Contracting Parties, as well as with NGOs and international partner organisations and other relevant organisations and stakeholders;
• Contribute to the preparation of regional meetings, annual meetings of the Standing Committee and the triennial Conference of the Contracting Parties.

4. Policy processes:
   Compile, analyse and draft information on technical and policy issues related to wetland conservation and sustainable use, in the context of the approved Workplan of the Secretariat, the Strategic Plan 2025-2034, the work plan of the Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP) and decisions taken by the Governing Bodies of the Convention, and support the Secretariat’s collaboration with other relevant Multilateral.

5. Project Implementation:

• Monitor project implementation and provide project oversight as assigned (where applicable);
• Ensure project reports are completed and meet grant requirements.

6. Other:
   Complete routine administrative work such as preparing correspondence, updating databases and providing translation.

The above job description contains the main duties and responsibilities for this position. However, in the Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands, 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 Human Resources.

REQUIREMENTS

• Education:
  University degree in a subject relevant to wetland conservation and sustainable use, such as geography, biology, hydrology, marine sciences, natural resources management, land use planning, economics, or anthropology/sociology.

• Experience:

• At least 6 months of relevant professional work experience in field work related to wetlands;

• Work experience or familiarity with work in the Europe region is required.

• Skills:

• Ability to work in English is essential;

• Ability to work in a second official Convention language (French or Spanish) is required;

• Well developed computer skills, and an ability to work effectively and efficiently with a proprietary database (RSIS).

• Experience with CRM platforms such as Salesforce, CiviCRM or equivalent.

• Experience working in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.

• Values:

• Demonstrated commitment to nature conservation and sustainable use.

• Awareness and understanding of cultural diversity and gender issues.

SALARY

The gross annual salary for this position is CHF 60'000. While this is an indicative amount effective as of the current date, changes may occur as per IUCN's compensation practices without prior notice. The same applies to other organisations hosted by IUCN.

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: https://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 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 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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