Palau Fisheries Program Manager

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

Building upon a strong foundation of science, partnership, and field demonstration, Conservation International (CI) helps societies responsibly and sustainably care for nature, our global biodiversity, for the well-being of humanity. The ocean is the biggest food system on our planet, and increased demand for seafood, weak governance, and social vulnerability continue to place human rights at risk in global fisheries. Human rights violations in the seafood industry include forced labor, human trafficking, institutionalized inequality, undermining of food and livelihood security, and loss of access rights. Reconciling our ocean protection goals with our need to meet global food demand and secure local food security for coastal communities, will require altering business-as-usual policies and business practices in the seafood sector. Our goal is to help supply meet demand while conserving key seascapes — this requires an integrated approach that balances protection and production in some of the world’s most biologically important places. Conservation International (CI) is working to improve the conservation and sustainable management of the world’s oceans. Our Global Fisheries and Aquaculture Program has committed to improve management of at least 20 fisheries and aquaculture areas by 2027, with the aim that by 2030, 75% of seafood globally is produced using socially responsible and environmentally sustainable methods.

CI is designing and implementing Jurisdictional Approach (JA) initiatives that simultaneously deploy policy and market-based approaches to drive environmental sustainability and social responsibility in Pacific tuna fisheries. JA projects are place-based initiatives in commodity producing regions that drive sustainability through aligned incentives amongst key stakeholders, including producers, government, and supply chain companies (Kittinger et al. 2021). These initiatives seek to improve the environmental, social, and economic performance of fisheries within a defined production geography (the “jurisdiction”). The size of a jurisdiction is defined by environmental, governance, market, and finance attributes of production, which should ultimately enable the effective deployment of policy and market-based strategies to secure long-term fishery sustainability. Policy levers are critical to drive fishery improvements, while market recognition is vital to ensure long-term traction and success.

In the Pacific Islands region, CI has worked for over 20 years to advocate for informed policies, based in science and community-led implementation and stewardship of natural resources. CI has worked with Palau for over 15 years, partnering with the government and has a signed MOU with H.E. Surangel Whipps, Jr, President of the Republic of Palau, to support the implementation of Palau’s Blue Prosperity Plan.

POSITION SUMMARY – This position is based in Palau

Specifically, the Sustainable Fisheries Program Manager will oversee implementation of two new projects – the “Transforming Ocean Governance and Pacific Tuna: Scaling Market Innovation, Jurisdictional Initiatives, and Marine Protection for Sustainable and Equitable Futures” funded by the Walmart Foundation and the “Blue Palau – Advancing Sustainable Fisheries for Conservation and Economic Prosperity” project funded by the Goh Foundation. In this capacity, the Sustainable Fisheries Program Manager will lead on program delivery, project design specific for Palau activities, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting for these two projects.

The Sustainable Fisheries Program Manager works across CI to build strong relationships to advance program initiatives. They represent CI and work to build alliances with the community and external partners/stakeholders who are critical to program success. The Sustainable Fisheries Program Manager supports the program’s financial well-being by playing a role in identifying program funding sources and developing and managing funding relationships with partners and prospects.

They work with program and HQ staff on proposals and funding initiatives. This position does not manage staff. They work under general direction.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develops and implements Palau program strategies, work plans, and monitoring frameworks and metrics.
• Provides project management and technical oversight for Palau’s sustainable fisheries programs, as well as periodic progress and metric reports.
• Promotes information sharing and builds stakeholder understanding in Palau and support by developing fact sheets, statistics, and related communication materials when needed.
• Shares best practices and lessons learned relevant to Palau’s context.
• Represents CI Palau as a key technical resource and builds alliances with key external stakeholders, including human and labour rights groups, government and NGO officials, donors, and others critical to project success.
• Identifies capacity building needs and supports efforts to address capacity gaps.
• Co-leads dissemination of project results, including but not limited to presentations to partners, stakeholders, government, RFMOs, etc., about human rights issues and improvements in Pacific Island tuna fisheries.
• Leads the implementation of workstreams as outlined in the two projects within Palau.
• Ensures compliance with CI policies, program, and funding agreements, and local requirements
• Effectively engage stakeholders, including donors, government and NGOs, technical colleagues, and other partners important to program success.
• Represents the organization externally and serves as a trusted point of contact for CI.
• Identifies opportunities for program growth and development.
• Supports program financial sustainability by identifying funding opportunities.
• Partner with CI and HQ staff on funding proposals and contribute to regional/global fundraising efforts.
• Perform any other related duties as assigned in support of CI’s work in Palau

Additional Responsibilities

• The Sustainable Fisheries Program Manager will contribute to further development of sustainable fisheries-related programs and projects for CI Palau, as needed.
• Will ensure proper information management related to sustainable fisheries, including monitoring and keeping up-to-date and accurate files with key documents for all projects.
• Will collaborate with the rest of the CI Palau Country team and the Pacific Field Management Unit to support cross-regional thinking, sharing, and delivery at best-in-class levels.
• Will liaise with the Center for Oceans, Center for Regenerative Economies, country programs, and Pacific FMU staff, and other relevant CI Divisions, to ensure coordination with aligned initiatives.

People and Resource Management Responsibilities

• Does not directly supervise staff.
• Manages program and project budgets and finances.
• Manage public and/or private funds; ensure compliance with donor requirements and CI policies.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Occasional travel of 20% or more as needed.
• Ability to work in remote locations and/or under difficult working conditions.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field (e.g., human rights, environmental and/or social sciences, fisheries, natural resources management, law, business, international development, conservation, or other related field).
• 4 to 6 years of related work experience.
• Strong understanding of marine conservation, Palau’s national aspiration to develop a domestic pelagic fishery and relevant socioeconomic development issues.
• Experience working with Palauan fishers and representative organizations, fishing communities, the fishing industry representatives and relevant government agencies.
• Program or project management experience, preferably in the conservation, NGO, advocacy, or related for-profit arena.
• Strong technical and analytical skills.
• Strong organization and time management skills. Proven ability to prioritize and meet deadlines and turn vision and strategies into outcomes.
• Team player and able to work effectively with diverse working groups in a multicultural environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to multitask and meet priorities. Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and under minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects or initiatives involving multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Success in influencing and partnering with key stakeholders.
• Adept at working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities with limited supervision.
• Fluency in Palauan and English required.

Preferred

• Proven ability to understand and work well at all levels within Palau’s cultural context.
• Strong leadership and diplomacy skills.

To apply for this position, please submit a resume and cover letter.

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

Conservation International is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals. We believe in hiring based on merit and qualifications, ensuring a fair and inclusive hiring process for everyone.