WCMC is a UK charity which promotes the conservation, protection, enhancement and support of nature and natural resources worldwide. It does this by collecting, storing, analysing, interpreting and sharing data and knowledge to further understanding of biodiversity and the conservation of nature. WCMC believes that good data and knowledge are the foundations of informed decision-making.

WCMC operates in a collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) within the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), based in Cambridge, UK. It works at the interface of science, policy, and practice to tackle the global crisis facing nature and support the transition to a sustainable future for people and the planet. With its cutting-edge science, data and insights informing policy and business decisions worldwide, WCMC brings together and supports governments, businesses, research bodies, and more to put nature at the heart of decision-making.

In the last five years, WCMC has grown its influence and impact and currently has over 200 staff and annual income of over £16m. With the launch of a new four-year strategy in 2022, it has a clear focus on creating the kind of transformative and systemic changes required to achieve a vision of a world living in harmony with nature. The Centre's varied work includes:

• Protected Planet Initiative - the authoritative source of global data and knowledge on protected and conserved areas. It provides the basis for monitoring and reporting on progress towards international environmental targets such as the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals
• UN Biodiversity Lab - a platform supporting country-led efforts to use spatial data and analytic tools to generate insight and impact for conservation and sustainable development. With over 400 of the world’s best data layers on nature, climate change, and sustainable development, it enables policymakers and other stakeholders to use spatial data to take action for people and planet
• Species+ - a website designed to assist the implementation of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) and other multilateral environmental agreements. It provides a centralised portal for accessing key information on species of global concern

WCMC will continue to play a central role in helping governments monitor the delivery of their commitments, and the need for joined-up action on nature and climate to maximise opportunities for integrated, state-level planning which effectively protects and restores nature.

The Board of WCMC works together to enable the organisation to meet its aims. This includes:

• Setting and maintaining WCMC's vision, mission and values
• Developing direction, strategy and planning
• Ensuring that WCMC has the structure and resources for its work
• Satisfying themselves that there are appropriate policies and procedures to govern organisational activities
• Establishing systems for reporting and monitoring
• Managing risk and ensuring compliance and accountability with the governing document, external regulators and the law
• Making certain that the financial affairs of the organisation are conducted properly and are accurately reported
• Ensuring that the relationship with UNEP prospers and is of mutual benefit to each organisation

Trustee (People)

WCMC is looking for a new Trustee with expertise in employment or human resources issues, to ensure that it continues to effectively manage a talented, international team in support of its important work.

While most of the charity's staff are based in the UK, it has also a small presence in Belgium and China. Applicants will have a background in an international and commercial setting, and will bring a strong understanding of how organisations operate from a people perspective. They will be able to advise on up-to-date workplace practices, employee relations and talent management. This could perhaps have been gained as an employment lawyer or from other leadership positions within human resources. Experience of international safeguarding would also be useful.

Trustee (Digital)

WCMC is looking for a new Trustee who can advise on digital strategy, particularly around data and information management, which is central to its work.

Given the digital transformation which WCMC is going through itself as an organisation, as well as the world-leading platforms and databases which it manages, it is keen to hear from those with a background of driving digital strategy. Specific experience in digitising or administering large datasets would be welcome, but is not essential.

Above all, the successful candidates will have a strong commitment to the conservation and restoration of nature.

Dr Robin Bidwell CBE, Chair
Professor Bill Adams
Alasdair Poore
Andrew Powell, Treasurer
Idunn Eidheim
Charlotte Wolff-Bye
Jim Sloane
Dr Mette Løyche-Wilkie
Professor Bhaskar Vira
UNEP (Observer)

You can find out more about the Board here.

This role is unremunerated, but reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses (included international, if needed) will be reimbursed.

The Board meets three times per year (usually in April, July, November) for half a day, with a Board away day in January; it is hoped that Trustees will attend at least half of these in person. There is potential for this Trustee to join one of the Board's Committees, which include Finance (four times per year), Audit and Risk (three times per year), and Remuneration Committee (once per year), which are held virtually.

The appointment is for a three-year term, which can be renewed twice at the discretion of the Board.

Location

This organisation is based in Cambridge, UK and at least half of Board meetings will take place in person. Candidates will therefore be based in Europe, and willing to travel to Cambridge at least two times per year.