Overview

Location: Anjouan, Comoros

Closing date for applications: 7th August 2015

Contract duration: Two years, with three-month trial period

Start date: September 2015

Remuneration and benefits: Competitive salary based on experience

Terms of reference: Download here

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We’re currently recruiting a self-motivated and enthusiastic individual to lead an exciting new partnership project between Blue Ventures Conservation and Dahari, a Comorian-based NGO. The project will build the foundations for effective locally led marine conservation and fisheries management in the Comoros through participatory research and monitoring, building skills within local NGOs and community organisations.

The project represents a unique opportunity to work towards the effective management of marine resources in the Comoros, learning lessons from and building on the encouraging successes of the growing Locally Managed Marine Area movement elsewhere in the Western Indian Ocean region. The project has been informed by a series of scoping and exchange visits between Madagascar and Comoros over the last three years, and is grounded in strong relationships developed between Blue Ventures, Dahari and the Bimbini-based local association UMAMA.

The Project Manager will report directly to the Technical Director of Dahari, with further technical support provided by Blue Ventures’ Conservation Programmes Manager as well other members of the Blue Ventures team. The Project Manager will also work to build the capacity of a local Conservation Technician, who will mirror the Project Manager’s responsibilities, supporting community engagement. The local Conservation Technician will lead community outreach missions to neighbouring fishing villages and communicate the results of monitoring data to communities.

Requirements

Essential

  • Graduate-level qualification in marine ecology/biology, conservation or a related degree
  • Experience in undertaking coral reef surveys, including the necessary diving qualifications
  • Experience in developing or managing community-led monitoring programmes AND/OR working within a community-based conservation programme
  • Previous conservation project management experience
  • Ability to take the initiative and problem-solve quickly
  • Ability to work well as part of a multicultural team (the role will involve working with English, French and Comorian staff)
  • Fluency in French and English
  • Willingness to live and work in a relatively remote environment

Desirable:

  • Experience of developing or running socioeconomic surveys
  • Experience of developing partnerships with government agencies, non-governmental organisations and the private sector
  • Experience of financial management and budget preparation
  • Good knowledge of fisheries monitoring
  • Work experience in Western Indian Ocean, including knowledge of the environment and related issues

Application Details

Applicants should send a cover letter and a recent copy of their CV (with full address, telephone and e-mail contact details of three professional referees), along with the application form to jobs@blueventures.org. Please include the reference “Project Manager, Comoros” in the subject line. The closing date for applications is 7th August.