[PCA] JOB: TRAFFIC Medicinal Plants Programme Officer South-East Europe (Budapest, Hungary)

[Olivia Kwong]

TRAFFIC INTERNATIONAL VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

TITLE: Medicinal Plants Programme Officer South-East Europe
LOCATION: The position will be based at the TRAFFIC office in Budapest, 
Hungary.
DURATION: Fixed term to 30.06.2009
SALARY RANGE: EUR 10 000 to EUR 14 500 (gross per annum)


CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS:  5 March 2008


TRAFFIC is seeking a Programme Officer for its medicinal plants programme 
to coordinate and support the development of medicinal plant networks and 
implementation of the International Standard for Sustainable Wild 
Collection of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (ISSC-MAP) in selected 
countries in the South-East European region. The position will be based in 
Budapest where TRAFFIC's Central Eastern Europe sub-regional office is 
hosted by WWF Hungary.  The medicinal plants programme officer will report 
to the ISSC-MAP Secretariat, based at TRAFFIC Europe - Germany.


BACKGROUND

TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, works to ensure that trade 
in wild animals and plants is not a threat to the conservation of nature. 
TRAFFIC actively monitors and investigates wildlife trade and provides 
information to diverse audiences worldwide as a basis for effective 
conservation policies and programmes. The organisation was founded in 1976 
and has grown into an international network, with 22 offices worldwide, 
organised in eight regional programmes. TRAFFIC is a joint programme of 
WWF, the conservation organisation and IUCN-The World Conservation Union.

Medicinal and aromatic plants are an important resource for humanity. 
Unsustainable wild collection threatens the survival of many of these 
species. The process to elaborate an International Standard for 
Sustainable Wild Collection of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (ISSC-MAP), 
started in 2004, and is a joint initiative of the German Federal Agency 
for Nature Conservation (BfN), the IUCN Medicinal Plant Specialist Group 
(MPSG), WWF Germany and TRAFFIC. This standard bridges the gap between 
existing broad conservation guidelines and management plans developed for 
specific local conditions.


DUTIES

This is a full-time fixed term position, the characteristic duties of 
which include:
1. Co-ordination and support of the development of medicinal plant 
networks and implementation of the International Standard for Sustainable 
Wild Collection of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (ISSC-MAP) in selected 
countries in the South-East European region;
2. Assisting with on-going development of TRAFFIC's medicinal plants 
programme;
3. Assisting with advocacy activities for TRAFFIC's medicinal plants 
programme;
4. Co-ordination with the ISSC-MAP Secretariat and Decision Group and 
other partners involved in the international implementation of the 
ISSC-MAP.


Specific duties:

The position will assist the ISSC-MAP Secretariat in implementing ISSC-MAP 
through activities including the following:
1. Selection of 2-3 key target countries to be covered under this 
position together with the ISSC-MAP Secretariat
2. Identification of key players as potential partners in the selected 
countries in the medicinal and aromatic plant sector, including:
- Collection enterprises
- Businesses and traders
- Relevant government authorities
- Scientists, Universities
- Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs)
- Certification bodies
- Relevant initiatives in the wild collection/organic/fair trade sector
3. Ensuring close information exchange with the existing ISSC-MAP 
model project in the SEE region. Exploring potential links and mutual 
benefits between the project and advocacy activities on a higher level.
4. Exploring the potential for and establishing partnerships to 
implement ISSC-MAP with key players through
a. Advocacy/promotion activities
b. Participation in conferences/meetings relevant for ISSC-MAP
5. Disseminating information on ISSC-MAP and raising awareness among 
key partners (e.g. through convening meetings, workshops, ISSC-MAP 
training to interested stakeholder groups / projects  and through the 
media)
6. Information exchange with the ISSC-MAP Secretariat
a. Continuous feedback to ISSC-MAP Secretariat and Decision Group on 
project proceedings
7. Fundraising for long term ISSC-MAP implementation in the region, through
a. Identification of potential fundraising options
b. Development of funding proposals, where appropriate, with partners


REQUIREMENTS

Master's degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field such as 
natural resources management, biological sciences, or similar. Experience 
with the private sector (non-timber forest products, organic products, 
herbal and botanical products, label schemes) and good knowledge of the 
medicinal plants sector and trade in the region. The candidate is expected 
to have fluent English skills and good facilitation skills. Ability to 
travel domestically and internationally.

SUPERVISION: Assists the ISSC-MAP Secretariat in the supervision of 
project staff and consultants, as required.

APPLICATIONS

Applicants are asked to submit their CV and a covering letter in English. 
The letter must specifically address the job requirements in the order 
presented above.  Applicants should further provide the names/contact 
details of three referees, including one recent employer.

Applications should be submitted, preferably by email, with the subject 
header "Job Application: Medicinal Plants Officer South-East Europe", by 5 
March 2008 to:

The Executive Director
TRAFFIC International
219a Huntingdon Road
Cambridge CB3 0DL
UK
E-mail: traffic at traffic.org
Fax: +44-1223-277237
For further information about TRAFFIC visit our website at 
http://www.traffic.org.

TRAFFIC International co-ordinates the worldwide TRAFFIC Network which is 
a joint programme of WWF -- World Wide Fund for Nature and IUCN -- The 
World Conservation Union, established to monitor trade in wild  plants and 
animals.  TRAFFIC works in co-operation with the CITES Secretariat.

Charity Registration Number:1076722