Marine Natural Resources Management (NRM) Officer (m/f)

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 Inhambane Seascape. WWF MCO has been active in the Inhambane Seascape since 2020 working on conservation and livelihood interventions. Our focus is on promote artisanal sustainable fisheries practices among communities, increase food production and income opportunities and improve small scale fisheries compliance with fisheries regulations and management measures. WWF MCO is currently implementing a four-years project named “Improving Governance Livelihoods and Ecosystems in Inhambane” SEWOH (special initiative “One World – No Hunger”) funded by German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
• Consequently, WWF MCO is seeking to recruit an enthusiastic and effective Marine NRM Officer to be based in Vilanculo, Inhambane Province
• Working relationships:
• Internal: Interacts and works closely and on a regular basis with project implementation personnel in Inhambane and Maputo, Inhambane Marine Senior Officer, Inhambane Program Manager, M&E Officer, M&E Manager, ESSF Senior Officer marine team and other conservation staff in Maputo
• External: Interacts with governmental institutions, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, the media, donors, specialists/consultants, private sector and other stakeholders, in collaboration with the Inhambane Program Manager, as appropriate

Duties

• The Marine NRM Officer is responsible for implementing Sewoh project activities in Inhambane Province. He/she will:
• Assist and support the Inhambane Senior Marine Officer and the Inhambane Program Manager
• Implement coastal and marine natural resource management activities in Inhambane Seascape
• Provides advice and collaboration to the Inhambane Senior Marine Officer, the Inhambane Program Manager, the M&E Officer and the WWF Staff in Maputo Country Office, such as: Seascape Coordinator, Conservation Manager, M&E Manager, Communications Officers, ESSF Senior Officer, etc. as appropriate, on marine issues
• Works with the marine staff from WWF- Network Offices (WWF-NOs) for delivery of projects being implemented in Mozambique as required
• Supports the development, management and implementation of the WWF MCO 2020-2030 Country Strategy, especially the WWF Mozambique marine programme, ensuring its on-going alignment with National priorities and with other WWF regional and thematic priorities and focus according to the Global Programme Framework (GPF) ensuring strong delivery on the WWF MCO Conservation
• Collaborates with other field officers, providing technical assistance as required, in accordance with WWF policies, procedures and standards

Development of Coastal & Marine NRM activities within Inhambane Seascape (50%)

• Develop and manage marine projects activities to achieve project objectives
• Develop and operate under an quarterly workplan system, which will be reviewed by the Inhambane Program Manager; and prepare monthly costed work plans for activity implementation
• Prepare budgets and ToR for the implementation of specific activities when requested and developed specific technical reports for the execution of these activities
• Work with the government partners, donors, NGOs, civil society, local communities and others in the WWF network to implement the strategic action plan and establishment of stakeholders taskforces
• Provide management advice and disseminate results to inform decision and policy making process on marine conservation and environmental protection
• Support the preparation of terms of reference for trainings, workshops, field missions and exchange experiences, as well as, other required activities
• Reviewing technical documents and proposals, providing technical comments

Technical Support and Capacity Building (30%)

• Providing technical backstopping to the WWF’s marine initiatives and in any other requested aspect
• Participate in relevant technical working groups, conservation meetings and workshops in Inhambane Seascape and develop papers, reports and presentations on MCO work when needed
• Prepare adequate capacity building materials and workshop presentations for communities and government officers related to sustainable management of coastal and marine natural resources (fisheries, mangroves), importance of conservation for sustainable development and climate resilience, responsible use of fishing techniques and methods, etc.
• Provide technical support for the collection of NRM data for M&E, as well as their analysis to support strategic adaptive management of activity implementation
• Support to increase knowledge and build the capacities of artisanal fisheries associations, Community Fisheries Councils, CGRNs, etc.
• Support the establishment of Artisanal Fisheries Temporary Closures and build capacities for the management, mobilize communities for their participation

Information Management and Communication (15%)

• Work closely with MCO Communications Manager, Inhambane Marine Senior Officer, Inhambane Program Manager, M&E Officer and other colleagues to publish regularly the results of field work done in relation to marine initiatives in Inhambane Seascape
• Prepare detailed monthly progress reports related to activity implementation, including observations from field, lessons learned, required M&E indicators monitored, real expenses versus planned expenses, constrains and opportunities identified, etc.
• Represent the WWF-MCO in meetings and conferences to which WWF-MCO is invited to attend when appointed by the line manager
• Participate in strategic meetings related to communication and management of information issues
• Collaborate in the preparation of overall projects communication materials, awareness raising and advocacy
• Draft informative and response letters to government and other stakeholders as required
• Support communication campaigns in radios and schools, etc.

 Other duties and responsibilities (5%)

• Perform other related duties as may be assigned by the Inhambane Marine Senior Officer, Inhambane Program Manager, Seascape Coordinator or Conservation Manager for the smooth and efficient implementation of the MCO conservation program

Requisites

• University Degree in Environmental Sciences, Marine Biology, Coastal & Marine Resource Management, or similar related field. A Diploma in combination with 3 additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the university degree
• At least 2 years of field work experience working in coastal communities in Mozambique on natural resource management and conservation assisting the implementation of projects on: sustainable fisheries, community-based conservation areas, etc.
• Familiarity with Participatory Rural Assessments (PRA) and community & government engagement and mobilization
• Experience and skills in planning, implementation, management, monitoring and reporting of project activities at the field level
• Experience on preparing and organizing trainings at community levels
• Knowledge on surveillance and monitoring-control of natural resources and conservation areas is also a good advantage
• Knowledge around fisheries co-management and community conservation management will be advantageous
• Excellent Portuguese communication skills (oral and written)
• English communication skills is desirable
• Ability to draft official informative letters to government and other stakeholders
• Ability to prepare informative project documents and training materials and conduction of workshop to build capacities of other people and create awareness, advocacy
• Public speaking ability and experience to raise points and present information in conferences and seminars etc.
• Ability to communicate and engage with a different type of project stakeholder (local communities, government, donors, private sector, etc.)
• Computer literacy in MS Office (MS Word), spread sheets (Excel), presentations (MS PowerPoint), email and internet research essential
• Other personal skills:
• Proven interest, passion and commitment for the conservation of nature and community development work
• Proven ability to work and live in remote location without fulltime access to some commodities (cope with power cuts from time to time, etc.), as well as, flexibility and adaptability to adjust to new working environments
• Self-motivated, dynamic and proactive professional with collaborative and team player spirit
• Ability to spend occasionally long ours travelling by 4x4 in off-roads and by boat to reach communities and integral marine reserves
• Ability to represent with high standards the organization and its values
• Zero tolerance to corrupt behaviours and be an example to others
• Hardworking and responsible person with good organization, analytical, communication and leadership capacities
• Ability to ride a motorbike and own a license to do it a strong asset
• Adheres to WWF’s values, which are: Passionate & Optimistic, Challenging & In-spiring, Credible & Accountable, Persevering & Delivering Results
• Adheres to WWF’s behaviours, which are: Strive for Impact; Listen Deeply; Collaborate Openly; and Innovate Fearlessly

Notes

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted