WWF South Pacific Programme Office
JOB DESCRIPTION
Position title
National Coordinator ‘Building Resilience’
project
Department
Sustainable Coastal Resource Use
Management (SCRUM)
Location
Suva, Fiji
Position title of supervisor
SCRUM Programme Co-ordinator
Position title(s) which also report
to supervisor
Conservation Director, Marine Species
Coordinator, Fisheries Policy Officer, CTI
Pacific Advisor
Positions titles that report to this
position
Field Project Officer
Hours
37.5 hours per week
Contract period
Fixed Term
Date position description approved
June 2012
Approved by
Representative
I. Organisational background:
The WWF-SPPO is considered a regional hub for the Pacific Islands Region. As
well as continuing to implement conservation on the ground in Fiji and in other
Pacific Island countries through partners, the office seeks to ensure that
engagement with the key regional level organizations, donors and stakeholders
in the Pacific are coordinated and effective on the issues of (i) Climate Change;
(ii) Offshore Fisheries; (iii) Inshore Marine Fisheries and Marine Protected Areas;
(iv) marine species conservation; and (v) Government Aid Agency engagement
and that desired policy messages and changes are communicated and supported
in their adoption for a wider sustainable management of Pacific Islands region
resources. This is undertaken in line with and in support of Pacific Island
Government priorities in an inclusive and harmonized manner. WWF-SPPO is also
developing a greater focus on tackling ecological footprint issues that arise from
economic activities such as tourism, sugar production, and commercial tuna
fishing, which impact on the environment’s biodiversity and community
livelihoods.
Under a new five year strategic plan, and going into its fourth year of
implementation, the WWF-SPPO will continue to focus its efforts on achieving
healthy, recovering and resilient marine ecosystems that provide improved
biodiversity, food security, livelihoods and well-being for dependent communities.
WWF-SPPO’s approach is therefore one of empowering key stakeholders and
conservation practitioners, working at community, national, regional and
international levels to strengthen, where necessary establish and implement
effective regional and national policies, governance processes, capacities and
knowledge sharing mechanisms which support sustainable resource management
and biodiversity conservation.
II.
Mission of the Building Resilience Project under SCRUM :
By 2014, the WWF SPPO is recognized as a WWF network and Pacific leader for
successfully building higher resilience of human communities, species and
ecosystems to the adverse impacts of climate change through the
implementation of adaptation measures across all of its conservation
programmes. It focuses efforts on building the capacity of communities to
strengthen their management plans and integrate key adaptation strategies
which are appropriate for their particular traditional coastal fishing grounds. It
builds on WWF SPPO’s research expertise on assessing the importance of
mangroves and uses innovative campaigns to raise the profile of these habitats
as key protectorates of Pacific Island coastal communities.
III. Major Functions:
The position leads and drives the implementation of the organisation’s building
resilience project which is largely responsible for – strengthening community
adaptation measures to the impacts of climate change in the Fiji Islands” , thus
the position leads and drives project implementation through effective
collaboration on the delivery of the programme of work with core project
partners. The position drives organisation collaboration with the network’s
building resilience project and other relevant programmes, and with national and
regional climate change adaptation programmes. The position works with the
Conservation Director on the development of relevant climate change adaptation
strategies, for WWF SPPO including though not limited to, funding and policy.
IV.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
Project Management and Implementation
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Responsible for the performance of the project team in delivering project
commitments
Add valuable input into the integration of building resilience strategies
Management, Technical, Facilitation and Reporting.
Manages project staff, partner, focal points and consultants to deliver
commitments
Ensure monitoring and realisation of project results.
Facilitates the preparation of project activity annual work plan and budget
and management of implementation
Plans and coordinate strategic meetings with project and external
partners.
Liaises with donor and authorises commitments of resources and
expenditures from project budget.
Prepares and edits all official project documents; bi annual and annual
reports, communication materials
Ensure communication of project outcomes and products follow WWF
branding guidelines as well as with partner branding requirements
Prepares, Technical, Policy and briefing papers for stakeholder and
national discussions
Serves as project focal point for all partner related activities and leads
effort to build partnerships for support of project detailed in project
outputs.
V.
Profile
Required Functional Skills
 Graduate qualification in a field relevant to the position (environmental
science, resource management and natural science).
 Background knowledge and understanding of the science behind global
climate change.
 At least a year experience in a civil society organization within the Pacific
Island region, with similar work experience in project management, media
relations, communications, advertising, product development of science
education materials.
Required Skills and Competencies
 Demonstrated ability in project management, particularly in relation to
conservation.
 Demonstrated ability to work both independently and in a team,
particularly in the implementation of cross-country activities and projects.
 Demonstrated ability in policy advocacy on sustainable resource
management or conservation issues at national and preferably at a
regional level.
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Sound understanding and preferably practical experience of communitybased management practices and inshore fisheries and habitat
management and conservation approaches.
Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to work
effectively with a range of partners.
Excellent communication skills, fluency in both written and spoken English
and Fijian. An understanding of Hindi is also advantageous.
Supervision experience is an advantage
Proven track record of working to timelines and budget
Have flexible approach and a willingness to work outside normal hours
Proven ability to set priorities while working under minimal supervision
Proven ability to work under pressure and meet strict reporting deadlines
Possesses drive and initiative, with a proven ability to achieve objectives
Demonstrated excellent PC based computer skills, preferably with current
Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
Adheres to WWF’s values, which are: Knowledge, Optimistic, Engaging
and Determined.
I. Working Relationships:
Internal - Engage with and build on existing relationships with WWF
fisheries and MPA/MMA programme staff, as required. In particular work
closely with the SPPO partner in Fiji, with WMPO partners, with CTNI, SFNI
and NGD NI regional and international teams, as well as with partner NGOs
and their affiliates. Also work closely with other SPPO conservation
programme components (Marine Species, Offshore and Climate Change),
Communications, M&E and Finance / Administration staff.
External - Responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with
relevant government departments, as well as environmental and development
orientated CSOs in Fiji. Responsible for developing and maintaining regular
contact with regional CROP Agencies (e.g. SPREP and SPC), the media, and
experts on target issues. The position holder will be the gatekeeper for
FLMMA and LMMA relations on climate change issues, as well as CTNI, CTI,
SFNI and NGD NI MPA/MMA and inshore fisheries engagement. Relationships
must also be built and maintained with international organizations of
relevance.
This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of
tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as
necessary according to organizational needs.
Prepared by Supervisor:
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Accepted by Representative:
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Accepted by Staff member:
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