Senior Marine Officer

Description

• Mozambique is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. Critical forest, freshwater and marine land- and seascapes provide important socio-economic benefits to the communities who depend upon them directly, as well as to the national population more broadly. Yet these natural ‘assets’ are under extreme pressure. WWF Mozambique’s (MCO) vision is “a prosperous Mozambique built on thriving ecosystems and environmental citizenship.” This vision is intended to be achieved through a Country Strategy 2020-2030 that stablish three pillars: inclusive conservation of species and habitats, sustainable and equitable livelihoods and greening the footprint of economic development
• Six land and seascapes have been prioritized to be the focus of the vast majority of our conservation work. One of these priority areas is the Primeiras and Segundas Environmental Protected Area (PSEPA). PSEPA is a relatively newly established protected area (2012) and still lacks an administration and surveillance system. WWF MCO has been active in the seascape since 2008 working on conservation and livelihood interventions. Our focus is on the establishment and management of No-Take Zones and establishment of Community Conservation Areas (CCAs); promoting sustainable management of mangroves and coastal and marine species with commercial and subsistence importance; protection of ETPs and flagship species; supporting sustainable livelihoods to improve food and nutrition security; and supporting public participation in MPA management
• Consequently, WWF is implementing a project named “Safeguarding PSEPA”, funded by Blue Action Fund and WWF US. The main objective of the project is to improve the management of PSEPA in close cooperation with relevant stakeholders
• Consequently, WWF MCO is seeking to recruit two experienced, enthusiastic and effective Senior Marine Officer to be based in Angoche, Nampula Province
• The Senior Marine Officer will be responsible for management and implementation of seascape activities at the field level, towards a common WWF vision and objectives and supervise the field based staff and be responsible for the performance for field staff. In particular, the Senior Marine Officer will:
• Design, plan, implement and monitor seascape related activities of the WWF- Mozambique Country Office (WWF-MCO) and ensure that the implemented activities are aligned with seascape sub-strategies in collaboration and coordination with PSEPA Program Manager and Seascape Coordinator Provides seascape-related advice and ensures synergies and collaboration between the seascape and landscape programmes, as well as Policy and Advocacy program, as appropriate
• Works closely with the seascape staff from WWF for delivery of projects being implemented in Mozambique
• Supports the implementation of the WWF Mozambique seascape strategy, ensuring its on-going alignment with National priorities and with other WWF regional and thematic priorities and focus according to the Global Oceans Practices ensuring strong delivery on the WWF MCO conservation
• Collaborates with all stakeholders and partners at national, regional and international levels, providing technical assistance as required, in accordance with WWF policies, procedures and standards

Duties

Implementation of WWF MCO Seascape Projects (80%)

• Implement seascape projects activities at the field level and contribute to annual planning and reporting processes of the seascape unit including preparing annual workplans with clear objectives and achievement benchmarks, long –term and short-term priorities, implementation timelines, financial projections and tools evaluation-all of those tools being drawn from WWF standards and tool
• Oversee administrative and financial management of project activities, in collaboration with finance and administrative department
• Promote enabling environment at the local, district and provincial level, including strengthening Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Community Based Organizations (CBO), local government, associations and communities, and supporting the development and implementation of technical tools for their performance improvement
• Provide technical backstopping to the granted Community Based Organization (CBO), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and other local partners
• Work and engage with the government partners, donors, NGOs, civil society, local communities and others in the WWF
• Develop and disseminate training materials, coordinate and facilitate local trainings/workshops
• Manage, support and monitor research studies, baseline studies, data collection, monitoring system (Management Oriented Monitoring System-MOMS) consultancies assignments and ensure delivery of results
• Support CSOs forums or platforms, in which WWF is a party in marine, coastal and environment issues and in natural resources management
• In coordination with Programmes Manager/Seascape Coordinator and other marine staff, reviewing projects proposals/budgets prior to submission to donors to ensure that they are aligned with WWF project and Programme Management Standards (PPMS)
• Disseminate results to inform decision and policy making process on marine conservation and environmental protection
• Engage with relevant external experts and within the WWF Network to gather information to develop and implement his/her tasks effectively including participating in related Practices (Oceans, Climate and Energy Practices, etc.)
• Participate in relevant seascape and conservation team meetings, conferences and workshops in the country and region, and develop papers, reports, posters and presentations where necessary
• The incumbent will be responsible for effective monitoring of the level of implementation of field activities, give support the audits, donors field visits, mid-term review (MTR) and other evaluation exercises as appropriate, as well as preparation of substantive, financial and other reports; and
• Ensure the incorporation of and compliance with WWF´s environmental and Social Safeguards framework (ESSF) in the conceptualization, design, implementation, monitoring and closure of projects within his/her responsibility

Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and learning (15%)

• Support the WWF M&E Officer and the WWF M&E Manager in the design and implementation of the PSEPA M&E logical framework
• Ensure adequate documentation (including lessons learnt and best practices) of relevant implemented activities
• Coordinate knowledge/learning exchange experience with relevant partners
• Lead continuous observation, reflection, learning, iteration, adaptation and quality improvement process to identify the most salient problems and design appropriate responses, ensuring the highest quality possible of the seascape program in close collaboration with the M&E Manager and implementation partners
• Ensure timely technical reporting to the PSEPA Program Manager as required and according to agreed standards
• Work closely with the MCO communication Manager to publish regularly the results of work done in relation to seascape initiatives
• Develop communication materials on seascape projects, including development of policy briefs and documentation of success stories

Dialogue and Representation (5%)

• Represent WWF MCO at various levels including meetings at local, provincial, national and regional levels on issues directly related to seascape as appropriated when appointed by PSEPA Program Manager or Seascape Coordinator
• Support the successful planning and implementation of field visits for WWF and other stakeholders related to his/her scope work
• Establish synergies with ongoing initiatives in Mozambique and region on seascape initiatives and other conservation sectors or themes
• Other duties and responsibilities:
• Perform other related duties as may be assigned by the WWF-MCO Country Director, Conservation Manager, Seascape Coordinator, Landscape Coordinator or Programmes Managers for the smooth and efficient implementation of the MCO conservation program

Requisites

• Master degree in an appropriated field related to marine or other areas (Marine Biology, conservation/environment/natural resource management/marine/costal). Diploma in the above field, in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience maybe be accepted in lieu of bachelor degree
• At least 5 years of experience working on marine and costal related issues, leading, developing and managing projects or other relevant field in Mozambique or region
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing seascape projects
• Knowledge on community management of natural resources and specifically sustainability aspects of fisheries co-management, livelihoods and inter-institutional relationship
• Knowledge of the institutional and legal framework of the environment, conservation and fisheries sector in Mozambique, as well as of relevant policy issues
• Strong skills in project planning, financing, management, implementation, and evaluation
• Experience with multi-disciplinary environment teams (Government, NGO´s, Donors, Civil Society), would be a strong asset
• Proven leadership skills
• Excellent Portuguese and English communication skills (oral and written)
• Excellent inter-personal skills, including the ability to develop and maintain strong relationships at all levels, including with local communities, government agencies, and the scientific community
• Excellent understanding of risk based approaches to managing projects and programs
• Adheres to WWF´s values, which are: Collaboration, Courage, Integrity ans Respect
• Adheres to WWF´s behaviours, which are: Strive for Impact, Listen Deeply, Collaborate Openly, and Innovate Fearlessly

Notes

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
• Working Relationships:
• Internal: Interacts and works closely and on a regular basis with project implementation personnel in general, and Program Managers in particular, both in Maputo and in the field. Coordinates and as appropriate with members of Seascape team and WWF Africa, WWF International, and other WWF Network staff
• External: Interacts with governmental institutions (national, regional and international), non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, the media, donors, specialists / consultants, and other stakeholders