Natural Resources Management (NRM) Officer

Description

• Mozambique is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. Critical forest, freshwater and marine land- and seascapes provide important benefits to local communities and the country’s economy. Yet these natural ‘assets’ are under extreme anthropogenic pressure and impacts from climate change. WWF Mozambique Country Office (WWF-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 establishes three pillars: (i) inclusive conservation of species and habitats, (ii) sustainable and equitable livelihoods and (iii) greening the footprint of economic development
• WWF MCO is implementing, through the Seascape programme, one project funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), focused on strengthening community management of important mangrove areas and strengthening climate change adaptation in coastal communities and ecosystems of Govuro district (Inhambane Seascape). It is expected that through this project, poor coastal communities will see their rights to manage and benefit from mangroves secured, their vulnerability to climate-related risks will be reduced, and sustainable, climate-resilient livelihood opportunities and enterprises will be developed for mangrove dependent coastal communities in Mozambique
• This project will put in place systems to enable long-term income and other benefits for communities. Sustainability of initiatives beyond the project lifetime will be strengthened through income and benefits generated by community-led enterprises supported by a regional accelerator providing technical support and funding opportunities to achieve investment-readiness and enable the enterprises to attract investor interest. This piloting of new approaches to attract market and investor interest will include aggregation of products from small-scale producers or aggregating small-scale projects under a unified governance structure to achieve sufficient scale to attract market and investor interest
• As part of implementation of this project, WWF MCO intends to recruit a Natural Resources Management Officer to be based in Vilankulo district, Inhambane province

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Internal: Interacts and works closely and on a regular basis with project implementation personnel in Vilankulo, Govuro and Maputo. Coordinates and interacts as appropriate with members of the WWF Mozambique marine team, WWF Global Oceans Practice, WWF Regional and International, and other WWF Network staff
• External: Interacts with governmental institutions, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, the media, donors, specialists/consultants, private sector in the fishing and extractive industry and other stakeholders, in collaboration with Mangrove senior officer and the Inhambane Programme Coordinator, as appropriate
• This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organizational needs
• The Marine Officer will be responsible for the implementation of activities of the project Mangrove ecosystem sustainable management for climate change adaptation and resilient livelihoods for remote coastal communities in the South West Indian Ocean (SWIO) Region. In particular, he/she will:
• Assist and support the Mangroves Senior Officer and the Inhambane Program Manager
• Support the implementation of activities in Govuro district (Inhambane Seascape)
• Provide advice and collaboration to the Mangroves Senior 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 project issues
• Works with the marine staff from WWF- Network Offices (WWF-NOs) for delivery of projects being implemented in Mozambique as required
• Supports the implementation of the WWF MCO 2020-2030 Country Strategy, specially the WWF Mozambique seascape 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
• Oversight and collaborate with Field Officers based in Govuro district, providing technical assistance as required by the Mangroves Senior Officer, in accordance with WWF policies, procedures and standards
• The position is to be in Vilankulo sede, Inhambane province, with travels and visits outside

Duties

Development of fisheries activities within Inhambane Seascape (60%)

• Support the Mangrove Senior Officer on the development and management of the activities to achieve project objectives Develop and operate under a quarterly workplan system, which will be reviewed monthly by the Senior Mangroves Officer; and prepare costed activity 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 stakeholder’s task forces
• Provide management advice and disseminate results to inform decision and policy making process on fisheries, marine conservation and environmental protection;
• Support workshops, field missions and exchange experiences, as well as, other required activities
• Conduct and facilitate trainings in mangroves restoration and natural resources co-management in close collaboration with government institutions
• Support marine research studies within WWF projects and marine consultancies assignments
• Participate in relevant seascapes and conservation team meetings and workshops in the country

Technical Support and Capacity Building (20%)

• 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 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 mangroves, natural resources co-management, importance of conservation for sustainable development and climate resilience, etc
• Provide technical support for the collection of necessary 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 Community Fisheries Councils (CCPs), CGRNs, etc Support communities and local government for the effective implementation of Local Adaptation Plans on Climate Change (PLAs) and build capacities, mobilizing communities for their active participation

Information Management and Communication (15%)

• Work closely with MCO Communications Officer, Senior Mangrove Officer, Inhambane Program Manager, M&E Officer and other colleagues to regularly publish the results of field work done in relation to fisheries initiatives in Inhambane Seascape
• Prepare detailed monthly progress reports related to activity implementation, including observations from the field, lessons learned, required M&E indicators monitored, real expenses versus planned expenses, constraints 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 Senior Mangrove Officer, Inhambane Program Manager, Seascape Coordinator or Conservation Manager for the smooth and efficient implementation of the MCO conservation program

Requisites

• University Degree in Fisheries, 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 resources management and conservation assisting the implementation of projects on: mangrove restoration, sustainable fisheries, community-based conservation areas, etc
• 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 mangrove restoration, NRM, community conservation management and communities’ rights will be advantageous

Required Skills and Competencies

• Languages & ITC
• 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), spreadsheets (Excel), presentations (MS PowerPoint), email and internet research are 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 full time 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: Integrity, Respect, Courage and Collaboration
• Adheres to WWF’s behaviours, which are: Strive for Impact; Listen Deeply; Collaborate Openly; and Innovate Fearlessly

Notes

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted