Position overview
Based in the coastal town of Fort Dauphin in the southeast of Madagascar, this post will provide specialist knowledge and experience within a team of National and International staff working with rural fishing communities on managing a small scale lobster fishery.
The successful candidate will lead on providing international best practice, work alongside the Project Development Officer in reporting and the development of additional activities and support the Project Co-ordinator in managing and monitoring the activity. They will also support the team to develop training resources and support the development of a sustainable lobster fisheries management strategy. The specialist will travel regularly between SEED’s office in Fort Dauphin and SEED’s Conservation Research Camp in Sainte Luce, where the project is based.
This exciting post would suit someone with a Masters degree in a relevant field and experience in implementation of similar initiatives in a similar developing country context.
Title: Marine Specialist
Timeframe: 12 months extendable
Probationary period: 3 months
Contract: Full-time
Remuneration: Contribution towards flights, Insurance, and local stipend (covering accommodation and basic living expenses)
Reporting to: Head of Project Development (Environment, Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods)
Primary responsibilities
- Desk-based research into international best practice of marine conservation and fishery management activities in the context of Madagascar specifically – involving lessons learnt from previous projects and organisations.
- Collaborate with and support national staff to ensure project delivery marries international best practice into the local context, whilst predicting challenges and barriers to success.
- Provide technical expertise and support the on-going monitoring and management of the activity plan for the project
- Develop a community-led fisheries management plan (public declaration) in collaboration with a diverse range of stakeholders
- Liaise with partners and other organisations to build knowledge, skills and support for the project in the wider context of Madagascar
- Work with the project team to develop a long-term strategy for SEED’s sustainable livelihoods work in the Sainte Luce area
- Identify needs, develop content and lead on learning opportunities for project staff
- Assist the Education Specialist in planning and organising education activities, building capacity in this area for autonomous, intuitive decision making with regards to aligning education activities directly with practical activities and real-world applications of the project
- Work with the Project MEL Specialist to develop and implement the project’s monitoring and evaluation activities, analysis and dissemination
- Support the Project Development Officer in writing and editing progress reports for the donor and stakeholders
- Support in the identification and development of supporting projects in the area of marine management or sustainable livelihoods in the area
- Support the Project Co-ordinator in managing the budget and lead on financial reporting to the donor alongside the PD Officer and Head of Project Development
- Support the Project Co-ordinator in managing, monitoring and adjusting the activity plan, and conducting fortnightly team meetings
- Lead in identification and writing of technical and academic reports and papers
- Any other tasks that the Head of Project Development or Head of Department deems necessary within the broad remit of the role
Essential Specifications:
o Masters in Marine Conservation, Environmental Science, Zoology, Natural Science or another relevant subject or equivalent work experience (minimum 2 years)
o Experience of small scale fishery management projects, preferably another developing country
o Have the ability and desire to build capacity and share skills across cultures
o Have the ability and desire to work with teams from different economic and cultural backgrounds and across multiple language barriers
o Experience of or capability to work with translators
o Be able to work both independently and as part of a multicultural and multilingual team.
o Have passion and motivation for the work and to enthuse staff and volunteers
o Experience of contributing to reports for external donors and stakeholders
o Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to SEED’s ethos and approach and be a good ambassador for SEED at all times
o Have passion, curiosity and motivation for the job and the ability to enthuse others
o Demonstrate proven ability to recognise and appropriately deal with challenging situations and possess excellent problem-solving skills
o Demonstrate an awareness of and comfort with increased social and professional responsibility, working at all times with cultural sensitivity and respect
o Demonstrate the ability, social skills and confidence to give clear guidance and support to other members of the team in respect of the philosophy and procedures of SEED in order to protect both their safety and the reputation of the NGO
o Be punctual and be able to work to tight deadlines in an organised manner and to a high standard
o Have a flexible and patient attitude
o Willingness to learn Malagasy
o Successful candidate will need to be equipped with their own laptop computer (non-tablet) and tent
o Emergency First Responder (or equivalent) certified is desirable
Application procedure
Interested applicants should send a CV and covering letter outlining how their skills and experience match the requirements in the role description criteria to Lisa Bass by email at [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Long-listed applicants will have an initial informal chat with Madagascar based staff and short-listed applicants will then be offered a face-to-face interview with the London team in-person.
More information on the work of SEED Madagascar can be found at www.madagascar.co.uk
More Information
- Job City Fort Dauphin
