American Samoa CRI Coordinator Position Available

[Flinn Curren]

Note:Please send responses to this announcement to
beeching at blueskynet.as

Vacancy: American Samoan Coral Reef Advisory Group
(CRAG) Coordinator

General Description:
CRAG, the Coral Reef Advisory Group to the Governor,
comprises 5 agencies in American Samoa, Department of
Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR), Department of
Commerce (DOC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
National Parks Service (NPS), and the American Samoan
Community College (ASCC). As its title suggests, the
primary role of the group is to provide specialized
informed advice to the Governor of Samoa and his
government. However the role of the group has expanded
somewhat, and it currently prioritises projects for
funding under Coral Reef Initiative Grants.

The CRAG coordinator post was established to assist in
the administration of the group, to coordinate the
various programs and projects developed by CRAG and to
play an active role in managing selected projects. A
major initiative in American Samoa is the development
of Marine Protected Areas, to meet President Clintons
Executive Order requiring the establishment of  MPA’s
in 20% of all US coral reef areas.

This position is located in the Department of Marine
and Wildlife Resources (DMWR) and the employee will
report to the CRAG, with the DMWR Chief Biologist as
supervisor.

Duties and Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of this position are:
1.      To become familiar with, and administer and
coordinate, as appropriate, CRI funded projects in
American Samoa as well as others that are critical to
coral reef protection. Projects will be tracked to
ensure timeliness, adherence to project goals and
technical soundness.
2.      To coordinate and organize the process of funding
proposals in terms of identifying available funds,
evaluating existing and new projects, and compiling
these into coherent final proposals. The CRI
coordinator is also responsible for ensuring that
semi-annual reporting requirements to funding bodies
in the US are met.
3.      To provide written and verbal feedback on a
periodic basis to CRAG on the progress of CRI
projects, mandates, new initiatives etc. Meetings will
be called to allow for this feedback and to discuss
other relevant activities and issues.
4.      Become and remain familiar with the activities of
the US and International Coral Reef Initiatives.
5.      Inform and advise CRAG on the activities of the CRI
that will affect them, that require action, and that
can be of benefit to them. This includes identifying
new funding sources.
6.      To implement MPA development plans in a program
developed from the A.S. Marine Protected Areas
workshop.
7.      To manage individual projects as assigned by CRAG.
In 2002/3 these are likely to include, i) seeking
proposals from contractors for the design of the
territory’s first marine laboratory, ii) coordinating
the ReefCheck global reef monitoring program locally,
iii) organizing an award program for an annual series
of grants to selected local schools for the marine
science projects and, iv) organizing the visit of a
bio-statistician to the territory.
8.      Other duties as assigned by the Chief Biologist.

The CRAG coordinator will devote an estimated 30% of
his/her time to CRAG administration and 70% of his/her
time to MPA programs

Qualifications
This position requires an individual with a minimum of
a Masters Degree in biological science with an
emphasis on fisheries, marine science or oceanography.
It is preferred that the person’s background include
tropical ecosystems and particularly, coral reefs.
Previous administration experience would also be
preferable. Candidates must be well organized, and
have excellent communication skills in English.
Preference will be given to applicants from the USA
and/or within the Pacific Rim

Salary
$30,000 p.a. Two-year contract, renewable by mutual
consent. Travel expenses and shipment of effects.
Annual and sick leave accumulate at 8 hours and 4
hours respectively every fortnight pay period.
Subsidized housing (80% subsidy) on rental of a
government house. Subsidized medical care.

Application
Deadline for applications: 1 September 2002

Mail, fax or email c.v. publication list, contact
details for 3 references and a covering letter
addressing the qualifications and responsibilities
indicated above.

The Director,
Ray Tulafono,
Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources,
PO Box 3730,Pago Pago,
American Samoa 96799,
USA.

Fax: (684) 633-5944
Email applications may be routed via Tony Beeching at:
beeching at blueskynet.as

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