Site Leader Andavadoaka- Madagascar

Position Title: Site Leader

Location: Andavadoaka, with regular travel to Toliara

Closing date for applications : ​ongoing

Start date : 1​ May 2020

Contract duration : ​Permanent with 6 month probation

Contract type: National​ contract

Remuneration : ​competitive salary, based on experience

Organisation overview

Blue Ventures is an award-winning marine conservation organisation working to rebuild tropical fisheries with coastal communities. We’re committed to protecting marine biodiversity in ways that benefit coastal people. We work in places where the ocean is vital to local cultures and economies, and where there is a fundamental unmet need to support human development.

Summary job description

The Andavadoaka Site Leader (SL) is a management role in the South West of Madagascar, as a member of the management team of South West Madagascar you are responsible for the daily oversight and operations of BV’s flagship site of Velondriake and neighbouring Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs) of Teariake & Manjaboake. Reporting to the South West Regional Manager (SWRM) you will work closely with them, the BV programme technical leads and operations leads to implement BV’s Mission Strategy in the South West of Madagascar following BV’s values.

Setting the example for our culture and values, you will lead a dynamic, multi-disciplinary, team of 50+ colleagues. You will lead the day to day supervision of resources while ensuring that realistic, joined-up workplans are designed and implemented to ensure high quality community conservation with our beneficiaries. This will require the SL to keep a critical mind ensuring our strategic aims are met while optimising human resources available. The SL will also ensure that relevant procedures ensuring the sound management of administration,

logistics and finance are well implemented. The SL will also flag areas for improvement whether strategic or procedural.

The successful candidate will be a highly motivated, proactive and organised individual, with strong leadership skills and demonstrated experience in managing projects, building partnerships and developing strategies in the development and/or conservation sectors.

The evolving nature of the organisation will give the candidate opportunities for innovation and original thinking in developing our work and practice on the ground. Blue Ventures is a fast growing and mission-driven NGO, offering excellent opportunities for further professional development.

Responsibilities

Leadership and management: - As the general manager of the site, you will take overall responsibility for overseeing the development of the site work plan

- As a strong team manager, create a positive, engaging, creative and thriving environment for staff, leading effectively through the creation of a shared vision for all colleagues, and ensuring all staff understand their contribution to that vision and receive adequate support and training to deliver in their roles

- Play a lead role in assessing capacity and human resource needs for the site, and support coordinators to develop proactive planning for human resources, including recruitment, training and professional development plans

- Provide supportive ​day to day line management to your team developing their capacity and skills in a collaborative manner. Currently these staff are; ​Safidy Coordinator, Blue Forests Coordinator, BVE manager, Andavadoaka operations manager, Association Support Coordinator, Aquaculture Coordinator

- Identify staff training needs/gaps within the site team and accommodate trainings whenever possible

- Working with the Health and Safety and Safeguarding team you will ensure that measures are implemented to ensure the relevant policies are followed

- Ensure organisational systems and policies are implemented and followed by staff

Programme management and development: - Working with the wider team you will ensure that BV’s Mission Strategy is implemented in the delivery of integrated programmes in the Velondriake, Teariake & Manjaboake LMMAs

- Ensure the timely implementation of BV’s conservation approach and mission strategy at the site utilising the Implementation Planning document and the Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) plan.

- Ensure the timely delivery of the grants awarded to deliver the Implementation Plan for the site

- Manage the budget related to the site

- Acquiring technical knowledge and staying abreast of global changes to better guide strategic decisions at site level through an integrated approach.

- Coordinate contributions to grant reporting from site coordinators ensuring they are submitted on time

- In collaboration with SWRM, programme technical managers, ​and Head of Programmes, support the identification of opportunities for grants, funding and strategic partnerships in support of activities related to the site

- Ensure that staff movement is planned and updated; manage the staffing resources to prevent gaps in service but also manage unplanned needs on the ground

- Act as overall management focal point for the site ensuring the safe and effective delivery of activities and the efficient use of assigned resources;

- Optimize and strengthen relationship with BV Expeditions, the social enterprise that manages volunteer expeditions in the site

Operations: - Ensure safe and secure operations, compliant with BV’s operating protocols and policies, and respond to evolving needs and situations o ensure sufficient meetings occur to better aid communication and produce results

- Oversee all Operations (logistics, procurement, Finances and Human Resources) in the site o Identify blockages in operations and coordinate with colleagues to implement improvements and provide solutions. - Support the development and maintenance of budget and project management systems

- Provide smooth support to the implementation plan, to visitors, and for events, ensuring the team carries out adequate planning, engage adequate support, and support problem solving when needed.

