The United States Agency for International Development’s Sustainable Interventions for Biodiversity, Oceans and Landscapes (USAID SIBOL) Activity is a five-year natural resources management and biodiversity conservation project implemented through a consortium composed of Research Triangle Institute International as prime agreement holder; Center for Conservation Innovations PH Inc.; Forest Foundation Philippines; Resources, Environment and Economics Center for Studies Inc.; and the Zoological Society of London. The project works with the Philippine government to achieve its goals of improving natural resource security and governance, sustainably managing natural resources and reducing environmental crime, leading to greater ecosystem stability and inclusive green growth.
A component of the project is the Blue Recovery Framework which involves initiatives geared towards strengthening of locally managed MPA networks in SIPLAS and MOBPLS. SIBOL will be working with local community champions, POs, LGUs, DENR-PAMO and BFAR in the development and adoption of MPA management plans. SIBOL will also assist in the demarcation of MPA zones and in capacitating the identified MPA management council members on managing their MPAs. The MPA monitoring teams (which include LGU technical staff, DENR-PAMO and academe) formed in year 3 will be mobilized to establish fixed monitoring sites and in the conduct of the MPA biophysical monitoring surveys and of the MPA Management Effectiveness Assessment Tool (MEAT) workshops. In coordination with government and consortium partners, these activities are conducted by a pool of community organizers, technical staff and marine biologists of ZSL-Philippines in which the job holder will be working with.
The successful applicant will be based in ZSL-Philippines country office in Iloilo City with corresponding fieldwork and travel to project sites providing support to the marine technical team. He/she will work directly with SIBOL Project’s Project Technical Lead, who will provide guidance and instructions on daily tasks, data and information to be collected and reports to be generated.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Supports the preparation of comprehensive annual and quarterly reports, work plans and budget consistent with approved SIBOL Project’s Strategic Actions;
- Works with ZSL Philippines SIBOL Project’s Project Manager and Project Technical Lead in the preparation of the Marine Team and individual monthly work targets, ensuring cost-efficient and cost-effective utilization of project resources;
- Ensures reporting of monthly accomplishments and fieldwork costs in accordance with existing policies and guidelines;
- Reviews accomplishments and activity reports to systematically draw out lessons learned, identify issues, concerns, and mitigating measures to improve team and individual performance levels;
- Ensures compliance to existing health, SCUBA diving and water safety protocols of ZSL Philippines;
- Represents the ZSL Philippines’ SIBOL Project’s Marine Team in periodic project management team meetings and events;
- Assists the ZSL Philippines SIBOL Project’s Project Manager in the preparation of periodic progress reports to RTI and ZSL’s senior management;
- Ensures the use of ZSL Philippines SIBOL Projects’ database as platform for project documentation, proper management & storage of datasets and information, timely completion of project reports and in accordance with ZSL’s and RTI’s guidelines;
- Plans and implements biophysical assessment and monitoring surveys in support to the Protected Area Management Board and the Protected Area Management Office;
- Spearheads GIS work of SIPLAS and MOBPLS locally managed MMPAs through spatial planning and generation of relevant vector data, technical descriptions and map layouts;
- Co-lead gathering data, analysis and preparation of habitat assessment and monitoring reports, ensuring results are accessible to the team, for the enhancement and/or updating of the protected areas’ general management plans;
- Provides technical support and relevant data to inform formulation and periodic assessments and updating of protected areas’ general management plans;
- Provides technical inputs on the identification, development and implementation of marine ecosystem-related biodiversity friendly enterprises (BDFEs);
- Supports the preparation and implementation of Blue Carbon plan that will be laid out by the ZSL Blue Carbon Consultant;
- Spearhead establishment, management and monitoring of proposed MPAs in SIPLAS and MOBPLS;
- Facilitate MEAT/METT workshops to evaluate performance and effectiveness of PAs and MPAs;
- Facilitate and conduct training of relevant ZSL and partner staff, and community members in data collection, processing, and monitoring and evaluation;
- Conduct consultation meetings, IECs in SIBOL key sites pertaining to MPA establishment and strengthening;
- Assists in presentation and lobbying of MOA, MPA Management Plan adoption for institutionalization of budget in LGU AIP;
- Supports formation of MPA management body and Composite PA monitoring Team;
- Assists in strengthening capacities of MPAMB, and monitoring team;
- Spearhead in planning of work schedules, organization and recording of expenses and oversight of travel logistics and safekeeping of project assets; and
- Prepares monthly and annual activity plans and related reports.
- Liaises with communities, POs, LGUs, government agencies, academe, private and NGO project partners;
- Leads the inventory, maintenance and safekeeping of scuba gears and other field equipment; and
- Establish and maintain good working relationships with partners.
Education, Skills and Other Requirements
- With PADI Advanced Open Water SCUBA diver or any other equivalent certification or higher
- A university degree holder in biology, environmental science, conservation, marine science, fisheries, or natural resource management;
- Demonstrated capacity in technical report-writing;
- Extensive experience in planning, implementing, analysis, reporting, and communicating results of biophysical and fisheries assessments and monitoring work;
- Strong track record in multi-stakeholder collaborations along the areas of MPA science/work;
- Good grasp of relevant conservation, development, and policy environment in the Philippines that impact marine ecosystems;
- Strong organisational, interpersonal and presentation skills;
- Proven ability to work effectively with team members and senior management levels;
- Confidence in undertaking collaborative works with key project partners, including local governments, NGOs, POs and other civil society organizations, line agencies, research institutions, etc;
- Prior experience in community-based marine conservation projects;
- Computer literate with good skills in operating Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and GIS programs;
- With strong communication skills both community and local government level; and
- With good command of English both oral and written.
We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination. ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group.