Project Officer, Protected and Conserved Areas (PCA)

Overview

Project Officer, Protected and Conserved Areas (PCA) Jobs in Malé, Maldives at IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law

Title: Project Officer, Protected and Conserved Areas (PCA)

Company: IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law

Location: Malé, Maldives

Responsibilities And Duties

The Project Officer, Protected and Conserved Areas (PCA) will provide technical and operational support to conservation initiatives under IUCN Maldives Programme, working closely with government counterparts, implementing partners, and communities to support effective project delivery. The position will contribute to Improved Biodiversity Management to support a Blue Economy in the Maldives Project funded by the European Union.

• Technical Support
• Provide technical support to the implementation of activities related to Protected and Conserved Areas (PCAs).
• Assist in the collection, organisation, and preliminary analysis of ecological, spatial, and socio-economic data related to PCAs.
• Support spatial and socio-ecological analyses to inform site selection, boundary refinement, zoning, connectivity, and threat assessments.
• Assist in the integration of data into decision-making processes, including the preparation of technical reports, and maps.
• Support the application of relevant IUCN global tools and approaches, such as Green List, OECMs, management effectiveness assessments, and Nature-based Solutions, as relevant to project activities.
• Protected and Conserved Areas – Stakeholder Engagement and Socio-Economic Analysis
• Assist in organising, facilitating, and documenting stakeholder consultations at national, atoll, and island levels related to PCA planning and management.
• Support socio-economic assessments, including livelihood analyses, resource-use studies, and social impact considerations associated with PCA designation and management.
• Contribute to the integration of community knowledge, traditional practices, and local priorities into PCA planning and decision-making processes.
• Support coordination with government agencies, local councils, community groups, civil society organisations, and the private sector to promote inclusive and participatory conservation approaches.
• Project Management and Implementation Support
• Provide day-to-day technical and operational support to PCA-related project activities to ensure timely delivery of agreed outputs and outcomes.
• Contribute to the preparation and implementation of annual workplans, ensuring alignment with programme objectives, donor requirements, and national policy frameworks.
• Support activity-based budgeting, financial planning, and tracking by providing technical inputs and cost estimates.
• Assist in preparing draft terms of reference for consultants and service providers and support technical review and quality assurance of deliverables.
• Support to Communication, and Knowledge Management
• Provide support to thematic technical inputs to reports, policy briefs, guidance notes, and knowledge products related to Protected and Conserved Areas.
• Support project advocacy and visibility by providing thematic technical content to meetings, workshops, trainings, and other outreach events, as assigned.
• Support to Project Development and Fundraising
• Assist with technical inputs related to Protected and Conserved Areas, spatial planning, and community-based conservation to support project concept development and proposal writing.
• Support identification of emerging priorities, funding opportunities, and partnerships relevant to PCA work in the Maldives.
• Undertake any other tasks that may be assigned and mutually agreed upon with the line manager.

REQUIREMENTS

• Competencies
• Sound technical understanding of marine and coastal conservation principles, with the ability to apply established knowledge under supervision.
• Ability to support implementation of conservation projects involving multiple stakeholders, including government institutions, NGOs, and community partners.
• Strong organisational and coordination skills, with the ability to manage field activities, logistics, and technical inputs efficiently.
• Good analytical skills, including the ability to organise, interpret, and summarise ecological and socio-economic data for reporting purposes.
• Strong drafting and reporting skills, with the ability to contribute to technical reports and project documentation.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, including timely and professional written and verbal communication.
• Ability to work independently on assigned tasks and to take initiative within defined responsibilities.
• Willingness and ability to work flexible hours, including field-based work in remote locations.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in marine biology, Marine Science, Biodiversity Conservation, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Fisheries, Social Sciences or a closely related discipline.

Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in biodiversity conservation, protected area management, marine or coastal management, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience or strong interest in Protected and Conserved Areas, spatial planning, or community-based conservation.
• Experience supporting stakeholder consultations, socio-economic assessments, or participatory processes is an asset.
• Experience in preparing technical inputs, data summaries, and project-related reports.
• Prior experience working in donor-funded or internationally funded projects is an advantage.

Language

• Fluency in spoken and written English.
• Fluency in spoken and written Dhivehi.

Computer and Technical Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Experience with data management and basic data analysis tools; familiarity with ecological or statistical software and spatial software (e.g. CPCe, R, ArcGIS or similar) is an advantage.
• Ability to use web-based platforms and databases for data management and reporting.

Additional Requirements

• This position is open to Maldivian nationals only. SALARYThe minimum gross annual salary for this position is MVR 297’200. 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/