Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Assistant for the Project “Strengthening Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) Policies and Institutional Frameworks through Demonstrable Models in Saint Lucia”

IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa • Full-time • Castries, LC • 14h ago

Vacancy #: 7601 Unit: Biodiversity and Rights (OR) Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Location: Saint Lucia, Castries, Saint Lucia Reporting to: Project Coordinator: Strengthening access and benefit-sharing (ABS) policies and institutional frameworks through demonstrable models in Saint Lucia Work percentage: 100% Grade: A3 Expected start date: 25 May 2026 Type of contract: Indefinite Closing date: 24 May 2026

BACKGROUND

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’ organizations, 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.

The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization is a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). It provides a legal framework for the effective implementation of one of the CBD’s key objectives: ensuring that benefits derived from the use of genetic resources and traditional knowledge are shared fairly and equitably with the countries and communities that provide them. The Protocol promotes legal certainty and transparency for both providers and users of genetic resources, helping to ensure that access is granted with prior informed consent and mutually agreed terms, particularly in support of indigenous peoples and local communities. Saint Lucia acceded to the Nagoya Protocol in 2022, marking a significant step toward strengthening its biodiversity governance and enabling sustainable use of its biological resources.

Saint Lucia faces ongoing challenges in protecting its biodiversity and ensuring fair access and benefit-sharing (ABS) of its biological resources. Bioprospecting remains largely unregulated, limiting the ability of local custodians to benefit from commercial use. Species like the Saint Lucia Viper and Lansan tree are increasingly threatened by human activity, climate change, and lack of proper management. While the country acceded to the Nagoya Protocol in 2022 and has begun drafting ABS legislation, more work is needed to fully implement effective, equitable frameworks to which this project plays a central role in advancing these efforts.

The project “Strengthening Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) Policies and Institutional Frameworks through Demonstrable Models in Saint Lucia” is a four-year initiative funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), aims to establish a structured ABS framework. The project is executed in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Regional Office for Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean (ORMACC) and the Department of Sustainable Development in Saint Lucia.

The primary goals of the project are to overcome the identified barriers to the creation of the needed enabling environment to pave the way for Saint Lucia to implement the Nagoya Protocol and create the avenues for effective stakeholder participation in decision making and realization of economic benefits, particularly associated with the value-added commercial applications from the use of native genetic resources.

To achieve these primary goals, the project is structured around four main components:

I. Strengthen the national policy and legislative Institutional framework for operationalization of the Nagoya Protocol for access and benefit sharing (ABS).

II. Develop an effective permitting and monitoring framework for ABS protocols in accordance with provisions of the Nagoya Protocol

III. Establish demonstrable commodity pilots to test operationalization of ABS protocols toward sustainable management and equitable benefits of genetic resources and scale-up in future commercial application.

IV. Enhance Knowledge management on ABS to support decision making, stakeholder engagement and buy-in systems

To support these efforts—particularly Component Four of the ABS Project, IUCN is hiring a dedicated Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Assistant. Under the supervision of the Project Coordinator, the Assistant will provide support to the development and implementation of the project’s communications and outreach strategy targeting policymakers, technical experts, NGOs, academic institutions, and the general public, support the analysis of the KAP survey, and contribute to the design and execution of targeted outreach activities as outlined in the project workplan. Outreach tools and materials will be developed and disseminated to foster engagement, enhance participation, and improve stakeholder understanding of the benefits and mechanisms of ABS. The aim is to raise awareness of Saint Lucia’s genetic resources, national ABS framework, and the value of traditional knowledge in benefit-sharing arrangements.

The assistant will also support visibility efforts through field documentation, media engagement, and development of communication materials. Close collaboration with other biodiversity-related projects will be essential to ensure consistent messaging, reduce stakeholder fatigue, and promote greater public understanding—particularly around sensitive pilot activities such as those involving the Saint Lucia Fer-de-Lance.

