The Mediterranean Marine Initiative (MMI) is a concerted, coordinated, transformative effort that brings together 8 WWF’s offices in the region, cooperating under a Program Agreement and a joint conservation strategy. The MMI brings together the collective intelligence, capacity, and experience of WWF in the Mediterranean region to achieve stronger conservation impact through crafting innovative solutions, foster alliances and act as a catalyst for change in ocean conservation. The MMI has a light coordination structure, with a decision-making Board formed by CEOs and a Leadership Team formed by a director, and 2 managers.
One of the pillars of the MMI strategy is strongly focused on ecosystem protection through effective MPAs and small scale fisheries management. The level of protection of the Mediterranean Sea is largely inadequate. In particular, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are too few, not ecologically representative of the Mediterranean biodiversity and not effectively managed. The Mediterranean is also a critical source of food security, well-being and livelihoods for millions of fishermen and local people. Small-scale fisheries (SSF) employ directly over 137 thousand fishers and generate jobs for another 150 thousand people. They represent more than 50% of the whole fishing sector in the region. At the same time, 73% of Mediterranean fish stocks are overfished, while certain species of high economic and commercial value are in an alarming state due to over-exploitation.
The WWF’s Mediterranean Marine Initiative is engaging actors involved in protection and management of marine resources towards a threshold where marine biodiversity conservation becomes a political, economic and social priority and MPAs and co-management approach to fisheries become tools of choice to ensure sustainable management of marine ecosystems.
The Mediterranean Marine Initiative develops and implements projects in support of several fishers communities in 10 Mediterranean countries (Albania, Algeria, Croatia, France, Italy, Greece, Libya, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey) to become effective and fully operational, including committed and engaged stakeholders organised in co-management systems, management plans, and financing mechanisms to secure long-term operations and sustainability. The Unit also supports local NGOs, fishery organisations, and MPA authorities to ensure that political commitment is maintained, that management, monitoring, and enforcement are appropriate, and that adequate funding and staff is allocated to manage coastal and marine resources.
The Fisheries Project Manager will provide support in particular to the regional project entitled “Transforming Mediterranean SSF in the Mediterranean phase 2” This is a multi-country, multi-partner project led and managed by WWF MMI. This project aims at implementing conservation actions (including innovative ones, e.g., from a financial or management/legislative perspective) through the constant involvement of stakeholders on the ground (SSF fishers), at national ministries level, and in the international contexts. Coordination of the WWF’s field and national teams working at these various levels is therefore of critical importance, and needs to be constantly monitored. Duties include project management (assigning tasks, reporting, supervision of operations, support to field teams, setting up meetings, tracking and submitting invoices), internal and external communications (coordinating fact sheets, preparation of communications material for distribution), and coordination with partners and donors. The incumbent may be expected to travel to support the projects.
Duty Station: Rome, Italy
Reports to: Regional Project Manager, Fisheries, Mediterranean Marine Initiative
Contract: fixed term – 24 months with possibly of extension
Main responsibilities:
- Manage the implementation of fisheries projects, specifically those linked to the Small-Scale Fisheries portfolio;
- Ensure project progress/impact monitoring on the basis of project result monitoring frameworks, and provide input for the MMI strategy monitoring dashboard;
- Ensure project technical reporting to donors and assists administration in project financial reporting; regularly update WWF Conservation Project Management database;
- Ensure management of the project implementation partnerships and support project partner’s due diligence when required;
- Ensure project compliance with WWF Social & Environmental Safeguard policy and supports development and implementation of E&S risk management plans in project field sites;
- Support the implementation of other regional projects and/or specific pilot/country projects as needed and agreed with Supervisor;
- Support project’s teams and partners in implementing and delivering on work-plans, reports, monitor progress on budget allocation and spending;
- Identify challenges and provide solutions in the implementation of the field components of the fisheries projects assigned;
- Identify the most suitable technical experts to assist project’s teams and organize their missions in the pilot sites;
- Facilitate workshops/meetings;
- Create synergies among field projects, disseminates results and lessons learned across partners;
- Conducts missions in the project’s sites and/or other countries in accordance with the work-plan defined within the projects;
- Ensures that WWF standards, procedures and guidelines are respected and complied with.
- Support the implementation of the MMI Strategy and its Action Plans;
- Support the development of project proposals and other fundraising initiatives;
- Embraces the WWF mission and core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration.
- Clearly demonstrates behaviours aligned to the culture of WWF: Strive for Impact, Listen Deeply, Collaborate Openly and Innovate Fearlessly;
- Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.
Required Skills and Competencies
- Undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in environmental studies, marine and fisheries sciences, natural resources management, or a related field;
- At least 5 years experience in the implementation of field projects related to small scale fisheries management, co-management;
- Proven experience in project management at a global or regional level;
- Strong verbal and written communication and ability to effectively communicate with individuals from a variety of disciplines, cultures and backgrounds;
- Capacity to work on multiple projects at the same time and detail-oriented;
- Experience working in an international environment;
- Excellent organizational and prioritization skills;
- Resourceful and ability to work proactively and efficiently with tight deadlines and turn-around;
- Able to support an event or workshop in foreign countries;
- Strong computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office software;
- Familiarity with WWF policies, values and procedures is an advantage;
- Fluency in English. French or other Mediterranean languages a plus;
- Identifies and aligns with the core values of the WWF organisation: Courage, Integrity, Respect and Collaboration.
Working Relationships
Internal: Reports to the MMI Regional Project Manager, Fisheries; works closely with the assigned Project Administrator in the Finance & Administration Unit; works closely with MMI project communication staff; interacts frequently with other members of the regional MMI team and project implementation staff in MMI WWF partner offices.
External: Interacts regularly with project implementation partners; interacts and communicates with project stakeholders; participates in WWF Network and Ocean Practice working groups as requested by the supervisor.
HOW TO APPLY
Please send your updated CV and Cover Letter in English in a single PDF file to the following email address applications@wwfmedpo.org indicating in the subject “Application – Project Manager, Fisheries, Mediterranean Marine Initiative”.
Application deadline: Sunday March 12th 2023.
Please consider that due to the high volume of applications only selected candidates will be contacted.
WWF is an equal opportunity employer and committed to having a diverse workforce.
