The Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) Working Group of the Arctic Council is seeking a candidate for the position of Executive Secretary for the CAFF International Secretariat located in Akureyri, Iceland.
Arctic Council and CAFF
The Arctic Council is the primary intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among Arctic States, Indigenous communities, and peoples on issues of common importance. CAFF is one of six Arctic Council working groups and is tasked with cooperating on species and habitat management and utilization, to share information on management techniques and regulatory regimes, and to facilitate more knowledgeable decision-making. It provides a mechanism to develop common responses on issues of importance for the Arctic ecosystem such as development and economic pressures, conservation opportunities and political commitments.
Work description
The Executive Secretary’s role – working under direction from the CAFF Chair
– is to support the CAFF working group in fulfilling the above mandate by:
• Managing the staff of the CAFF Secretariat, the finances associated with the Secretariat and projects carried out by CAFF;
• Sourcing resources and funding to support CAFF activities;
• Representing CAFF at meetings, conferences and in project committees;
• Supporting development and implementation of CAFF and Arctic Council strategies;
• Organizing meetings and project activities, drafting reports, disseminating official communications, distributing documents, coordinating working group’s activities, managing the CAFF website including the Arctic Biodiversity Service (ABDS);
• Communicating with Arctic Council Member States, Permanent Participants, Observers and collaborators;
• Coordinating collaboration and communication between CAFF, the Arctic Council Secretariat, other Arctic Council Working Groups, and partners;
• Performing any other tasks assigned by the CAFF Chair.
Requirements
The position is located at the CAFF Secretariat in Akureyri, Iceland. Applications for this position must meet the following requirements:
• Administrative and managerial experience including budgetary and staff management.
• Ability to work independently and with a team where strict deadlines are important.
• Ability to travel internationally (regularly through the year).
• Master’s degree or equivalent in biology, environmental sciences or equivalent.
• Experience in international inter-governmental and scientific cooperation.
• In depth knowledge about Arctic biodiversity, environment, Indigenous Peoples and stakeholder issues, and the Circumpolar Norths.
• Fluency in oral and written English.
The Executive Secretary will initially be employed for 4 years with a potential further 4-year’s extension of employment. There will be a probationary period of 6 months. Expected starting date is as soon as possible in autumn 2023, with the understanding that allowances may need to be made for fulfilling requirements to current employers. Salary will be commensurate with experience and relocation costs covered.
Applications should consist of a CV, at least two professional and personal references and a short cover letter which summarizes your background, statement of interests and professional/personal skills. The application package must be emailed to: CAFF International Secretariat, c/o Olga Palsdóttir olga EP_AT caff EP_DOT is.
Application deadline is midnight (GMT) July 1, 2023.
For further information please contact Olga Palsdóttir olga EP_AT caff EP_DOT is. It is recommended that interested applicants visit the CAFF website (www.caff.is) and the website for the Arctic Council (www.arctic-council.org). Further information about Akureyri can be found at www.akureyri.is.
More info: CAFF