IDDRI’s Biodiversity Programme offers a 2-year contract to contribute to research on biodiversity in ecological planning policies in Europe and on biodiversity-based development pathways in developing countries.
About IDDRI
IDDRI is a leading think tank that investigates sustainable development issues requiring global coordination, such as climate change and biodiversity loss. IDDRI’s mission is threefold: informing decisions; identifying future key issues; and providing a space for dialogue between stakeholders with often divergent interests. To fulfil this mission, IDDRI clarifies the issues, brings together the stakeholders involved, and thus facilitates a shared understanding of the problems.
In 2023, IDDRI has around 50 employees, including 30 or so multidisciplinary researchers (economists, lawyers, political scientists, geographers, etc.), and works with a large network of think tanks and partners around the world.
The Biodiversity Programme
Biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation are concrete and visible, and public opinion has been aware of it for decades. Policies to protect nature have been put in place. In December 2022, the international community adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The European and French biodiversity strategies, which echo this global framework, were published in 2021 and 2023 respectively.
IDDRI is one of the main think tanks that was involved in these negotiations at the global level, contributing through activities of analysis, proposals, and animation and facilitation of discussions to make the governance framework effective for the necessary transformations of the economic sectors responsible for biodiversity loss.
IDDRI wishes to pursue this action by supporting the implementation of the goals and targets of the CBD at the national level. More particularly, it aims to promote the uptake of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in broader policy agendas, taking into account various socio-ecological contexts:
1. Through a workstream on ecological planning in France, and how biodiversity measures are included in it. This aims in particular to look at how the subnational level can identify existing measures, and adopt new ones, to support the biodiversity agenda in its dialogue with the State, as a contribution to the national ecological planning. This territorial approach allows to take into account the specificities of the on-site ecosystems and associated issues for their protection and sustainable use. This analysis will be aligned with the goals of the National Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. It may build on case studies from other countries, especially European ones, and will consider application of the findings to the European scale.
2. Through a workstream on how a protected and sustainably used biodiversity can be the ground to build sustainable development pathways in countries of the “Global South”. The specificities of the socio-ecological systems there can offer alternative visions to the widespread approach to take biodiversity into account in policies, i.e., sectoral mainstreaming, by offering more holistic visions. IDDRI will partner with local organisations (think tanks, research centres, civil society) to study those visions, articulate them and bring them to the public debate.
Objectives and Mission
Under the supervision of the director of the Biodiversity Programme and in collaboration with the researcher on biodiversity international governance and the wider IDDRI team, the researcher will:
– Undertake analysis and research work, especially through literature reviews, data collection and surveys, on biodiversity-based development approaches, beyond conservation, in France and in Europe (e.g., through ecological planning), and in developing countries in partnership with local organisations (e.g., visions from local communities);
– Build networks of research partners in various countries, exchange with a wide range of stakeholders (public bodies, companies, civil society etc.), contribute to the dynamics of those network.
More generally, she or he will contribute to the think tank typical activities:
– Contribute to the impact strategy of the biodiversity programme
– Keep up to date with relevant research, studies, analysis, debates and policies
– Organise workshops and dialogues with decision-makers and experts
– Write reports, briefs and proposals for academia, policy and society audiences
– Contribute to operational and strategic coordination with partners
– Represent IDDRI in public activities (conferences, workshops)
– Disseminate and promote IDDRI’s work, in close collaboration with the communications team and partners
– Contribute to fundraising and reporting
– Contribute to project management
Required Qualifications
The successful candidate should have:
– A master or PhD in political science, development or environment or other disciplines relevant on biodiversity issues
– At least 3 years of experience of policy making, policy analysis or planning measures, in France and/or abroad
– A good understanding and knowledge of biodiversity governance issues
– A proven experience in the review and synthesis of complex information
– Capacity of analysis and research combining intellectual curiosity and scientific rigor
– Capacity to work independently as well as in team, in an international, multicultural environment
– Excellent writing and organisational skills
– Fluency in English and French.
The following points would be an asset for the candidate:
– Knowledge, experience and sensitivity for development issues
– Experience with a public administration in charge of biodiversity issues in a developing country
– Knowledge of a third language (Spanish, Portuguese in particular)
Contract
– Duration: 2-year contract (CDD OD in French), with a possibility of a permanent contract depending on programming and available funding
– Beginning: as soon as possible
– Yearly gross salary: 37,000 € – 41,000 € according to IDDRI HR policy, i.e., qualifications and experience.
Location: Paris office (41 rue du Four, 75006 Paris), France
Other advantages
– Homeworking flexibility (after 6 months)
– 40 days off/year
– Lunch allowance (60% paid by IDDRI)
– Transit Pass (55% paid by IDDRI)
– Health Insurance (50% paid by IDDRI)
How to apply
Applications must be sent to: lisa.dacosta@iddri.org and agnes.hallosserie@iddri.org before February 7, 2024, with the subject line “Biodiversity Application”.
Applications should include a PDF file with a cover letter and a resume (1 page max. each), a sample of a publication or deliverable authored by the candidate and the contact details of two referees.
IDDRI is an equal opportunity employer; we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
All applications will be considered. We will do our best to get back to each applicant, but due to the volume of applications, we apologize in advance if we are unable to get back to everyone.
Preselected candidates will be contacted for an interview starting from February 14.