CURRENT VACANCY: MARINE PROGRAM DIRECTOR (BASED IN ZANZIBAR)

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is an equal opportunity employer and seeks a Marine Program Director to implement and manage field-based marine conservation projects in Tanzania. WCS is one of the leading actors in marine research and conservation globally. We are looking to further develop our marine conservation with an emphasis on sharks and rays, cetaceans, coral reefs and marine PAs. The position is based in Zanzibar and will require travel throughout Tanzania. 

TERMS OF REFERENCE

• Work with the WCS Tanzania Country Program to develop further a contemporary marine conservation vision and strategy for WCS’s work in Tanzania that identifies goals, objectives and programs of work for field-based conservation.

• Work with Country Director and other Administrative and Finance Director to ensure compliance and smooth operations of WCS Marine conservation program. Provide any administrative support when needed as directed by the Country Director.

• Work with Country Director and Finance Director in preparation, implementation and management of Project Budgets and oversee the general Financial Management of the project.

• Liaise closely with the Tanzanian and Zanzibar government to ensure excellent WCS-GoT/Z relations.

• Co-ordinate activities on projects specifically related to shark and ray conservation and support cetacean conservation and other agreed research and conservation initiatives. 

• Contribute to the preparation of annual work plans and technical and finance project reports as required by WCS and financial partners.

• Co-ordinate with Communications to ensure conservation messages are being delivered locally, nationally and internationally.

• Represent WCS’s marine conservation work in Tanzania to technical and financial partners, government partners, and other NGOs. Establish and maintain strong working relationships with these partners. 

• Lead the WCS marine team in the preparation of fundraising proposals that are based on sound marine conservation science and that respond to WCS’s marine conservation priorities at global and national levels. 

• Advise WCS Tanzania on personnel and technical needs to ensure implementation of an efficient, effective, and technically capable marine conservation field program. Determine capacity building needs and provide training and technical support to staff in relation to project implementation, data collection and analysis and filed level implementation. 

• Build a strong and passionate team including empowering local talents and promote education and scientific conservation.

• Publicise WCS Tanzania marine program achievements through popular and scientific media. Ensure capacity building of national staff in undertaking research and participating in the preparations of scientific publications.

• Liaise with national and international research institutes and universities to attract researchers and students to develop research activities based on WCS marine conservation priorities. In accordance with priorities and available recourses, oversee the implementation of marine research activities, including training of national students.

Qualifications required:

• MSc or equivalent in marine conservation/science, ecology, biology, conservation.

• Minimum 5 years relevant experience. 

• Proficiency in English and Swahili

• Specific experience with sharks and rays, MPAs, coral reefs or cetaceans an advantage. 

• Proven track record of achieving successful on-the-ground marine science or conservation outcomes. 

• Previously demonstrated commitment to marine conservation and genuine enthusiasm about career development in marine conservation.

• Experienced in working with people of diverse cultures, value systems, perspectives and education. 

• Willingness to travel extensively within Tanzania. 

• Excellent planning, communication, reporting and organisational skills.

• A high level of integrity, honesty and responsibility.

• SCUBA certification level equivalent at least to PADI Advanced Open Water.

Interested candidates should send CVs and a cover letter to wcshrtanzania@wcs.org before 15^th July 2020. The CV must list three independent referees. Only qualified applications will be considered.

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Position Location: Tanzania
Reports to: WCS Tanzania Marine Director  
Term: 1-year contract with possibility for renewal
Expected Start Date: August 2020

Context
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and partners are tackling the issue of deteriorating marine environments in the Western Indian Ocean by expanding MPAs and improving their management. The Western Indian Ocean is a socially and biologically diverse region that contains some of the world’s most extensive and most climate resilient coral reefs and mangroves, which are critical sources of protein, coastal protection, and income to coastal populations. Yet, the integrity of the region’s ecosystems is threatened by the overexploitation of fisheries, habitat clearing, and pollution. These threats are exacerbated by the impacts of climate change, including sea level rise, coral bleaching, and storm events. 

