Africa Oceans Fellow

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Conservation International (CI) has been protecting nature for the benefit of all for over 30 years. Through science, policy, and partnerships, CI is helping build a healthier, more prosperous and more productive planet.

With 38 of Africa’s 54 nations being coastal or island states, there is a significant dependence on the oceans for livelihoods and economic development. Despite this, Africa’s marine areas are some of the least protected spaces on Earth. The absence of effective governance for marine environments, overexploitation of natural resources, and pollution are weakening the ocean’s ability to support a growing population. We must reverse these trends and ensure that Africa’s Oceans continue to provide for its people.

We work to better understand Africa’s Ocean resources and services, protect, and restore coastal ecosystems, promote sustainable fisheries, and tackle plastic pollution. We are identifying and developing new value chains for coastal and marine resources, engaging with the tourism industry across the continent, and creating jobs that engage Africa’s populations in the management of its Oceans. These are in line with the African Union declaration of 2015 to 2025 as the ‘Decade of African Seas and Oceans – Harnessing the Blue Economy in Achieving the African Union Agenda 2063′.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Technical Fellowship program hosts conservation Fellows who work to create dynamic and unconventional approaches to address barriers to sustainability and contribute to a shift in how nature is valued and protected. These Fellowships provide unparalleled opportunities for intensive focus and achievement at the intersection of climate, conservation, business, and technology.

The program engages experts to provide fresh thinking and extensive leadership to CI’s work around the world. With 2-year contracts, the Fellows will be able to expand the breadth of their skills, gain valuable experience in their fields, and find innovative solutions together with CI ​program staff and local partners.

The Africa Ocean’s Fellow will provide much-needed capacity to realize our work in Africa’s Oceans, ensure fundraising, partnership development, and delivery. The Fellow will work between the Africa Field Division and the Center for Oceans to capitalize on the momentum created in the Western Indian Oceans and the Gulf of Guinea, to scope additional investments and build capacities needed to sustain this program.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. AFRICA OCEAN STRATEGY COMPLETION: The Fellow will work with key members of the Africa Field Division and the Center for Oceans to finalize CI’s Africa Oceans Strategy and oversee its implementation,

     

  2. Initial focus on Mozambique and the WIO

  3. Secondary focus on building out the Gulf of Guinea

  4. Scoping the Atlantic Coast and other areas to be defined

  5. MOZAMBIQUE SEASCAPE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION: Work with the Africa Field Division, The Center for Oceans, and key partners to develop and initiate implementation of the Mozambique Seascape Vision (Year 1)

  6. Finalize seascape vision and action plan

  7. Secure funding

  8. Develop partnership MOUs as needed

  9. Oversee initial activities including biological and socioeconomic assessments, stakeholder consultations, planning exercises, etc.

  10. PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND STEWARDSHIP: The Fellow will represent CI and engage directly with key stakeholders including civil society, national and regional government authorities, local communities, and existing multi-stakeholder platforms to collaborate on marine and coastal initiatives. The objective of these interactions will be to build relationships and trust, develop agreements, and outline action plans that identify and define CI’s contributions and those of partners within Africa’s marine system. These include but are not limited to:

  11. Blue Nature Alliance

  12. IUCN

  13. WIO Multi-Stakeholder Initiative (Great Blue Wall)

  14. The Nairobi Convention

  15. The Abidjan Convention

  16. Global Mangrove Alliance

  17. TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP: Provide technical expertise in marine management, fisheries management, and climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts, working with key resource people throughout CI as and where needed to support both CI Africa projects and those of our partners. (Ongoing)

  18. FUNDRAISING: Work with the Field Division and Center for Oceans to ensure that the Africa Oceans strategy is adequately funded (by year 2)

  19. Work with the Sr. Director of Development to raise funds to support the Africa oceans program and projects, including identifying and cultivating new sources of funding from national, regional, and international sources and ensure efficient proposal development.

  20. Support fundraising efforts jointly with the Center for Oceans and other divisions across CI to increase the portfolio of marine and coastal projects.

  21. In coordination with national, regional, and global teams, write proposals, lead proposal teams, meet with donors, identify new donors, accompany donors on-site visits.

  22. Work with the conservation finance division to scope funding opportunities such as carbon offsets, payment for environmental services, endowment funds, and impact investments

  23. COMMUNICATION AND NETWORKING: Serve as the CI representative in various Ocean Fora

  24. Communicate the Africa oceans strategy, program, projects, and results to internal and external audiences.

  25. Represent the Africa oceans program at internal and external meetings and events

  26. Seek out, share and convene meetings around science and knowledge that affect Africa’s oceans strategy and program.

  27. Coordinate a network of staff working on oceans in Africa

PEOPLE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES: The Africa Oceans Fellow will not manage staff but may direct the work of vendors or interns. They will not have the authority to allocate resources or approve budget expenditures.

WORKING CONDITIONS

  • The position is based in any of CI offices in Africa (Kenya, Botswana, South Africa, Liberia, or Madagascar)
  • Normal office environment with up to 50% local, regional, and international travel for high-level meetings and field site visits.
  • Availability to deal with pressing business, emergencies, and unanticipated crises or opportunities that may arise related to CI’s institutional needs or management, including outside of normal office hours.
  • Ability to work extended hours to meet deadlines.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent of) in biology, marine science, oceanography, fisheries, environmental studies, natural resources management geography, or a field related to ocean conservation and management.
  • Minimum of 7 years of experience with an ocean conservation-related organization, government agency, or private sector preferably in developing countries or in relation to them.
  • Specific experience in supporting programmatic planning by linking strategic plans and work plans.
  • Experience in engaging with multistakeholder platforms and initiatives.
  • Strong proven technical abilities in marine conservation or similar fields
  • Proven experience in fundraising.
  • Strong communication and networking skills.
  • Excellent writing skills, preferably writing skills capable of peer-review publishing.
  • Self-starter, willing to take initiative on solving problems and providing follow-on assistance.
  • Ability to negotiate and resolve conflicts in collaborative teamwork and in meetings.
  • Proven ability to multitask and meet priorities. Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and under minimal supervision.
  • Fluency in English

Preferred

  • Master’s Degree
  • Fluency in Portuguese strongly preferred

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

Application Deadline: 6/7/2021 (11:49 PM EST)

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

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