Blue Ventures Conservation 39-41 North Road, London N7 9DP Tél. : +44 (0)20 7697 8598 [email protected] www.blueventures.org
Registered charity #1098893
Position Vacancy
Regional Manager - Menabe-Melaky, Madagascar
Location: Morondava, Madagascar, with regular travel to Belo sur Mer, Maintirano, Antananarivo and other sites and locations as required
Closing date for applications: 19 May 2019 Start date: as soon as possible Contract duration: Two-year, renewable, with three-months probationary period Remuneration: Competitive salary based on experience and organisational salary scales
Summary
A unique opportunity to lead multi-disciplinary teams delivering ambitious and innovative projects in marine conservation and community development, in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders, in an innovative and growing NGO and in one of the most remote regions of Madagascar.
Organisation overview Blue Ventures develops transformative approaches for nurturing and sustaining locally led marine conservation through an integrated approach addressing environmental and health issues.
We work in places where the ocean is vital to local cultures and economies, and we are committed to protecting marine biodiversity in ways that benefit coastal people.
Blue Ventures is a social enterprise which grows rapidly and is motivated by its mission, offering excellent possibilities for professional development.
Presentation of the Menabe-Melaky region
www.blueventures.org Regional Manager - Menabe-Melaky, Madagascar
Blue Ventures works in two administrative regions in the central zone of Madagascar’s western coast.
In the Melaky region, Blue Ventures is responsible for the implementation of the Barren Isles Marine Protected Area (BI MPA). It aims at preserving and locally managing the richness of the sea resources with and for the Vezo communities, who heavily depend on them. The Barren Isles archipelago is one of the last areas of high marine biodiversity in Madagascar, but it is threatened by increasing pressures from human activities and climate change. Melaky is also one of the most remote regions of the country, which limits economic opportunities. The Barren Isles MPA is a critically important chance to support the livelihoods of fishing communities, implement a good local governance of fisheries and inform local and national policies by providing lessons learned and examples of good practices.
In the Menabe region, our focus has been on a series of communities along the coast between the village of Belo-sur-Mer, and Morondava. This coastal zone borders the Kirindy Mitea national park, and is within an area designated by UNESCO as a Biosphere reserve, recognising its diverse, yet fragile mosaic of habitats. Our work has been focused on supporting local fisheries management initiatives, encouraging local governance and unlocking the barriers posed by poor access to health services. We are now working with a wide range of actors in the region to support and encourage these local initiatives. Alongside supporting the Belo sur Mer site team, a major part of the Regional Manager’s role will be to maintain strong and close working relationships with partners and stakeholders, and build momentum and coordination in support of our strategies.
Summary job description The Regional Manager - Menabe-Melaky is a newly created role, aiming to increase support to Belo sur Mer and Barren Isles site teams, as well as to maximise synergies in strategy, partnerships and operations across both sites and within each respective region.
The Regional Manager will report directly to the Country Director, and is part of the Madagascar senior management team. He/she will lead the development and the implementation of strategies to nurture and sustain locally-led management of marine resources in the BI MPA and Belo sur Mer region, as well as seeking opportunities to share good practice, and promote this approach across the Menabe and Melaky regions.
This position offers a tremendous opportunity to engage in marine conservation with Vezo communities in a region with significant challenges but also a high potential to demonstrate the power of community engagement in the stewardship of marine resources and habitats.
The position comes with a large set of responsibilities, from strategy development to team management, implementation of activities, communication, partnerships, and grants management.
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate, who is resourceful, proactive and culture-sensitive, with proven experience in project management, strategy development and a great ability to adapt and integrate into the field in a remote region. He/she should be passionate by marine conservation and community development, and ready to take up a professional challenge in an off-road context.
The Regional Manager - Menabe-Melaky will be based in Morondava in the long term, with frequent travels to Antananarivo and other BV sites in Madagascar, and occasional travel to the BV headquarters in the UK. The new recruit would be expected to spend a significant time at both field sites during their induction phase.
www.blueventures.org
Regional Manager - Menabe-Melaky, Madagascar
Responsibilities
Strategy development and implementation - Coordinate the implementation of Blue Ventures Madagascar strategy within the regions of Menabe and Melaky, in close collaboration with the National Programmes Leads and the Head of Policy and Outreach - Support the Belo sur Mer and Barren Isles site leaders with the definition and regular update of strategies for each site, seeking coherence and synergies across both regions
Team management - Provide focused line management support to site leaders, helping them with decision making, prioritisation and professional development - Support site leaders with the management and development of their teams, including ensuring each staff has an updated performance and professional development plan - Supervising the annual staff appraisal process - Coordinating the regular analysis of capacity gaps within the teams in terms of human resources and skills, and supporting recruitment and training
Activities coordination and implementation - Support and oversee site leaders with financial and operational management within their site teams, including troubleshooting where needed - Oversee site leaders with delivery of activities according to grant programmes and agreed site strategies, working closely with the national and headquarters grants teams - Support production of accurate, high quality activity reports to project donors, including leading on reporting as required by project needs. - Make sure the health and safety protocols are thoroughly implemented and respected by all team members (with the Operations Manager at the site) - Ensure work plans and operational budgets are implemented and monitored (with the Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Officer at the site) - Ensure activities from the different programmes are well planned and coordinated by the team - Contribute to project design and proposal writing with the team in the UK
Partnerships and communication - Oversee development of partnerships in support of our strategy in each region, in alignment with core BV values, including playing a leading role building, developing and strengthening partnerships at the regional and national levels - Provide regular information for internal and external communication, identifying in advance specific topics and events to share with the communication team
www.blueventures.org
Regional Manager - Menabe-Melaky, Madagascar
Skills and experience
Required - At least three years experience in project management, in conservation or community-based natural resource management, in Madagascar or in a comparable country - Knowledge of small-scale fisheries issues and opportunities - Ability to provide leadership and team management in a multicultural context - Competencies and experience in supporting staff professional development - Ability to think strategically and track record of fostering innovation in projects - Ability to create and maintain strong partnerships with other organisations - Budget management and donor reporting experience - Fluency in French or Malagasy, as well as English - Strong interpersonal skills and team spirit - Strong written and oral communication skills
Desired - Experience living in a remote location - Good team building skills
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.
www.blueventures.org
Regional Manager - Menabe-Melaky, Madagascar
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, responding in critical, we believe that our a sensitive and pragmatic way models work, and we are for long lasting benefits. determined to get the job done.
Valued people & effective teams Innovation & courage We work in diverse and inclusive We are resourceful and teams where all members have creative. We are prepared to a voice and influence. We are take risks and challenge effective because our work is broken paradigms. integrated across teams and projects.
Openness & humility Grounded in evidence We are an open source social We have high standards and enterprise. We work in a are not afraid to be self transparent and collaborative critical. If we see something way to pass on what we learn to that doesn’t work, we change others who share our vision and tack until we’re on the right passion. course.
Application process
Candidates should apply online from the website, by May 19 2019.
Please note that applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and first-round interviews may be conducted with short-listed candidates before the application deadline.
All shortlisted candidates will be contacted within two weeks of the closing date.
www.blueventures.org