WCS is currently leading a project on the Trans-Boundary Conservation Area between southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. The project addresses these challenges by supporting improved management of a network of climate resilient, sustainable and effectively managed marine protected areas in the Western Indian Ocean. The project is also enhancing the community management of sustainable small-scale fisheries with fisheries management plans, support of locally managed marine areas, and work towards reducing post-harvest losses and improving marine-related supply chains. The project will thus contribute to maintaining the critical ecosystems in the region and ensure sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities.

Job Description
WCS is seeking a technically qualified person who will be responsible for overseeing the Trans-Boundary Conservation Area (TBCA) work of WCS in the northern Tanzania coastal region (Tanga Coelacanth Marine Park to the Kenyan border) under the supervision of the WCS Tanzania Marine Director. The position will require frequent travelling within Tanzania and also various visits to Mombasa, Kenya.  

Duties
• Serving as the point person for coordination with government and non-government partners and leading regional and national meetings on the TBCA work
• Developing management plans with marine parks and reserves, including providing strategic framework assistance, review of literature, data analysis, writing, and coordination of training meetings.
• Development of fisheries management plans with communities and Districts
• Supporting communities in a process to develop locally managed fisheries-closures
• Report writing for WCS, donors, and partners
• Supervision of one full-time WCS field staff based in Tanga
• Coordination and supervision of social and ecological field surveys
• Support to and supervision of consultants working on the project (including fisheries value chain addition, control and surveillance for MPAs, and building of key infrastructure)
• Data entry and analysis as required

Requirement, Skills & Experience
• Tanzanian National
• Minimum Master’s Degree in conservation or marine science related field with at least 3-years leadership experience in project management and leadership of marine work 
• Experience working with MPAs and developing natural resource management plans
• Experience working with coastal communities in Tanzania in a leadership role
• High-level understanding of marine fisheries management and sustainable fishing practices
• Excellent writing and analytical skills (should be able to provide example of scientific publication or professional report as lead author)
• Fluent in Kiswahili and English (oral and written)
• High-level of proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Statistical skills (e.g. R) or GIS/mapping skills highly desirable
• Strong supervisory and organisational skills (must have history of successfully supervising a team)
• Positive attitude and ability to work both independently and as part of a team

Application Process:
Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications, should apply by emailing an application letter and CV together with the names and contact information of three references to: wcshrtanzania@wcs.org by 31th July 2020. Candidates are urged to apply early. Please include “Project Coordinator - TBCA” in the subject line of your email. Remuneration offered to the most qualified candidate shall be in line with the WCS Salary Scales.

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Abdallah Said Abdulla: MARINE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Abdalla joined WCS in 2018 and is now the principal researcher undertaking shark and ray data collection, as well as training and collating data from the project’s network of research assistants. He also participates in marine education efforts in schools and community forums. Prior to joining WCS, Abdallah worked at the Department of Agricultural Extension and Farmer Training and before that at UWAMWIMA helping organize farmer groups and provide horticultural training. He holds a Certificate and Diploma in General Agriculture from Zanzibar’s Kizimbani Agricultural Training Institute.

Neema Saburi: MARINE FINANCE AND LOGISTICS OFFICER
Neema joined WCS’s country program office in 2019 as a volunteer assistant to the finance director. She was then taken on as the marine finance and logistics officer in 2020. She holds a Foundation Level certificate of accountancy from the National Board of Accountants and Auditors (NBAA) and Diploma in Business Administration from St. John’s University of Tanzania. Prior to joining WCS, she worked for two years as accounts assistant for LULU SACCOS LTD.

Shabani Mkwavile: MARINE FIELD ASSISTANT

Faki Haji Faki: MARINE DATA COLLECTION ASSISTANT
Mzee Fakih joined WCS in 2018. He collects shark and ray data at Mkokotoni Landing site in Unguja which he submits weekly to Abdallah the marine research assistant.