- Meet with ​other Site Leads to exchange good practices in view of standardisation process’

- Ensure BV assets such as buildings, boats, cars and electronics are well managed

Communications and knowledge sharing/management: - Cultivate effective proactive internal communication to ensure all staff working in the site are well informed of Blue Ventures’ core mission and kept up to date with ongoing activities, as well as new developments, policies and procedures, as and when they arise;

- Working with the national programme leads and site teams, promote effective documentation of knowledge, lessons learned and experiences within the site both for internal and external purposes;

- Oversee that BV institutional information such as field reports are recorded and properly organised on google drive and made available to all staff for consultation

- Incorporate lessons from the wider BV team beyond Madagascar into implementation

- Feedback into BV systems processes and procedures to keep them up to date, valid and user friendly; including internal reports, skill sharing and training. - - Communicate with/and support the SWRM regarding all relevant partnership developments in the SW region, including private sector partners when needed.

- Strengthen our relationship with the Vezo Hospital, hoteliers in the area, and other strategic local partners.

Contribute to delivering Blue Ventures’ organisational mission and vision (beyond SW Madagascar)

- Ensure visits are properly planned and good impression to visitors is given (including media)

- Ensure communication within the BV team and external partners alike is well coordinated and follow guidelines and communication strategies

- Input to knowledge, sharing & learning platforms to work to an increase in knowledge and learning of lessons learned

- Ensure all BV policies and values are respected, and actively participate to organisational development and culture

Skills and experience Required

● Sound progressive managerial experience, both in project management and team management ● Graduate level qualifications in conservation, marine biology, international development, business management, social science or similar ● Experience in working in NGOs and international organisations ● Experience in financial management ● Experience in operational support in such areas as human resources, logistics and administration procedures ● Experience in project cycle management ● Experience in working with external partners, ministerial and authorities, international organisations ● Experience working in multicultural settings ● A strong professional proficiency in both French and English ● Dynamic, enthusiastic, motivated, serious and autonomous ● Excellent knowledge of computer tools ● Experience with MEL systems ● Experience in grant management ● Willingness to live and work for extended periods of time in remote communities with little access to amenities

Desired ● Experience of community level project implementation ● Qualification in project cycle management ● Qualification in management ● Experience in process improvement

Blue Ventures is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young and vulnerable people and expects all members of staff to share this commitment. We take a zero-tolerance approach to anyone who contravenes our policy. All candidates will be asked questions on safeguarding and child protection.

Why work with us:

Mission​: We operate at the frontline of some of the world's most pressing environmental and social problems, innovating effective and scalable responses with tropical coastal communities. We are recognised as a transformative force in our sector.

Working style: We're a fast-moving social enterprise, quick to embrace and implement promising ideas without bureaucracy.

Autonomy: We expect and support our staff to take a lead in their own work, offering scope for creativity and strategic input.

Professional development: We challenge and support our staff to grow their skills, providing considerable exposure to different work experiences and training opportunities.

Adventure: We offer extensive opportunities for travel, working in diverse environmental and cultural contexts.

Family: We look out for one another as we work closely together in challenging situations, celebrating successes and spurring each other on when the going gets tough.

Values: ​ Our organisational values are central to everything we do:

Communities first Passion & belief Above all, we listen to Our mission is urgent and community needs, critical, we believe that our responding in a sensitive and models work, and we are pragmatic way for long lasting determined to get the job

benefits. done.

Valued people & nnovation & effective teams courage We work in diverse and We are resourceful and nclusive teams where all creative. We are prepared to members have a voice and take risks and challenge nfluence. We are effective broken paradigms. because our work is ntegrated across teams and projects.

Openness & humility Grounded in We are an open source social evidence enterprise. We work in a We have high standards and transparent and collaborative are not afraid to be self way to pass on what we learn critical. If we see something to others who share our that doesn’t work, we vision and passion. change tack until we’re on the right course.

Application process

Applicants should apply online, using the form below. This recruitment will be carried out on a rolling basis until we find a suitable candidate. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.