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.

Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and some 18,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments, and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools, and international standards.

IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples’ organisations, and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.

Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems, and improve people’s well-being.

About the Position:

Under the supervision of the Regional Director for Mexico, Central America, and Caribbean Office, the Liaison Officer will provide strategic support to the Office of the Regional Director (RD), contributing to the efficiency and effectiveness of the RD’s work. The responsibilities of this position include managing the accurate and timely flow of information with internal and external stakeholders of IUCN, coordinating the Regional Director’s daily agenda, ensuring cost-effective planning of the Regional Director’s travel and missions both within and outside the region, serving as a point of contact for specific tasks, among others.

Executive Support:

o Oversee information flow and manage the DR agenda, ensuring strategic alignment, with institutional priorities and seamless coordination with program areas and corporate services
o Coordinate with colleagues to ensure the RD is fully prepared for meetings, missions, and/or trips, by providing necessary documents and briefing materials. Keep all attendees informed about the dates of external events.
o Organize logistics, take notes and minutes of strategic meetings for the DR, and follow up the fulfilment of agreements, especially
o Review, draft and edit correspondence, emails, speeches, and other documents on behalf of the RD. Oversee and maintain the electronic folder containing documents relevant to the Regional Director’s responsibilities
o Ensure compliance with the administrative requirements of the RD, particularly by coordinating adherence to IUCN policies.
Track and monitor programmatic, administrative, and operational activities of the RD Office.

Action Plan Oversight and Reporting:

o Act as the focal point for tracking matters delegated by the RD.
o Oversee the collection of critical information on specific emerging issues delegated by the RD, while maintaining thorough oversight of all associated deadlines
o Support the preparation and follow-up of agreements from the ORMACC Executive Committee (ExCo).
o In coordination with the Membership Coordination, support the RD in the strategic operative planning and organization of the Regional Conservation Forum and other events related to strengthening the Union positioning in the region.
o In coordination with the Communications Unit and Program Management, ensure the timely preparation of the ORMACC quarterly achievements report.
o Consolidate the information on institutional performance progress following UICN tools applied from the Headquarters (scorecard).
o Coordinate and follow up meetings of the GREG (Regional Management Group)

Networking and Communication:

o Support the RD with the follow up of internal/external stakeholders, including government officials, diplomats, and organizations.
o Screen and prioritize incoming and outcoming communications, ensuring timely and appropriate responses relate to press releases, papers, presentations, document signings, and any other document or request received by the RD.
o Coordinate with IUCN ORMACC units to align activities with the Regional Director’s priorities.
o Assist the DR in the design and dissemination of internal communication, and relevant decisions and guidelines from the DGO, including logistics and content for TownHall-style meetings, internal newsletters, etc.; in coordination with the Human Resources and/or Communications
o Ensure sound communication with commission, ministries, diplomatic missions, and prominent business organizations in close coordination with the Coordination of Constituents and Official Relations
o Proactively identify institutional opportunities for IUCN ORMACC to engage with new contacts that align with objectives, provide thoughtful recommendations, and coordinate relevant meetings in consultation with RD

Event and Protocol Management:

o Coordinate and support the RD during official visits and events involving delegations, donors, and strategic partners, ensuring proper planning, execution, and adherence to diplomatic protocols.
o Liaise with protocol officers and external parties to manage guest lists, seating arrangements, and event logistics.

Confidentiality and Discretion:

o Handle sensitive information with the utmost confidentiality and professionalism.
o Maintain secure filing systems for classified and confidential documents.

Oversight of Travel arrangements:

o Oversight the logistics and required content for missions and trips of the RD, providing strategic support as needed (in person or virtually), ensuring cost-effectiveness while adhering to the IUCN Travel Policy.
o Prepare detailed travel briefs, including schedules, expenses report and key information for official visits.
o Key support for STO and BTORs drafting to reflect deliverables and adherence to IUCN ORMACC programmatic objectives.

These Terms of Reference outline the main responsibilities and duties of this position. However, in an organization like IUCN, which is constantly evolving, staff members are expected to demonstrate flexibility in their work approach and be willing to take on other tasks that may be reasonably assigned to them but are not part of their usual terms of reference. When a task becomes a regular part of a staff member’s responsibilities, the ToR should be amended in consultation between the manager, the staff member, and the Human Resources Unit. Any of the three parties may initiate the consultation.