READVERTISEMENT
SASSI Fisheries Scientist
(3 year contractual position based in Newlands, Cape Town)
Background
WWF South Africa is a solution-driven organisation that constructively engages with government, companies and individuals to meet our goal of a sustainable future in which people live in harmony with nature. In over 40 years of conservation work in South Africa, WWF has increasingly played a leading role in facilitating the attitudes of people, business and government towards the environment which has resulted in tangible and lasting conservation outcomes.
The unsustainable harvest of the world’s oceans has led to the depletion, and in some cases collapse, of many of the world’s major fish stocks. While the outlook for these threatened marine ecosystems remains bleak in the face of unsustainable fishing practices, those involved in the seafood industry are realising that by changing the way they conduct business now, the long-term viability of their industry can be ensured.
Developing a Sustainable Seafood Industry goes beyond focusing on the individual components of sustainable fishing. It requires a holistic approach, addressing all aspects along the chain of custody from the fisherman’s hook all the way to the final product delivered to the consumer at their local fish shop or restaurant. The WWF Sustainable Fisheries Programme bases it work ethos on this premise, and extends from the Seafood Market Transformation Programme which works directly with the fishing industry and the retailers and suppliers which procure from them, through to the Southern African Sustainable Seafood
Initiative (WWF-SASSI) which focuses on raising awareness amongst restaurants, chefs and consumers.
The Sustainable Fisheries Programme aims to create a climate for the successful implementation on an
Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) in South Africa. A key focus of this work revolves around creating market-based incentives for responsible fisheries practices by increasing the market demand for sustainable seafood. At the same time, by identifying sustainability challenges through the SASSI assessment process and working collaboratively with the fisheries involved to address these challenges,
WWF are working towards ensuring that all fisheries are able to benefit from more responsible practices.
In order to achieve its goal of moving fisheries towards responsible and sustainable practices, WWF-SA is seeking to appoint a Fisheries Scientist. The successful candidate will play a key role in the development of
WWF’s Seafood Market Transformation programme fisheries work and will report to the Manager of the
Seafood Market Transformation programme.

Key Responsibilities
The Fisheries Scientist will be responsible for the following actions:
1.
Oversee and co-ordinate the SASSI assessment process including the following: o Conduct key sustainability research to underpin SASSI assessments. o Co-ordinate SASSI assessment process, which includes public participation and external review processes o Ensure electronic database of SASSI assessments is kept up to date, in collaboration with
SASSI Consumer Awareness programme manager
2.
Provide strategic leadership of WWF-SA’s fisheries improvement work o In collaboration with the Sustainable Fisheries Programme team, identify, develop and implement projects to address specific sustainability challenges in Southern African fisheries. o Implement and maintain an effective monitoring and reporting system for fishery improvement projects.
3.
Contribute to a strong partner-based approach to addressing conservation and development issues in South African fisheries: o Develop fisheries decision support tools and environmental impact mitigation experiments o Provide technical input on fisheries related issues with regards to the Responsible
Fisheries training programme, WWF-SASSI consumer queries and retailer assessments, etc
4.
Ensure WWF-SA continues to play a leadership role in addressing conservation and development issues in the Southern African fisheries: o Stay up-to-date with emerging knowledge, issues and policies relating to fisheries, aquaculture and market-related conservation initiatives. o Ensure effective linkages with other WWF Programmes and other relevant organisations working in the field. o Represent WWF-SA on the Responsible Fisheries Alliance and relevant government fisheries working groups.
5.
Perform further duties as specified by the Manager: Seafood Market Transformation including inter alia: o Work with SASSI Manager and Marine comms coordinator on fisheries related comms activities, including events, awareness materials, public queries, newsletters, website, champion skipper programme etc o When appropriate, act as a representative spokesperson for WWF South Africa’s fisheries work. o Contribute to fund-raising efforts to develop WWF’s fisheries work.
Skills/Requirements
 A tertiary post-graduate qualification in a marine and/or conservation related field (specific knowledge around fisheries management and conservation will be advantageous);
 At least 2 years of work experience in multi-disciplinary project management and multi-stakeholder initiatives natural resource management, experience and/or knowledge of Southern African fisheries legislation and stakeholders would be advantageous.
 The successful candidate must be skilled in communications (written and verbal) with strong scientific report writing skills.

 Self-motivated, with strong administrative and project management skills
 Passion for the conservation of nature and the involvement of people and businesses in the implementation of practical solutions to the challenges facing the marine environment;
 Collaborative spirit and ability to work in team settings across cultures and internally within a diverse institution;
 Computer literacy in MS Office (MS Word), spread sheets (Excel), email and presentations (MS
PowerPoint);
 Excellent communication skills in English and proficient in at least one other language, Afrikaans or
Xhosa
 Valid driver’s license and own transportation essential
Further Information:
To apply for this position, please provide a detailed CV and covering letter fully motivating why you should be appointed, together with the names, current e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of three relevant references to hr@wwf.org.za
. Applications close on 21 Oct 2013.
WWF seeks to promote diversity among its staff. Candidates who have not received a response within three weeks of the closing date are kindly requested to assume that their application has not been successful in this instance. WWF-SA reserves the right not to fill this position.