opportunities

Interested candidates should send an e-mail with the subject line ‘International Marine Technical Advisor, WCS Bangladesh’ and attach their CV and a Letter of Interest describing their interest, qualifications, experiences, and expected per month remuneration for this position to the WCS Bangladesh Country Director (e-mail: wcsbangladesh@wcs.org). Please submit your application by 15 July 2024.

• Position: Marine Technical Advisor, WCS Bangladesh
• Location: Remote or Dhaka, Bangladesh.
• Position Type: Full-time/Part-Time (Consultant)
• Expected travel: At least half of time to be spent in Bangladesh, including in-country travel for participation in research and conservation activities, technical meetings and trainings etc.

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 60 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.

WCS has been actively engaged in Bangladesh since 2004, aiming to save wildlife and wild places through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. We currently have Terrestrial and Marine Conservation Programs that are supported through Educational Outreach and Finance Programs. WCS Bangladesh works closely with government and community partners to advance science-based and community-informed marine conservation solutions that optimize the protection of threatened marine wildlife and their priority habitats and sustain coastal fisheries and livelihoods.                

Job Summary:

WCS is seeking an experienced individual with a strong technical background in marine conservation to provide support to the WCS Bangladesh Marine Conservation Program in advancing marine conservation in Bangladesh. This position will provide direct technical support and build local capacity for scientifically informed marine conservation, including Marine Protected Area (MPA) and Other Effective Conservation Measure (OECM) design and management, marine habitat and species prioritization and protection, ecological monitoring, fisheries management as well as managing and monitoring community-focused marine and coastal conservation and livelihood initiatives.

Major Responsibilities:

• Work with WCS staff and partners to design and implement robust ecological and socioeconomic methodologies to support MPA and OECM creation and establishment of management strategies.
• Work with WCS staff and partners to provide guidance for successful community-focused, nearshore fisheries management and coastal livelihoods initiatives.
• Ensure appropriate collection, analysis, dissemination and publication of field data.
• Provide technical support, as needed, to field staff in program/project work-plan development, financial planning and field-level implementation.
• Prepare recommendations to address any problems or constraints with the technical implementation of WCS marine conservation activities in Bangladesh, and in consultation with line-management take the lead, as appropriate, in implementing those recommendations.
• Assist in preparation of annual work-plans and periodic reports as required by WCS and donor partners, including appropriate content and clarity of all reports.
• Assist in identifying funding opportunities to support marine conservation in Bangladesh.
• Provide technical support to WCS staff and partners in grant proposal, budget and report preparation. Engage with public (multi- and bilateral) and private donors, as required.
• Work with the WCS Bangladesh Country Programme Director and in liaison with the Marine Programme Manager to coordinate and facilitate capacity building, training and professional development of current staff and partners.
• Work with the WCS marine and communications teams to publicize achievements through popular, social and scientific media, and publish results in scientific journals.

Minimum Requirements:

• Ph.D./ MSc., or equivalent experience and strong record in marine conservation science, marine ecology or biology, including conservation and program and project management experience.
• Specific knowledge of tropical marine ecosystems and associated species, including seagrass and mangroves, in South or South-east Asia, is an advantage.
• Experience in MPA design, monitoring and management, preferably in a developing country setting.
• Understanding of current marine conservation issues and solutions (e.g., marine spatial planning, bycatch mitigation, area-based conservation) and of relevant global policy for a (e.g., CITES, CMS, CBD, IOTC, FAO).
• Ability to design and conduct practical research and analysis, with strong synthesis skills.
• Ability to work sensitively and effectively with people of diverse cultures, value systems, perspectives and levels of education, and mediate and resolve complex issues.
• Demonstrated ability to enhance capacity of partners/team members.
• Project management skills and experience inclusive decision-making processes.
• Professional proficiency in English with demonstrated strong writing skills