opportunities

Interested candidates should send an e-mail with the subject line 'Marine Conservation Program Manager' and attach their CV and a cover letter describing their interest in and qualifications for this position to the Country Director, WCS Bangladesh (e-mail: wcsbangladesh@wcs.org). Please submit your application by 10 July 2024.

Please note that this is a readvertisement and no need to reapply if you have already applied.

Organization Background:

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, tax-exempt, private organization established in 1895 that saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity.

With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, presence in more than 50 nations, and experience helping to establish over 150 protected areas across the globe, WCS has amassed the biological knowledge, cultural understanding and partnerships to ensure that vibrant, wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities. Working with local communities and organizations, that knowledge is applied to address species, habitat and ecosystem management issues critical to improving the quality of life of poor rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct utilization of natural resources.

Our MISSION is to save wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education and inspiring people to value nature. Our VISION is a world where wildlife thrives in healthy lands and seas valued by societies that embrace and benefit from the diversity and integrity of life on earth. Our GOAL is to conserve the world’s largest wild places in 16 priority regions, home to more than 50% of the world’s biodiversity. Our VALUES are Respect, Accountability and Transparency, Innovation, Diversity and Inclusion, Collaboration, Integrity.           

Program Overview:

WCS has been actively engaged in Bangladesh since 2004 through applied conservation science, conservation action, policy recommendations, and educational outreach and training initiatives. WCS Bangladesh is registered with the Bangladesh NGO Affairs Bureau. We supported the Government of Bangladesh in establishing three Wildlife Sanctuaries to protect Asia’s last two remaining freshwater dolphin species in the Sundarbans, and all three of the country’s marine protected areas (MPA) to balance the protection of threatened marine megafauna, including cetaceans, sharks, rays, and marine turtles, with fishery needs.

Over the past ten years, WCS has partnered with the Bangladesh Forest Department, and more recently the Department of Fisheries, for strengthening compliance with international wildlife trade and protection obligations, including to CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) and CMS (Convention on Migratory Species). By facilitating multisectoral programs, WCS has strengthened national commitment and interagency collaborations, capacity, and policies with the Bangladesh Forest Department, Department of Fisheries, Customs, Police, Navy, Coast Guard and Border Guards Bangladesh for combatting illegal wildlife trade. Technical support and training provided by WCS enables SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) wildlife enforcement and monitoring patrols for improved protected area management. WCS Bangladesh established and maintains two citizen science networks for monitoring georeferenced fisheries effort and photo-verified marine wildlife catch and landings in addition to dedicated surveys. We enable national university students to gain hands-on experience with applied conservation science and educational outreach and mentorship to empower and motivate future conservation leadership. The WCS Bangladesh Program is part of the global WCS network. To learn more please visit www.wcs.org or bangladesh.wcs.org.

Job Summary:

The Marine Conservation Program Manager is responsible for the operational management of the WCS Bangladesh Marine Conservation Program and its roles including strategic program and project development, work planning and time management, financial and technical reporting, fundraising, providing capacity development opportunities and mentorship for the Program Team, and liaising and maintaining relationships with the relevant government agencies, departments and local government. In collaboration with the Marine Technical Advisor for WCS Bangladesh programme, the Marine Conservation Program Manager helps develop and implement a coherent Marine Conservation Programme that is in alignment with national and local needs and opportunities as well as WCS Global marine priorities. The Program Manager informs and adapts global and/or regional strategies to the national/local context in close coordination with the Bangladesh Country Director and other Program Managers and leads their implementation with the Marine Conservation Program Team.

Major Responsibilities:

• Ensuring compliance with government, donor and WCS commitments and requirements;
• Planning, implementing, and reporting on all Marine Conservation Program activities and their outcomes, including applied conservation science, research design, data management, community and government engagements, and policy development;
• Providing technical assistance and support, including through educational outreach and capacity building programs for partners;
• Adapting impact assessment, quality control, and safeguarding mechanisms;
• Supervise and support the timely implementation of approved projects and program requirements;
• Lead the timely preparation of project proposals and reports following WCS guidelines on approval processes
• Review external communication materials from the WCS Bangladesh marine programme.
• Communicate with donors, WCS NY, regional leaders and collaborators, Government partners, national and local marine conservation partners, and other relevant stakeholders;
• Lead the strategic development and implementation of impact assessments and safeguard measures;
• Coordinate strategies, activities, partner engagement, and external communications with other WCS Bangladesh Program Managers;
• Lead the official consultation and approval process for proposed legislation or policies;
• Work with the WCS Bangladesh finance team on budgets, procurement, and financial reporting;
• Strengthen the public image of WCS Bangladesh as a key partner for marine conservation;
• Support WCS Bangladesh professional skill development opportunities;
• Ensure a healthy and motivational working environment

Minimum Requirements:

• Post-graduate qualification in marine/wildlife/environmental/earth sciences (such as Marine Science, Oceanography and Maritime, Fisheries, Zoology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management). Candidates with a PhD degree on any of these subjects will get preferences. 
• Minimum seven years of experience in the non-profit or research sector working on conservation issues, especially marine conservation.
• Ability to build and maintain respectful and supportive communications and relationships with a variety of partners and stakeholders, including government and non-government partners and marine fisheries stakeholders.
• Demonstrated understanding of marine policy and wildlife conservation issues within the local, regional, and global context.
• Demonstrated experience in managing a program with multiple projects and program staff.
• Demonstrated ability to mediate and resolve complex issues that involve multiple actors and/or interest areas.
• Proven capacity to write successful project proposals and donor reports, and popular and scientific articles.

• The candidate should be a Bangladeshi national or passport holder.

• Professional proficiency in English and Bangla, both verbal and written.

Status: Full-Time

Job Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh

Starting Date: 1 August 2024

Salary: Negotiable

Compensation and Benefits: Mobile Bill, Weekly 2 Holidays, Insurance,  2 Festival Bonus and Yearly Salary Review.