Tanzania Program > Staff > Greater/ Pemba Channel

STAFF

MARINE PROGRAM

SHARKS, MANGROVES, CORAL REEF CONSERVATION AND FISHERIES

MARINE PROGRAM STAFF: ZANZIBAR OFFICE

CURRENT WORK OPPORTUNITY: BLUE CARBON PROJECT COORDINATOR

Reporting to WCS Tanzania Marine Program Director

Project Background
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and partners are tackling the issue of deteriorating marine environments in the Western Indian Ocean by supporting the expansion and effective management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The Western Indian Ocean is a socially and biologically diverse region that contains extensive 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 proposed Trans-Boundary Conservation Area (TBCA) 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 MPAs in the Western Indian Ocean.
In this context, WCS is seeking a motivated, dynamic, and technically skilled candidate to lead the Blue Carbon component of the project. The project will cover the main aspects of the implementation of a Blue Carbon trading project: community work, mangroves and seagrass assessments and development of management plans. The project will thus contribute to maintaining the critical ecosystems in the region, helping safeguard sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities.
The project will develop over 3 years with funding secured for the first one with possibility of renewal. The candidate will part of a growing and dynamic team tackling some of the most important conservation challenges in the region.

Qualifications and Experience
The candidate must have a minimum of
- Master’s degree from a marine related subject
- 3 years of relevant experience, including in mangrove and seagrass assessments
- Familiarity with work with communities and MPAs
- Good written and spoken English
Ideal candidate will have experience in GIS and spatial analysis (QGIS or ArcGIS) and coding in R/Python.

Essential and Strategic Functions

The post-holder will oversee and actively implement the Blue Carbon project with the support of WCS’s country and regional team. Specific duties will include the following;
− Serving as the point person for coordination of Blue Carbon project with stakeholders
− Draft and contribute to development of management plans and locally managed mangrove and seagrass areas in collaboration with Government, communities, and non-governmental organisations.
− Supporting and leading consultations with communities in the process of developing successful mangrove and seagrass management plans.
− Coordination, conducting and supervision of data collection in the field.
− Supervision of WCS interns and consultants working on the project.
− Data entry and analysis as required.
− Developing Terms of Reference and work-plans for consultants involved in the project.
− Report writing for WCS, donors, and partners.
− Representing WCS in a fit and appropriate manner.

Working location
The successful candidate will be based in Tanga, Tanzania with field trips in the region and possibly visits to the Marine Program office in Zanzibar and regional office in Mombasa, Kenya.

Terms
Position runs from date of recruitment to September 2022 with possibility of renewal for 2 more years. Remuneration will be commensurate with experience.

How to apply

Qualified candidates should send their Cover letters & CV including 3 referees addressed to WCS Tanzania, County Director at wcshrtanzania@wcs.org not later than October 10th, 2021.

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Jean Mensa: MARINE PROGRAM DIRECTOR

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.