The Governance Unit supports the IUCN Council, Bureau, Council Standing Committees and the President in the exercise of their functions under the IUCN Statutes, Regulations and Rules of Procedure. The Unit supports the effective organisation of governance processes, the timely preparation and follow-up of decisions, and the maintenance of accurate records and governance documentation.

Under the supervision of the Senior Governance Manager – Secretary to Council, the Governance Officer provides professional, coordination, drafting and administrative support for the planning, preparation and follow-up of governance processes. The role supports assigned aspects of Council, Bureau, Standing Committee and related governance workflows, with a particular focus on documentation, meeting coordination, record-keeping, decision tracking, subsidiary-body support and selected governance-related correspondence. The position requires accuracy, discretion, service orientation and the ability to work under tight deadlines. The role requires occasional travel.

1. Governance meeting preparation and delivery

Support assigned aspects of the preparation and delivery of meetings of the Council, Bureau, Council Standing Committees and related subsidiary bodies, under the supervision of the Senior Governance Manager – Secretary to Council.
Prepare and review agendas, annotated agendas, draft decisions, decision sheets, presentations and related governance documentation.
Undertake quality control of documentation before circulation, including consistency, completeness, formatting and clearance status.
Support online, hybrid and in-person meetings, including documentation, participant coordination, speaking lists and real-time consolidation of draft decisions or meeting outputs.
Support governance-related preparations for the World Conservation Congress and Members’ Assembly, particularly where these relate to Council responsibilities.

2. Records, decisions and follow-up

Prepare first drafts of summary records, minutes, outcome documents and post-meeting communications for review and finalisation by the Senior Governance Manager – Secretary to Council.
Maintain decision registers, implementation trackers and governance records, and follow up with relevant units on deadlines and status updates.
Support the preparation of reports and updates on the implementation of Council, Bureau and Committee decisions.

3. Support to Standing Committees and subsidiary bodies

Support the coordination of calendars, workplans, documentation and outputs for Council Standing Committees, working groups and other subsidiary bodies.
Assist Secretariat focal points and Committee Chairs with meeting preparation, materials and outputs for Council consideration.
Prepare briefing notes, background summaries, factual inputs and research on governance-related matters, as requested.

4. President and leadership support

Support the preparation of governance-related briefing materials, speaking notes and correspondence for the President and Council leadership, under the guidance of the Senior Governance Manager – Secretary to Council.
Support the tracking and organisation of selected correspondence addressed to or issued by the President.

5. Administrative, document-management and budget support

Support the circulation, formatting, publication and filing of governance documents in accordance with applicable internal procedures.
Assist with meeting administration, contact lists, invitations, logistical information and liaison with service providers.
Assist the Senior Governance Manager in tracking Governance Unit and Council-related budget matters and flag administrative, financial or procedural issues requiring follow-up.
Contribute to improving governance templates, filing systems, trackers and workflows.

6. Other duties

Carry out other duties consistent with the role and grade, as requested.

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/