The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) Secretariat seeks an experienced Training Officer (TO) to lead the development and implementation of training activities across the GBIF network, particularly in the emerging field of Biodiversity Informatics, including the use of modern e-techniques for distance learning. The TO will report to the Director and will work in an integrated manner across the GBIF Work Programme in collaboration with the other GBIF Programme Officers, in particular Nodes and Outreach and Capacity Building. The post offers an initial contract of up to five years, a competitive salary and benefits related to the diplomatic status of the Secretariat in Denmark.

GBIF is a growing international initiative with a current membership of 42 countries and 34 international organisations working with the overall mission of mobilising the world's primary biodiversity data via the internet. Currently the GBIF data portal allows access to more than 1000 datasets holding more than 138 million records. For detailed information on GBIF please visit www.gbif.org.

The GBIF Secretariat is located in Copenhagen, Denmark with a total staff of 19. Secretariat priorities, with the emphasis on promoting participation and working through partners, include mobilising biodiversity data, developing protocols and standards to ensure scientific integrity and interoperability, building an informatics architecture to allow the interlinking of diverse data types from disparate sources, promoting capacity building and catalyzing development of the analytical tools for improved decision-making to underpin science, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

• Lead the assessment of training needs and opportunities across the GBIF network, including the identification of key training audiences and partners;
• Develop a Training Strategy which among others will include a portfolio of training modules, designed to assist GBIF members (including Nodes and widely disparate data providers and data users) to efficiently mobilise, make available, and use biodiversity data
• Promote and establish partnerships at global, regional, and national levels to develop curricula, and facilitate training activities in biodiversity informatics, including the "train the trainers" approach;
• Coordinate the development, publication and updating of multilingual training tools and materials, particularly those enabling distance learning on a wide range of GBIF-related topics;
• Monitor impacts of GBIF training activities, and refine strategies / approaches in order to improve the contribution of these activities to GBIF's mission and goals;
• Actively engage in the implementation of GBIF's Capacity Enhancement Programme for Developing Countries (CEPDEC) training components in e.g. Tanzania, and the SEP-CEPDEC Project (for Francophone countries in Africa and Asia).
• Participate in the preparation of relevant components of fundraising plans and projects.

• Have at least 5 years of experience as a programme/project manager dealing with innovative training and capacity building initiatives;
• Be output and service driven with a proven ability to deliver products in a demanding, dynamic, multicultural, multilingual, and multi-stakeholder environment.
• Have experience assessing and interpreting training needs (both in developing and developed countries), and translating these quickly into appropriate training tools, materials and curricula for specific target audiences.
• Have experience coordinating activities involving a wide range of distributed participants, including governmental, NGO and scientific groups.
• Have excellent inter-personal and communication skills to foster and motivate a broad range of partners and collaborators across the globe
• Be dynamic, self-motivated and highly innovative.
• Be prepared to travel extensively at the international level.
• Have excellent language skills in English and at least one other major international language, preferably French.

• Direct experience working as a trainer, educator, and/or educationalist, ideally with experience in distance/virtual learning techniques
• Understanding of the realm of biodiversity and biodiversity informatics, including taxonomy, collections management, conservation science and policy, etc.
• Experience liaising with, and contributing to biodiversity-related organisations, agencies and networks.
• Experience with the development of innovative and effective training materials and tools for technicians, scientists, policy and decision makers, and biodiversity stakeholders.
• Experience of working in an international environment.

The GBIF Training Officer post is an exciting opportunity to work in a multi-cultural and multilingual environment on a major international project and to play a leading role in increasing our sustainable management of the natural world.

The Training Officer is expected to take up office by 1 March 2008 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Further enquiries and applications should be addressed to the Director, Dr. Nicholas King at: TO@gbif.org. Applications should include a comprehensive CV, with a cover-letter detailing how you meet the above requirements, and your vision for contributing to the overall mission of GBIF, specifically via the ongoing development of training activities across the GBIF network. Include at least two URLs of websites demonstrating e-training tools you have led the development on.

Closing date: 16 January 2008. Interviews will likely take place in Copenhagen early February 2008.