Senior Programme Officer - Forest and Grasslands

About the role

IUCN is hiring a Senior Programme Officer (Grade P2, 100%, fixed-term up to 24 months) for its Forest and Grasslands team, based at the North America Regional Office in Washington D.C. with Bonn, Germany as an alternative duty station. Reporting to the Head of the Forest and Grassland Team, the officer provides technical expertise, project management and implementation oversight across ecosystem restoration, forest and grassland conservation, drylands, rangelands and sustainable land management, with emphasis on land degradation, soil health, biodiversity and climate adaptation. The expected start date is 15 December 2026.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee assigned projects and workstreams on restoration, drylands, rangelands and grasslands, providing technical guidance on planning, implementation and monitoring, and applying IUCN tools such as ROAM and the Restoration Barometer
• Lead or support the technical implementation of projects, including GEF-financed ones, and coordinate workplans, budgets, reports and compliance with donor requirements
• Integrate environmental and social safeguards, gender equality and the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities into projects
• Develop and fundraise for new projects and programmes, preparing technical concepts, proposals, results frameworks and budgets for donors such as the GEF, GCF and bilateral partners
• Engage with governments, UN agencies, research institutions and civil society, and represent the team at technical meetings and policy dialogues

Required profile

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in ecology, forestry, natural resource management, environmental sciences, rangeland or land management, or a related field; PhD an advantage
• Minimum 6-8 years of relevant professional experience, including at least four years in project implementation or technical coordination
• Demonstrated experience with donor-funded or multilateral fund projects; direct GEF project experience is highly desirable
• Experience working with government institutions, development partners and local stakeholders, preferably in developing countries

Required skills

• Strong technical and analytical skills, with excellent project management, planning and writing skills
• Excellent written and spoken English; working knowledge of French or Spanish highly desirable
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary, multicultural teams and to undertake international travel

The gross annual salary is between USD 99,160 and USD 123,950. Applications are made online through the IUCN HR system before the closing date of 9 November 2026.