WWF-SA Marine Science and RFA Coordinator at WWF South Africa

Description    

•  (2-year contractual position based in Newlands, Cape Town)
• WWF is the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organisation, with over 6 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.
• WWF South Africa is a national office that is part of the WWF network. We are a local NGO that has worked for 50 years with the aim of inspiring all South Africans to live in harmony with nature, for the benefit of our country and the wellbeing of all our people. WWFs work is for nature, for you.
• Our work is challenging and exciting and we love what we do. To join our team, you need to be brilliant at what you do, passionate, results-orientated and have a positive attitude.

Background

• WWF South Africa is a solution-driven organisation that constructively engages with government, companies and individuals to meet our goal of a sustainable future in which people live in harmony with nature. In over 50 years of conservation work in South Africa, WWF has increasingly played a leading role in facilitating the attitudes of people, business and government towards the environment which has resulted in tangible and lasting conservation outcomes.
• The unsustainable harvest of the world’s oceans has led to the depletion, and in some cases collapse, of many of the world’s major fish stocks. While the outlook for these threatened marine ecosystems remains bleak in the face of unsustainable fishing practices, those involved in the seafood industry are realising that by changing the way they conduct business now, the long-term viability of their industry can be ensured. Developing a sustainable seafood industry goes beyond focusing on the individual components of sustainable fishing. It requires a holistic approach, addressing all aspects along the chain of custody from the fisherman’s hook all the way to the final product delivered to the consumer at their local fish shop or restaurant. The WWF-SA Marine portfolio (Fisheries Pillar) bases its work ethos on this premise and works directly with the fishing industry and the retailers and suppliers which procure from them, through to the Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (WWF-SASSI) which focuses on raising awareness amongst restaurants, chefs and consumers. 
• The WWF-SA Marine portfolio (Fisheries Pillar) aims to create a climate for the successful implementation on an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) in South Africa. A key focus of this work is to provide independent credible assessments of the status of marine wild-capture and farmed species and to create market-based incentives for responsible fisheries practices by increasing the market demand for sustainable seafood. At the same time, by identifying sustainability challenges through the WWF-SASSI assessment process and working collaboratively with the fisheries involved to address these challenges. WWF-SA also prides itself as being at the forefront of developing innovative solutions to fishery sustainability challenges through hosting and co-ordinating the Responsible Fisheries Alliance – the only coalition of its kind.  In order to achieve its goal of moving fisheries towards responsible and sustainable practices, WWF-SA is seeking to appoint a Marine Science and RFA Coordinator.

Minimum Requirements    

• A MSc in Fisheries, Environmental Science, Marine Biology/ Environmental Science Management, or related field
• At least 3-4 years of work experience in multi-disciplinary project management and multi-stakeholder initiatives. (Natural resource management experience and/or knowledge of Southern African fisheries legislation and stakeholders would be advantageous.)
• Demonstrable understanding of the seafood industry
• Self-motivated, with strong administrative and project management skills (including financial management and contracting)
• Ability to deliver results while managing competing priorities under tight deadlines.
• Collaborative spirit and ability to work in team settings across cultures and internally within a diverse institution.
• Computer literacy.
• Passion for the conservation of nature and the involvement of businesses in the implementation of practical solutions to the challenges facing the marine environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills; confident in public speaking.
• Fluency in English.
• Valid driver’s license and own transportation essential.

Duties and Responsibilities    
1. Co-ordinate the WWF-SASSI assessment process including the following:

• Identify list of priority species to be assessed in consultation with the broader marine team.
• Conduct key research to underpin WWF-SASSI assessments.
• Led by and in collaboration with the Senior Marine Scientist, work to develop draft WWF-SASSI assessments for local species using the WWF Common Assessment Methodology.
• Coordinate the inclusion of international assessments for species imported in South Africa onto the WWF-SASSI List.
• Led by and in collaboration with the Senior Marine Scientist, coordinate the WWF-SASSI assessment process, which includes public participation and external review processes.
• Participate as member of the CAM WWF Network, ensuring that South African species relevant to WWF Network partners are assessed by WWF-SA and cross-checked by the Network.
• With the Senior Marine Scientist, coordinate the inclusion of social criteria into the Common Assessment Methodology for Wild Capture Species
• Ensure electronic database of WWF-SASSI assessments are kept up to date;
• Ensure that all WWF-SASSI tools (website, app, posters and pocket cards) are updated regularly;
• Engage with the WWF Global Network on species assessment-related matters.
• Represent WWF-SA as a Scientific Observer at relevant DFFE Scientific Working Group Meetings.
• Provide scientific input on any marine related queries, publications and/or campaigns for WWF-SASSI and Retailer /Supplier participation scheme.
• Work with WWF-SASSI Manager and WWF-SA Communications team on fisheries related communications activities including events, awareness materials, newsletters, websites, media content, etc.
• The RFA Co-ordinator will serve a secretariat function and will be responsible for supporting the establishment of a broader, more inclusive and impactful RFA in taking forward an EAFs well as oversee the following:
• Preparation, co-ordination, convening and follow-up of RFA Steering Committee meetings including preparing relevant discussion documents.
• Chairing, preparation, co-ordination, convening and follow up of RFA Projects Working Group (PWG) meetings including preparing relevant discussion documents.
• Capturing and circulating minutes of RFA Steering Committee and working group minutes.
• Project administration – developing project proposals and contracts, managing project implementation and reporting.
• Supporting the Training Working Group (TWG) to meet its objectives by:
  • Overseeing the maintenance and update of the RFA Basic Training Course and the RFA One-Day Refresher Training Course materials to ensure that it remains in line with the latest international trends whilst incorporating feedback from RFA members and facilitators.
  • Collect registers on completion of all training courses and regularly update the RFA training database.
  • Develop and undertake robust Monitoring and Evaluation for RFA training to monitor the long-term impact and trends in training.
  • Facilitate a minimum of four RFA training courses per annum.
  • Facilitating the development of the training posters or alternative media as agreed by the TWG.
• Supporting the Communications Working Group to fulfil its mandate by undertaking the following:
• Drafting of any relevant media statements and alternative publications
• Supporting any other communications activities as identified by the CWG.
• Developing recommendations and position statements to facilitate implementation and championing of RFA project outcomes.
• In collaboration with the Senior Marine Scientist and Senior Manager: Marine Portfolio lobby government on RFA positions and table relevant documents at DFFE working group meetings.
• Management of all RFA expenditure and financial statements.
• Lead on the implementation of specifically identified projects in the Marine Portfolio relevant to seafood market transformation and in doing so help WWF achieved its strategic outcomes.
• Contribute to fund-raising efforts to develop WWF-SA’s Marine Portfolio
• Support administration, management and implementation of relevant Marine Portfolio and Markets initiatives when necessary.
• Support relevant collaborative and integration initiatives within WWF-SA.