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. To make a global
difference and ensure sustainable wetland management across land and seascapes, we inspire and
mobilise society to act and influence levers of change.

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 rapidly 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. On the ground we implement projects that
are pioneering the flyway and swimway approaches to the conservation of migratory birds and fish..
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. At a global level you will strengthen and expand our global waterbird monitoring work
and help expand our advocacy on biodiversity conservation and restoration. For priority geographies
you will expand our portfolio of dedicated biodiversity programmes, while integrating biodiversity in
our broader programming. You will do so in close collaboration with our network of offices and with
strategic partners.

Job offer

• Full time (36 hours – 5 days per week).
• We offer a competitive salary
• Contract duration: One year, with expectation of extension.
• Location: Global Office in Ede-Wageningen, the Netherlands.

Responsibilities

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

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

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
• Develop and manage a small team of professionals and supervise a portfolio of biodiversity projects.
• Mobilise and nurture relevant strategic alliances, partners, and experts, and represent Wetlands International in relevant forums and networks.
• Spearhead 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.

Your profile

You are a passionate and strategic biodiversity authority. In your work, you adopt a science-based and participative approach. You bring significant practical understanding on biodiversity conservation and have a successful programme development and fundraising track record. You believe in the power of teamwork and invest in knowledge sharing and development of your peers.

Education, skills, and experience

• MSc degree or PhD in a relevant scientific discipline
• 10 years’ relevant experience with a successful track record working with dispersed teams and diverse partners
• Knowledge of key issues, debates, trends, and key global processes related to biodiversity in particularly waterbirds and freshwater fish in wetland landscapes, and nature-based solutions
• Significant programme development, project management, and fundraising skills and experience
• Strong willingness and ability to learn, share and innovate; proven ability to mobilise ideas through developing and coordinating teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Experience working abroad in diverse cultural settings, and willingness to travel when necessary

How to apply

Please send your CV and motivation letter no later than 4th June 2024 to Jozefa van der Veen, HR Officer: [email protected] with “Application: Biodiversity Lead” in the subject line. First round video call interviews will take place the week of the 24th of June 2024; second round the first week of July 2024 (in person).