WCS Marine Director, Papua New Guinea (Kavieng, PNG) - closing date 31 Aug 2011

Position:                      WCS Marine Director, Papua New Guinea (Kavieng, PNG)

Reports to:                  Director, WCS Marine Conservation (NY)

Coordinates with:       Director, WCS Papua New Guinea (Goroka, PNG)

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, coordinating closely with our PNG Country Program staff based at Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province. The Kavieng office 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 manage and protect coastal ecosystems, ii) promotion of sustainable small-scale fisheries, iii) adaptation to climate change, and iv) training and capacity building in marine and coastal 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, as well as attending meetings in Port Moresby and elsewhere. The WCS PNG Marine Director position is a full-time position with benefits.

The preferred candidate will have a Masters or PhD in marine science, social sciences, or another appropriate discipline, and will have significant tropical field experience, a background or interest in coastal and marine conservation, and a proven ability to work in an international context and in remote locations. Experience working in Melanesia or other Pacific island regions is preferred, but not required.

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 PNG Marine Program, based in Kavieng, New Ireland Province. 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. Ensure programs and projects are implemented in an effective and timely manner. Develop and manage annual budget for the program.
• In consultation and collaboration with the WCS PNG Country Program Director and staff based in Goroka, refine and further develop a vision and strategic plan for WCS’s work in Papua New Guinea that identifies an overall goal and research, conservation and community liaison priorities to achieve that goal. Refine program priorities, strategies and approaches to conservation that are culturally appropriate in PNG. Help 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 strategic planning and implementation of WCS’s global marine conservation activities and programs in the Coral Triangle region. Communicate regularly with staff of programs in Indonesia and Fiji, as well as with staff in NY; help identify opportunities to work together; and develop 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’s marine conservation work in PNG to communities, partner organizations, donors, government partners, and other NGOs. Work with WCS staff and partners to 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, in coordination with Marine Program staff in NY
  
  
• 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:

• PhD or Masters degree in marine science, social sciences, or another appropriate discipline
• Significant tropical field experience, a background or interest in coastal and marine conservation, and a proven ability to work in an international context and in remote locations. Experience working in Melanesia or other Pacific island regions is preferred, but not required.
• Program and staff management experience in developing country context is required.
• Proven ability to achieve on-the-ground conservation success in the context of customary tenure systems where social relations play a crucial role, is essential.
• Ability to effectively deal with the challenges of field-based tropical conservation and local community 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.
• Ability or willingness to learn Tok Pisin.
• Ability to build capacity in community-driven natural resource management, field research, conservation biology, conservation advocacy, and/or project management. Demonstrated success raising funds and managing multiple, large projects.
• Willingness to live in PNG and to travel within PNG and internationally.

To apply, please email cover letter and CV with subject “PNG Marine Director” to pwatim@wcs.org, and marineprogram@wcs.org.