Seascapes Coordinator

Description

• Mozambique is globally recognized for its rich biodiversity, encompassing essential forest, freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems that provide critical services and socio-economic benefits to local communities and the nation. However, these invaluable natural assets are under increasing pressure from unsustainable exploitation, habitat loss, pollution, and climate change impacts
• To counter these threats, WWF Mozambique (MCO) is implementing its second country strategy (2020-2030), aimed at fostering the sound management and responsible stewardship of Mozambique’s unique biodiversity for the benefit of present and future generations. This strategy is rooted in the understanding that the well-being and prosperity of Mozambicans are intimately connected to a healthy natural environment and, that immediate action is required to preserve this life-support system. It is structured around three core conservation pillars: (i) inclusive conservation of habitats and species, (ii) sustainable and equitable livelihoods, and (iii) greening the footprint of economic development. Each pillar is driven by strategic objectives and outcomes targeted at seven priority areas: the Primeiras and Segundas Environmental Protection Area, Zambezi Delta, Inhambane Seascape, Lake Niassa and Lichinga Plateau, Mount Mabu, the Greater Limpopo, and the Greater Maputo region
• The WWF Mozambique Marine Program plays a critical role in achieving the goals and outcomes of this strategy by 2030, with a dedicated focus on preserving marine ecosystems and their biodiversity, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and empowering local communities. Community engagement is central to the marine program, targeting socio-economic drivers of unsustainable practices such as overfishing and illegal, unregulated, and unreported fisheries. Through support for alternative livelihoods and environmentally sustainable economic activities, including regulated fishing practices and strengthened seafood value chains, the program enhances resilience and economic stability in coastal communities. Furthermore, the program implements nature-based and ecosystem-based solutions to address climate impacts, focusing on restoring critical habitats, building climate resilience, and mitigating the effects of coastal erosion, coral bleaching, and extreme weather events. Additionally, the program addresses pollution challenges, tackling issues like marine. litter, ghost fishing gear, and industrial pollutants, while promoting adherence to environmental and social standards across industries that impact marine ecosystems
• Therefore, WWF MCO is seeking to recruit an experienced, enthusiastic and effective Seascapes Coordinator to lead the implementation of the marine program. The successful applicant will be a member of a rapidly growing team of professional and support staff focused on achieving conservation goals outlined above. The Seascapes Coordinator will play a key role in strategic decision-making for the country office, contributing leadership and expertise to drive impactful, sustainable outcomes for Mozambique’s marine ecosystems
• The Seascapes Coordinator will lead the development and implementation of WWF Mozambique Marine Program, ensuring in the process, complementarity and integration with other WWF MCO’s priority conservation goals, relevant Government of Mozambique national policies and strategies, and the Global WWF Oceans Practice and regional initiatives. He/she will be responsible for:
• Setting up and supervising the delivery of the WWF MCO’s marine program including management of all projects and initiatives, overseeing relationships with partners, donors, government, private sector and civil society, and communication and fundraising
• Leadership and management of the marine program team, including marine staff based in the Maputo Office, the Primeiras & Segundas Field Office, the Zambezi Delta Field Office and the Inhambane Field Office
• Driving and ensuring participation in national policy debate and dialogue on marine and fisheries governance, delivering results through lobbying and negotiation and in coherence with policy standards
• Providing direct technical assistance to ensure the implementation of coastal and marine components into the conservation strategy

Duties

Strategy Development and Delivery (50%)

• Support the review of the country's strategy and the marine program as appropriate in line with WWF WWF’s Roadmap 2030, Global Goals and Global Oceans Practice, global, national, provincial and local context and priorities
• Manage the Marine program and contribute to annual planning and reporting processes of the Mozambique Country Office including preparing, in coordination with key Marine program staff, annual work plans with clear objectives and achievement benchmarks, long-term and short-term priorities, implementation timelines, financial projections and tools for evaluation - all of those tools being drawn from the WWF standards and tools
• Initiate new partnerships and strengthen existing relationships with Government, donors, private sector, civil society, academia and the media
• Mobilize financial and technical resources and ensure that the Marine program is implemented in a timely and professional manner
• Provide guidance and inputs into specialist areas and initiatives including (but not limited to): efforts on sustainable management of deep-sea marine resources and the high seas agenda; evaluation of progress towards meeting program goals for establishment of representative systems of protected areas; provision of technical support and guidance as necessary to specific initiatives including the SWIO seascape initiatives, the Northern Mozambique Channel Initiative, among others
• Gain knowledge of donors’ culture, policies and procedures in relation to the Marine program, initiatives and projects, and ensure WWF compliance with these regulations and consequently partner compliance with agreements provisions as appropriate
• Ensure adequate documentation (including lessons learnt and best practices) is made for all activities undertaken in the Marine program
• 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 Marine program in close collaboration with the M&E Coordinator and internal as well as external implementation partners
• Ensure the preparation and timely submission to the donors of annual work plans and budgets as well as technical and financial reports according to agreed WWF Network standards

