Head, Red List Unit

About the role

The Head of the Red List Unit oversees the production and maintenance of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, ensuring its scientific rigour and integrity and that assessments do not pose a reputational risk to IUCN. The role is the key focal point for all Red List matters and responds to requests from the Director General's Office, the Deputy Director General, the Director of Communications, the Global Communications Team and IUCN Regional Directors. It reports to the Director, Biodiversity Assessment and Knowledge, is based in the Cambridge office, is a full-time (100%) indefinite contract at grade M1, with an expected start date of 1 March 2027.

Key responsibilities

• Maintain the integrity of the Red List: supervise and train staff, review high-profile or controversial assessments, ensure compliance with Red List and Green Status protocols, and oversee ethics and compliance processes including petitions and conflicts of interest.
• Manage the publication processes: keep the Red List updated on the web, work with software developers and data engineers, and liaise with the Conservation Informatics Managers on the SIS database and the Red List website.
• Promote communication of Red List information: act as a lead IUCN spokesperson at media events, authorise use of the Red List brand, and lead or assist in producing global analyses and scientific publications.
• Manage the unit: line manage staff, prepare annual budgets and financial reviews, identify funding sources, and oversee project management and reporting.
• Represent IUCN in Red List governance, advise senior leadership, and support the duty station head in the David Attenborough Building.

Required profile

• PhD in environmental sciences or a related subject (or equivalent experience).
• At least ten years of experience, particularly in Red List assessments and international species conservation policy.
• Experience in international training programmes and in preparing funding proposals.
• Very good command of English, preferably also Spanish and/or French.
• Willingness to travel and to work under pressure.

Required skills

• In-depth understanding of Red List and Green Status methodology, and a grounding in conservation biology and taxonomy.
• Technical experience in data collection, management and analysis.
• Familiarity with ArcGIS and/or ArcPro, and cloud systems such as PostgreSQL, Ruby on Rails and GitHub.
• Leadership, managerial and facilitation skills, and excellent written and oral communication.

Applications are made online through the IUCN HR system via the vacancy announcement; the closing date is 6 November 2026. The minimum gross annual salary is GBP 64,928.