Job Description

The Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Assistant position will be supervised and will report to the project coordinator based in the Department of Sustainable Development (DSD) within the Ministry of Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training of the Government of Saint Lucia.

The Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Assistant will support the Project Team to ensure the effective execution of the communications and outreach strategy to increase awareness of genetic resources, ABS frameworks in Saint Lucia, and the role of traditional knowledge in benefit-sharing arrangements.

This support will encompass, but is not limited to, the following activities:

Prepare a comprehensive KAP survey report, analysing key findings and trends, and use the results to inform the development of a tailored Communications and Outreach Strategy for the ABS Project.
Contribute to the development and implementation of the ABS Communications and Outreach Strategy in coordination with the Project Team, ensuring gender-sensitive and inclusive approaches throughout all deliverables.
Support the Project Team and consultants in the preparation of communication materials, community outreach events, and stakeholder dialogues related to Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS).
Support the Project Team in planning and delivering of outreach activities, including but not limited to: high-level dialogues with OECS and CARICOM representatives, university engagement sessions, and community-based events with traditional knowledge holders and resource users. These activities should also highlight the ABS pilot projects—such as those involving the Saint Lucia Fer-de-Lance—to increase visibility, improve public understanding, and reduce resistance or misinformation.
Accompany the Project Team to consultations, workshops, and field activities to capture photo and video content, conduct stakeholder interviews, and document key moments for use in communication materials, reporting, and visibility efforts.
Work collaboratively with other biodiversity-related projects within the Department to ensure consistent and coordinated messaging across initiatives, reduce duplication, and improve stakeholder engagement.
Participate in regular meetings with the Project Team, consultants, and relevant ministries/partners to provide technical input, track communication deliverables, and support knowledge-sharing interventions.
Support the development and dissemination of tailored communication materials such as public service announcements, instructional videos, fact sheets, and pocket guides for students and researchers.
Coordinate with designers and vendors to ensure quality assurance in the production and timely dissemination of communication products.
Ensure translation, cultural relevance, and accessibility of communication products in both English and Kweyol, as appropriate, to effectively engage a wide range of audiences.
Promote clear, consistent communication with key national partners, ABS focal points, academic institutions, and community leaders to encourage ownership and visibility of project initiatives.
Monitor and track communication activities and stakeholder engagement efforts using agreed tools and frameworks to assess impact, reach, and inclusivity.
Maintain updated records, including communication archives, media coverage logs, stakeholder databases, and event summaries to support reporting and knowledge retention.
Compile periodic communication and engagement reports, including summary documentation for each event.
Prepare and submit a monthly communications and stakeholder engagement report to the Project Coordinator, summarizing key activities completed, outcomes, stakeholder insights, and any challenges encountered during implementation.
Undertake any other relevant tasks reasonably assigned by the Project Coordinator in support of the ABS Project’s 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.

This is a full-time position for an initial period of one year. The contract is subject to renewal based on performance and the availability of project funds.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related field, along with a working understanding of environmental issues or in the advanced stages of a university degree with at least two (2) to three (3) years.
At least 5 years of experience in communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations or related field with working understanding of environmental issues.
Experience interacting with multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, government organizations, regional bodies, and multisectoral stakeholders.
Experience in community participation and outreach, managing and curating social media accounts.
Proven experience in graphic design and audiovisual production.
Proven experience with photography and graphic design software (Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Canva, and video editing programs).
Knowledge of biodiversity is highly desirable.
Familiarity with local media, and established network of concepts with local journalists.
Excellent command of English (oral and written); proficiency in Saint Lucian Creole will be a plus.
Strong knowledge of and practical experience in a range of communications planning and implementation approaches such as, opinion research, media engagement, message targeting, and marketing communication.
Strong diplomatic, interpersonal skills and excellent team player.
Highly motivated and capable of relating and networking with a wide variety of persons from government agencies, NGOs, and community-based organizations.
Ability to meet deadlines, prioritize multiple tasks and have a drive for delivering results by applying technical expertise.

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/

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 more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 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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