New IPBES Head of Work Programme and Head of Operations Announced

4 September 2020

Notification: Announcement of Key Secretariat Appointments - Head of Work Programme and Head of Operations

Dear IPBES members, observers and stakeholders,

It is my pleasure to announce the appointment of two senior positions within the IPBES secretariat. Ms. Simone Schiele has taken up the position of Head of Work Programme and Mr. Frank Lankeit is our new Head of Operations.

Simone has been with the IPBES secretariat in different roles since 2016 and is already well-known to our wider community. Her previous professional experience includes working for the Convention on Biological Diversity secretariat in Montreal and the Ecologic Institute in Berlin. In her new role, Simone will coordinate implementation of the IPBES work programme, ensuring that all activities are implemented in line with the decisions of the Plenary. She also takes responsibility for exploring opportunities for collaboration and synergies with other related agencies and organisations.

Prior to joining IPBES, Frank was responsible for a range of operational support functions in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the UN’s Department of Field Support and in the private sector. As the IPBES Head of Operations, Frank will define strategy for administrative processes and manage the team providing operational services in support of IPBES activities. As Certifying Officer, he also takes charge of ensuring the IPBES secretariat’s compliance with all applicable regulations and rules.

I know you will join me in welcoming them both to the IPBES team in their new roles. The secretariat is now even better-placed to meet the needs of the diverse and vibrant IPBES community.

Yours sincerely,

Dr. Anne Larigauderie