The International Union for Conservation of Nature (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.
Major Responsibilities
As the regional lead for planning, monitoring and evaluation work, this position has overall responsibility for the MEL function in the region and the quality of MEL outputs in the regional portfolio. The Coordinator will participate in the region’s management team to contribute to steering the performance and assurance of the programme and portfolio of projects implemented in the region and ensuring quality in the design and development of the portfolio.
He/she will also lead the regional implementation of institutional MEL policies, practices and systems in the region. As a focal point for the PPME function, this position is expected to liaise with the global PPME Unit (and regional leads in portfolio/programme management, HR, Finance, Legal, and IT) to collaboratively build the Secretariat’s MEL capabilities in the region with regards to relevant policies, processes, practices and systems.
This position provides subject matter expertise in MEL to support programme and projects implemented in the region from design to closure. She/he will provide functional line management to MEL officers, contribute to the recruitment, onboarding and training of MEL officers, and will manage project evaluations. This position will report to and work closely with the Regional Director and will support the development and implementation of the regional portfolio of projects.
Specific Duties
Regional Portfolio Performance Management
Lead, coordinate and assure the performance management functions in the region, specifically:
- Coordinate regional input from project and programme managers to institutional Annual Cycle of planning, monitoring and reporting.
- Develop and implement regional performance measurement framework, aligned to Secretariat performance framework.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of regional performance criteria to steer a strategic and effective portfolio (pipeline management).
- Track, monitor and evaluate regional project portfolio implementation in the IUCN Programme and Project Portal and through tools like Smartsheet.
Evaluation and Learning
- Develop and ensure adequacy of regional evaluation framework in consultation with the Regional Programme Coordinator.
- Support project and programme evaluations, including advising on evaluation ToRs and evaluation management, and ensuring projects comply with the IUCN Monitoring and Evaluation Policy.
- Facilitate learning across the portfolio by applying international best practices to enable adaptive management and organisational learning.
- Support resource mobilization efforts for MEL in the region, providing expertise on requirements and ensuring projects are designed with performance frameworks and appropriate budgets.
Institutional Performance Management Standards
In collaboration with the IPME Unit at Headquarters, implement Secretariat MEL policies including:
- Institutional annual cycle (planning, monitoring and reporting).
- Project Guidelines and Standards (PGS) and Project Appraisal and Approval System (PAAS).
- Programme and Project Portal data forms and workflows.
- Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) quality assurance.
- Briefing, training, and coaching project managers and MEL officers to effectively implement policies.
Project Assurance
- Manage evaluations for projects, facilitating feedback on draft reports and preparation of management responses.
- Lead and participate in project supervision missions.
- Advocate for and facilitate the proactive use of MEL information in decision-making.
Supervise and Build Capacity for Project MEL
- Coordinate and ensure consistent application of institutional project management standards.
- Contribute to recruitment and onboarding of new project MEL officers.
- Provide direct reporting line management to project MEL officers.
- Brief, train and coach project staff on MEL components (Theory of Change, Results Frameworks, Logframes).
Requirements
- Master’s degree or higher in environmental studies, biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, planning, management or social sciences, economics, public policy, management engineering, or business administration.
- At least 8 years of experience in programme and project performance management, with specific experience in MEL of at least 5 years.
- Proven experience with the implementation of institutional performance and assurance approaches and systems.
- Knowledge of the application of environmental and social safeguards.
- Demonstrated experience in results measurement methods and management in conservation, development or other relevant sectors.
- Demonstrated experience designing, implementing and managing complex, multi-country, and multi-partner projects in the region.
- Experience with leading bilateral and multilateral donor funded projects is an asset.
- Excellent organization and communication skills with a proven ability to engage across levels of an organization.
- Experience with change management and building a culture of accountability and learning.
- Excellent group facilitation skills.
- Ability to deliver analytical reports to facilitate management decision-making.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should visit the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) application portal at hrms.iucn.org to submit their application. The deadline for applications is April 3, 2026.
