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The Belize Reef Resilience Specialist will report to the Super Reefs Project Manager with a dotted line to the Global Reef Lead and Belize Oceans Manager, and will be responsible for the following:
•    Lead development and execution of the Belize Super Reefs workplan, resulting in critical protection of the region’s Super Reefs and critical coral ecosystems, with input and buy-in from team members.
•    Coordinate with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), Stanford, and Belize partners on project goals and implementation, including clear articulation of team roles and responsibilities.
•    Prepare budgets and lead budget tracking to ensure deliverables and expenses are processed on time and within budget.
•    Define and track metrics for Super Reefs.
•    Organize and facilitate internal monthly calls with Belize team and Project Manager to communicate project status and updates, report delays or problems so these can be addressed and identify barriers to project success.
•    Manage contracts and grants.
•    Serve as primary point of contact for Super Reefs Project in Belize including regular coordination with Global Reefs team, research partners, and development of updates for donor reporting.
•    Convene Super Reefs meetings with key stakeholders to introduce the project and solicit input on project and desired outcomes; continue stakeholder engagement efforts with local community/government/NGO partners throughout project.
•    Obtain necessary permits for research and installation of equipment.
•    Consolidate and share existing data (e.g., bathymetric/benthic/temperature/ salinity/ bleaching, etc.) from Belize to validate model outputs.
•    In close collaboration with WHOI, validate super reef sites with existing benthic data (coral cover, community composition, bleaching response) and local knowledge.
•    Provide logistical support to organize field visits.
•    Deploy temperature/flow sensors on the reef; collect data from sensor in collaboration with WHOI.
•    In close collaboration with Stanford, conduct heat stress tests on reef-building corals; genotyping to quantify thermal thresholds and characterize genetic diversity.
•    Work with Stanford, WHOI, and local partners to develop map of priority super reef sites based on criteria (thermal tolerance, genetic diversity, larval connectivity); overlay with other key data (threats, uses) to inform protection.
•    Align Super Reefs Project with other related projects in Belize.
•    Integrate priority Super Reef locations into MPA design for national MPA targets (e.g. 20%: 30X30) and/or site management plans.
•    If restoration capacity/interest exists locally, lead restoration efforts including propagation of thermally resistant corals in coral nurseries (if applicable) for out-planting.
•    Build capacities among stakeholders and partners on restoration related issues, best practices in managing for reef resilience, etc. These activities can be performed directly or by contracting or by coordinating with others.
•    Communicate project results with managers, decision makers, spatial planners, communities, donors and governments to raise awareness of importance of protecting, managing and restoring well-connected SR.

•    BA/BS, marine science degree and 5 years’ experience in natural resource management or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
•    Experience managing projects, including staffing, managing finances and workloads under deadlines, and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.
•    Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
•    Experience negotiating complex agreements.
•    Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in writing and verbally.
•    Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Web Browsers.
•    Experience in training and curriculum design.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•    Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
•    Knowledge of management conservation practice and conservation science.
•    Ability to explain conservation practices to technical and non-technical audiences.
•    Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, management, and natural resource preservation.
•    Completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
•    Excellent communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
•    Supervisory experience including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.

This is a 3-year Term Contract with the posibility of an extention based on funding.

To apply for job ID 53558, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by 11:59 PM EST on June 21st, 2023. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.