Inspirational leader sought for ‘pivotal’ Biosphere chapter

Note: applications for this role closed in August 2024. Board members are expected to be recruited in late 2024; if you are interested in membership of the board please contact biosphere@gov.im in the first instance.

The Isle of Man was designated as the world’s only whole-nation Biosphere Reserve in 2016 after UNESCO, the global body which promotes international cooperation through education, the sciences, and culture, recognised its commitment to sustainable development, biodiversity, and cultural heritage.

A new UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man (UBIOM) Board is now being formed, both to steer us through the next two years leading up to the 10 year Periodic Review and to look beyond to the future of our island Biosphere, and we're looking for an inspirational leader to establish and chair this new board.

We're looking for an innovator, a creative thinker, a strategist, and someone who will bring together board members to work together for the benefit of UBIOM. They will work closely with our UBIOM Team, and will liaise with the Stakeholder Partnership Group, ensuring transparency and collaboration at all levels. See the role description for full details.

The successful candidate will lead the Board through the Periodic Review, which will assess the Isle of Man’s performance against its original application and define its vision for the next 10 years, showing the Isle of Man’s dedication to balancing the needs of its environment, economy, and community for the benefit of current and future generations.

Clare Barber MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, said: “This prestigious role offers the opportunity to create a lasting legacy during a pivotal chapter.

“The successful candidate will act as an ambassador, so must be a strong and politically astute leader with a strong understanding of our environment, community, culture, and economy. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future and have a meaningful impact on the island’s global sustainability standing.”

Applications close at 23:59 on Thursday 22 August and interested parties should read the full role description and the provisional Terms of Reference for the UBIOM Board (below) before applying, and any questions can be directed to biosphere@gov.im. To apply, send your CV and a cover letter, detailing your reasons for applying and relevant skills and experience, to biosphere@gov.im.

UBIOM Board Chair role description

UBIOM Board Terms of Reference (provisional)