Leadership of Marine team (20%)

• Provide vision, leadership and technical direction to the Marine team, following the agreed program plan and in alignment with WWF and national policies and practices
• Hold regular meetings with the Marine team and ensure the implementation of resolutions made thereof, and ensure representation of the Marine team in Senior Conservation Leadership Team meetings and Portfolio Review Meetings with the Conservation Manager
• Oversee administrative and financial management of the Marine program including monitoring spending versus budgets, line managing program staff, and overseeing the supervision of partners and consultants
• Gain an understanding of issues and best practices in the marine sector, and ensure that this trickles down into program implementation
• Develop and provide strategic and technical guidance to build the capacity of key WWF staff to enable them to engage in and implement marine priorities

Synergy with other Strategies and Programs (20%)

• Collaborate closely with other WWF Office on transboundary programs or initiatives including the development and implementation of relevant WWF MCO operating plans and budgets, and management of contracts with partners
• Seek out opportunities for appropriate synergy and collaboration between the Marine Program and the Terrestrial Program
• Participate in regular coordination meetings with other Departments and Sectors (Landscapes, Policy & Advocacy, ESSF, Risk Management, Finances & Administration) as appropriate
• Work closely with the Africa Region staff, SWIO team, other Network Agencies, government agencies, regional institutions, NGOs, multilateral and bilateral agencies, communities and the private sector to develop, coordinate and implement conservation strategies, including development and application of ecologically sustainable ecosystem-based management; provision of technical tools and training for enhancing the effectiveness of protected areas; and enhancing international, regional, national and local policies for ESB management

Policy, Dialogue and Representation (10%)

• Participate in regular donor and government coordination meetings with other programs and related initiatives as appropriate
• Represent WWF MCO in the WWF Oceans Practice, and be the voice of WWF MCO in the Practice and the voice of the Practice in WWF MCO
• Oversee the organization of field visits for WWF and other stakeholders upon request
• Ensure that WWF and Marine program are appropriately represented in relevant coordination bodies or meetings at local and provincial levels on issues that directly relate to the program
• Ensure the Marine program develops and maintains a good relationship and communication with local and provincial level relevant authorities and other actors
• Represent WWF MCO in relationships and negotiations with government agencies, regional institutions, multilateral and bilateral agencies, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, communities, and multi-stakeholder working groups in the marine sector
• The Seascapes Coordinator will also perform other duties as may be requested by the Conservation Manager or his/her designate

Requisites

• Minimum Masters’ Degree in relevant field such as marine ecology, marine natural resource management, environmental science/management or a related field
• Minimum of 8-years relevant professional experience inclusive of experience in project/program implementation, proposal writing and fundraising in the field of marine conservation, fisheries and natural resource management
• Experience and good knowledge of fisheries, marine and coastal management and marine protected area management, regarding the setup and implementation of co-management agreements and publicprivate partnerships for the management of these areas.
• Experience working with a diverse set of stakeholders (e.g., government, private sector, NGOs, academic community)
• Experience coordinating complex inter-disciplinary, cross-sectoral and international multi-stakeholder processes of institutional development at multiple levels (e.g. local, national, multi-national)
• Knowledge of current trends in conservation in general, and marine resources management, protected areas management, and community-based conservation in particular
• In-depth knowledge of Mozambique’s government institutions, and development drivers and challenges within the marine sector
• Proven project management skills, including the ability to develop long-term goals, set clear and measurable objectives, establish and meet deadlines, and work within teams to complete deliverables on time and within budget
• Ability to open doors and build relationships of confidence with senior contacts in government, business, NGOs, civil society and the donor community
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to converse at all levels; both internally and externally
• Analytical and problem-solving skills demonstrating the ability to understand and discuss complex issues concerning environmental and social policies in a context relevant to various audiences
• Ability to engage and influence key stakeholders through verbal and written communications
• Self-motivation and the ability to work independently and as part of a team, including successful experience working collaboratively with representatives from other organizations
• Experience in proposal writing and fundraising
• Adheres to WWF’s values, which are: Courage, Respect, Integrity, and Collaboration
• Fluency in English and Portuguese
• Proficient in the use of computer applications including Microsoft 365 (MS Word, MS Excel, MS
• PowerPoint, MS Teams, and other MS applications), Email, Internet, and ability to learn other organizational applications

Notes

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
• Working Relationships: Internal - Interacts with WWF-Mozambique staff on a daily basis; Coordinates and interacts with WWFInternational and the WWF Network staff as appropriate
• External - Interacts as required with national and provincial administrations, non-governmental organizations, local Partner NGOs, private sector and donors
• WWF encourages applications from women