Prácticas de conservación de biodiversidad de reptiles en la IUCN

Intern - Global Reptile Assessment (GRA)

Vacancy #: 2637
Unit: Global Species & Key Biodiversity Areas Programme
Organization: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Location: IUCN Washington DC Office, Washington D.C., United States of America
Reporting to: Manager, Biodiversity Assessment Unit
Work percentage: 100%
Function group: -
Expected start date: 01 December 2017
Type of contract: Fixed-term (3 months)
Closing date: 15 October 2017


BACKGROUND


The IUCN-Conservation International (CI) Biodiversity Assessmemt Unit (BAU) was established in 2000 and has been instrumental in implementing and pioneering a number of global IUCN Red List conservation assessments for ~20,000 species of amphibians, mammals, fishes, invertebrates and plants. The Unit is currently leading the Global Reptile Assessment (GRA).

A short-term internship is available to join the small team preparing standardized IUCN Red List extinction risk assessments as part of an ongoing review (2016-17) of the conservation status of reptiles. Beginning on December 1st 2017 and lasting three months in total, the intern will support work underway to assess the conservation status of reptiles recorded from across several the target regions (e.g. southern and central Africa).

The internship represents a good opportunity to gain helpful experience in international conservation, and will be of particular help in developing a career in this field.

The intern will receive a supporting US$1,000 per month for the three month total period. Positions are based in Washington DC, and no additional expenses (e.g. travel/relocation) will be supported through the internship.

Oversight of the internships will be undertaken by the IUCN-CI BAU Manager based in Washington DC (or through other experienced IUCN staff.



JOB DESCRIPTION


• The intern will assist current staff in identifying and extracting standardised data from field guides and academic literature on individual species’ distribution, population status, natural history and threatening processes.
• All information will be included in IUCN’s Species Information Service (SIS) database, for which training will be provided (including completion of the following course: http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/red-list-training/online-training)
• The intern will assist with the preparation of GIS polygon maps for the species of interest.
• There will be some opportunity to liaise with specialists (mainly authors of academic papers) as necessary to follow up on issues that may be uncertain from text or maps.
• The intern will provide additional support for the ongoing Global Reptile Assessment work as requested.



REQUIREMENTS

• A basic understanding of ecological science and taxonomy is desirable; familiarity with scientific writing will be helpful

• Good general knowledge of global geography will be helpful; knowledge of herpetology will be particularly well-regarded

• Some general skill in the use of producing GIS polygon maps is desirable, with training provided in standardized mapping procedures

• Good attention to detail is needed

• The intern must be able to work from Washington DC

• The intern will be a US citizen, or will have permission (such as through an existing US visa) to be able to work in the USA

• Language skills, especially strong French skills, will be particularly well-regarded

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: http://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/

About IUCN

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 1,300 Member organisations and some 15,000 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.

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