[Coral-List] JOB ANNOUNCEMENT : WCS Marine Director, Papua New Guinea

[McClennen, Caleb]

Position:                      WCS Marine Director, Papua New Guinea 

Reports to:                  Director, WCS Marine Conservation 

Coordinates with:       Director, WCS Papua New Guinea

 

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) seeks a Marine Director to lead
its marine conservation efforts in Papua New Guinea and facilitate
participation and support for the Coral Triangle Initiative.  WCS
focuses on implementing community-based and scientifically sound
conservation strategies to improve the management of coastal marine
ecosystems, with a particular emphasis on coral reefs. Our operations
are based in Kavieng, New Ireland Province, while coordinating closely
with our PNG Country Program staff, based at Goroka, Eastern Highlands
Province.  The Kavieng staff consists of a small team of local and
international field biologists, village engagement specialists, and
administrative staff. The program primarily focuses on:  i) working
closely with local communities to protect reef systems and ecosystem
integrity ii)  promotion of sustainable small-scale fisheries
iii)research into customary management, marine biodiversity and local
reef-based fisheries, and iv) training and capacity building in marine
conservation. 

 

Although this position will be largely based in Kavieng, time will be
spent working at field locations in New Ireland and Manus living in
basic village conditions, and attending meetings in Port Moresby.  The
WCS PNG Marine Director position is a full-time position with benefits.


 

Position Objective:

 

Promote marine conservation in priority seascapes in Papua New Guinea by
developing and leading science-based, community-driven field
conservation and capacity building programs. 

 

Principal Responsibilities:

 

*         Oversee and administer the day-to-day operations of the Papua
New Guinea Marine Program. Manage and assist staff in their work through
project consultation, staff meetings and accompanying on site visits;
encourage proper collection, analysis and publication of field data;
maintain regular contact with and provide feedback to field staff.  Hire
as needed new staff, including occasional temporary local and overseas
experts. Oversee staff engagement, awareness raising and WCS protocol
for interaction with communities.

 

*         With an emphasis on marine conservation and in consultation
with the Director of the WCS PNG Country Program and staff, refine and
further develop a vision and strategic plan for WCS' work in Papua New
Guinea that identifies an overall goal for the work and a research,
conservation and community liaison program to achieve that goal.  Refine
program priorities, strategy and approaches for PNG.  Help to identify
conservation needs within the region; establish new programs and
initiatives; build new partnerships in the government, NGO and private
sectors; and evaluate the direction and success of the work.

 

*         Contribute to the strategic planning and implementation of
WCS' global marine conservation activities and programs in the Coral
Triangle region.  Communicate regularly with staff of programs in
Indonesia and Fiji and help to identify common approaches, tools, and
work products that can be applied successfully across the region and in
support of the Coral Triangle Initiative. 

 

*         In coordination with WCS staff in PNG and New York, identify
new funding opportunities to support work in PNG.  Prepare grant
proposals, engage the donor community, and liaise with other
organizations.  

 

*         In coordination with the WCS PNG Country Program and working
closely with community specialist staff, guide the development of
strategies to strengthen social institutions and human capacity in
villages that relate to resource management, contribute to a village
engagement and awareness protocol for WCS in PNG and ensure WCS
interactions with local people are culturally and socially appropriate. 

 

*         Represent WCS' marine conservation work in PNG to communities,
partner organizations, donors, government partners, and other NGOs.
Publicize work of the program through the popular and scientific media;
publish project results in scientific journals; present project
information at national and international meetings.

 

*         In accordance with priorities and available resources, conduct
research, train national students and oversee student and staff
research. 

 

*         Coordinate and facilitate capacity building, training and
development of current staff and partners.

 

*         Ensure compliance with WCS reporting and management policies
and procedures. Prepare and submit project reports as required by WCS
and donor organizations.  

 

*         Establish and maintain strong working relationships with
partner and donor organizations and government bodies involved in marine
conservation in PNG.

 

*         Contribute to, enlarge and uphold the Society's policies
towards Equal Employment Opportunities for women, minorities, veterans,
the handicapped and other protected groups.

 

Preferred Skills:

 

*	Ph.D. or equivalent experience and strong record in marine
conservation science, marine ecology or biology, including conservation
and project management experience in the Pacific. 

 

*	Proven ability to achieve successful on-the-ground conservation
in situations of customary clan-based tenure of marine resources. 

 

*	An understanding of the central role customary land tenure and
social relations play in implementing projects in Melanesia is
essential.  

 

*	Ability to effectively deal with the challenges of field-based
tropical research and local community and conservation politics. 

 

*	Ability to work sensitively and effectively with people of
diverse cultures, value systems, perspectives and levels of education,
and to manage staff in these contexts. 

 

*	Willingness and ability to learn fluent Tok Pisin. 

 

*	Ability to build capacity in community-driven natural resource
management, field research, conservation biology, conservation advocacy,
and project management.  Demonstrated success raising funds and managing
large projects.  

 

*	Willingness to travel within PNG and internationally.

 

To apply, please email cover letter and CV with subject "PNG Marine
Director" to recruitment at wcs.org, and cmcclennen at wcs.org, by January 16,
2009.

 

 

 

 

________________________________

 

Caleb McClennen, Ph.D.

Director, Marine Conservation

Wildlife Conservation Society

2300 Southern Boulevard

Bronx, NY 10460 USA

O: 718-741-8212

C: 347-326-0373

F: 718-364-4275

E: cmcclennen at wcs.org <mailto:cmcclennen at wcs.org> 

skype: calebmcclennen

www.wcs.org/marine <http://www.wcs.org/marine> 

 

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