[Coral-List] Meso-American Reef Project Director

Jim Hendee Jim.Hendee at noaa.gov
Fri Dec 5 06:59:29 EST 2003


[Coral-List Admin: This message is being forwarded for Coral Hodge. 
Please see contact info below.]

From: Carol Hodge <chodge at tnc.org>
To: Coral-List
Subject: Meso-American Reef Project Director

The Nature Conservancy
Saving the Last Great Places on Earth

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: Meso-American Reef Project Director
LOCATION: Negotiable
SUPERVISOR: TBD: Belize Program Director or Central America Division 
Director
JOB NUMBER: 3037
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
DATE: November 2003
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

JOB CONTEXT:
Through a combination of targeted scientific research and deep community 
involvement, the Nature Conservancy’s Meso-American Reef (MAR) Program 
has helped to achieve globally significant conservation results, 
including the recent declaration of 11 new Marine Protected Areas in 
Belize. This priority conservation program is currently in a mode of 
expansion, as we move to coordinate and instigate conservation action in 
all four countries (Belize, Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras) of the MAR, 
while also expanding the range of conservation strategies to reflect the 
full complexity of marine ecosystems and the threats they face.

Concomitant with this growth in the program is a corresponding need for 
increased fundraising, coordination and management capacity. Therefore 
the Conservancy is looking to hire an accomplished Project Director to 
lead this program – someone who is capable of guiding its strategic 
direction, while also developing key stakeholder relationships and 
actively managing the program’s activities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Responsibilities associated with expansion of the MAR Program:
· Guide a process to complete a “conservation blueprint” and to refine 
the overall vision, goals, conceptual structure and strategies of the 
Conservancy’s Meso-American Reef Program
· Install enhanced project management, measures and coordination systems 
and processes
· Develop the size and capacity of the core and extended MAR Program team
· Further develop relationships, and shared conservation vision, among a 
wide array of partners across all 4 countries of the Meso-American Reef
· Enhance the fundraising and communications plan and capacity of the 
Program

Responsibilities associated with ongoing management of the MAR Program:
· Coordinate, maintain support, and integrate the activities of a 
variety of internal and external stakeholders in the program’s success. 
(Key stakeholders include a variety of local partners, together with 
WWF, WCS, CI, MBRS, ICRAN; as well as TNC Country Program 
Directors/staff in Belize, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Proarca, 
together with Central America Divisional, South Central and Mexico, and 
Atlantic Regional technical staff, Marine Initiative and Greater 
Caribbean Ecoregional Assessment)
· Supervise and motivate the MAR Program “core team” composed of a 
Senior Marine Scientist and several Conservation Specialists, and build 
capacity as appropriate to deliver on the program’s conservation objectives
· Oversee annual implementation planning, budgeting, reporting and 
financial management
· Meet fundraising goals, including cultivation and direct solicitation 
of donors
· Directly lead policy-related conservation efforts

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:
· Successful experience in developing, directing and managing multiple 
projects, developing and implementing strategic program goals and 
managing budgets.
· Supervisory experience including ability to motivate, lead, set 
objectives and manage performance, including conflict resolution and the 
ability to build a cohesive collaboration among a diverse array of 
stakeholders
· Excellent communications in English and Spanish.
· Graduate degree in natural resources (marine focus preferred), 
organizational management or related field and 5+ years' experience in 
conservation project management, or equivalent combination.

COMPLEXITY/PROBLEM SOLVING:
· Negotiates complex high profile or sensitive agreements.
· Diagnoses complex problems and identifies creative solutions - thinks 
out of the box.
· Designs, implements and directs multiple complex projects, setting and 
meeting deadlines, ensures program accountability and fiscal management.
· Coordinates the work of other professionals inside and outside the 
organization.

DISCRETION/ LATITUDE/ DECISION-MAKING:
· Significant opportunity to act independently within broad program goals.
· Makes strategic decisions based on analysis, experience and judgment.
· Decisions may bind the organization financially or legally.
· Errors in judgement could have wide scope and lasting effect.

RESPONSIBILITY/OVERSIGHT - FINANCIAL & SUPERVISORY:
· Manages multi-disciplinary administrative and professional staff, 
responsible for performance management, training and career development. 
Establishes clear directions and sets stretch objectives.
· Ensures regional program meets country-specific legal requirements.
· Responsibility and accountability for meeting program strategic goals 
and objectives.
· Financial responsibility includes setting and meeting fundraising 
objectives, developing and operating within budget and developing 
corrective strategies as needed.
· Responsible for ensuring that MAR Project complies with TNC policies 
and external (donor, USG grant) requirements.

COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:
· Communicates professionally with a wide variety of people of diverse 
cultural professional and economic backgrounds for the purpose of 
developing, negotiating and/or implementing programs and projects.
· Prepares, presents and negotiates project proposals with bilateral 
and/or multilateral agencies.
· Identifies, cultivates and solicits major donors in support of country 
activities.
· Strong communications and presentation skills, ability to persuasively 
convey Project priorities to diverse groups, including donors, partners, 
media and TNC domestic audiences.
· Sensitivity to working in an advisory role with partner organizations 
and TNC country programs.
· Effectively directs/participates in complex negotiations. Ability to 
work well under pressure.
· Ability to work independently and as a member of a team to coordinate 
and lead the efforts of other professionals to effectively meet 
in-country and regional program needs.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:
· Willing to travel 25 - 40% of time, as needed.
· Work requires only minor physical exertion and/or physical strain. 
Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements.

CONTACT:
Send cover letter and resume by January 12, 2004 to Jobs at tnc.org (please 
indicate job title in subject line)

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Visit us at www.nature.org/careers





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