Gulf of Mottama (GOM) Ecosystem Management Specialist
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BACKGROUND
POSITION IS OPEN TO ALL QUALIFIED CANDIDATES.
The remuneration and benefits package for this position is established with reference to the local labour market and in line with the IUCN conditions of service for Myanmar.
The Gulf of Mottama Project (GoMP) is a multi-sectoral project of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by a consortium led by HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation (HELVETAS) and including Network Activities Group (NAG) and IUCN. Phase 1 of the project ran from April 2015 to April 2018; the current phase, Phase 2, began in April 2018 and runs until the end of 2021. In Phase 2, the focus is on working with institutions and stakeholders to implement the Gulf of Mottama (GoM) Management Plan, developed in Phase 1 based on stakeholder consultations. The GoM Management Plan and the GoMP goals are perfectly aligned. For both, the vision is that “The unique biodiversity of the Gulf of Mottama is conserved and sustainably developed in order to benefit human communities that depend on it.” This vision is based on the three major outcome areas: 1) Livelihoods are secured and diversified to build communities’ resilience; 2) Coastal natural resource use is sustainable and well-managed, and biodiversity is secured; and 3) Coastal natural resource governance is coordinated and effective, and awareness of the value of the GoM is raised.
IUCN leads activities for Outcome 2 related to conservation- and management-relevant research, strengthening local skills for such research, and connecting research to stakeholders, while playing a key role in Outcome 3, including coordinating with various institutions for the implementation of the Gulf of Mottama Management Plan. This includes close coordination with the recently formed Coastal Resource Management Committees (CRMCs) of Mon State and Bago Region, as well as communication with the national CRMC and facilitating formation of more local-level institutions. The CRMCs represent multiple government departments, and the Mon and Bago CRMCs are the main implementers of the GoM Management Plan.
Key areas of coordination include working with the Helvetas Chief Technical Advisor, Project Manager, Management Plan Coordinator (MPC) on work with the Mon and Bago CRMCs and township-level institutions, the Helvetas Conservation Officer on village-level conservation plans, and with the non-profit Point B Design + Training. Point B has established the Myanmar Coastal Conservation Lab (MCCL), which works closely with this position to develop and implement research skills trainings, research on marine mammals and project communities, and the GoMP Research & Conservation Training Program, an internship program training youth and students from Bago and Mawlamyine Universities.
Specific outputs include: annually updated research strategy based on stakeholder consultation; annual information-sharing meeting to communicate research findings to diverse stakeholders, including the Coastal Resource Management Committees of Mon State and Bago Region; implementation of the GoMP Research and Conservation Training Program with Bago and Mawlamyine Universities, with Point B Design + Training Myanmar Coastal Conservation Lab (MCCL); supervising diverse research projects carried out by the universities, Point B MCCL, and other contractors; initial implementation of the GOM Management Plan based on the Ramsar wise use principles; and linking GoMP research and management activities to national-level platforms and initiatives where appropriate.
The remuneration and benefits package for this position is established with reference to the local labour market and in line with the IUCN conditions of service for Myanmar.
The Gulf of Mottama Project (GoMP) is a multi-sectoral project of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by a consortium led by HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation (HELVETAS) and including Network Activities Group (NAG) and IUCN. Phase 1 of the project ran from April 2015 to April 2018; the current phase, Phase 2, began in April 2018 and runs until the end of 2021. In Phase 2, the focus is on working with institutions and stakeholders to implement the Gulf of Mottama (GoM) Management Plan, developed in Phase 1 based on stakeholder consultations. The GoM Management Plan and the GoMP goals are perfectly aligned. For both, the vision is that “The unique biodiversity of the Gulf of Mottama is conserved and sustainably developed in order to benefit human communities that depend on it.” This vision is based on the three major outcome areas: 1) Livelihoods are secured and diversified to build communities’ resilience; 2) Coastal natural resource use is sustainable and well-managed, and biodiversity is secured; and 3) Coastal natural resource governance is coordinated and effective, and awareness of the value of the GoM is raised.
IUCN leads activities for Outcome 2 related to conservation- and management-relevant research, strengthening local skills for such research, and connecting research to stakeholders, while playing a key role in Outcome 3, including coordinating with various institutions for the implementation of the Gulf of Mottama Management Plan. This includes close coordination with the recently formed Coastal Resource Management Committees (CRMCs) of Mon State and Bago Region, as well as communication with the national CRMC and facilitating formation of more local-level institutions. The CRMCs represent multiple government departments, and the Mon and Bago CRMCs are the main implementers of the GoM Management Plan.
Key areas of coordination include working with the Helvetas Chief Technical Advisor, Project Manager, Management Plan Coordinator (MPC) on work with the Mon and Bago CRMCs and township-level institutions, the Helvetas Conservation Officer on village-level conservation plans, and with the non-profit Point B Design + Training. Point B has established the Myanmar Coastal Conservation Lab (MCCL), which works closely with this position to develop and implement research skills trainings, research on marine mammals and project communities, and the GoMP Research & Conservation Training Program, an internship program training youth and students from Bago and Mawlamyine Universities.
Specific outputs include: annually updated research strategy based on stakeholder consultation; annual information-sharing meeting to communicate research findings to diverse stakeholders, including the Coastal Resource Management Committees of Mon State and Bago Region; implementation of the GoMP Research and Conservation Training Program with Bago and Mawlamyine Universities, with Point B Design + Training Myanmar Coastal Conservation Lab (MCCL); supervising diverse research projects carried out by the universities, Point B MCCL, and other contractors; initial implementation of the GOM Management Plan based on the Ramsar wise use principles; and linking GoMP research and management activities to national-level platforms and initiatives where appropriate.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Based in Mawlamyine, Myanmar, with frequent travel to Bago University and occasional travel to Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw, and coastal villages in Mon State and Bago Region, the GOM EMS will lead the design and implementation of all IUCN activities, including supervision of the Helvetas Management Plan Coordinator and the Point B MCCL team, and coordination of joint activities across project partners. The EMS will represent IUCN within GOMP, including representing IUCN at steering committee meetings, and take responsibility for partner liaison, budgeting, workplan preparation, technical and financial reporting, government relations, and fund raising.
SPECIFIC DUTIES
The position’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
GOMP MANAGEMENT AND REPRESENTATION
Supervise and support GoMP research and research training activities
• Recruit and supervise university research teams at Mawlamyine and Bago Universities, to conduct research on GoMP-identified research priorities; includes technical backstopping, training in developing research proposals/budgets/reports, and orientation to GoMP procedures.
• Close coordination with Point B MCCL on their research (including marine mammal surveys, Local Ecological Knowledge interviews, Plastic Waste, and Most Significant Change evaluations in project communities), including technical backstopping for data analysis and reporting.
• Close coordination with Point B MCCL on the GoMP Research & Conservation Training Program for youths and university students, including technical support for Reading Discussion Groups, core research skills seminars, field experience, and awareness-raising.
• Recruiting qualified contractors (preferably local) to conduct specific research projects.
• Coordinating with qualified research institutions in supervising specific research projects by university faculty or students.
• Coordinate an annual research review meeting with GoMP researchers, staff, and stakeholders to review progress and update GoMP research strategy.
• Connecting research findings to stakeholders through regular reporting and coordination of information-sharing events to present findings in a clear, management-relevant manner.
Supervise and support GoMP coordination related to IUCN activities
• Coordinate with the Helvetas Management Plan Coordinator and Conservation Officer, as well as the Project Manager and Chief Technical Advisor, and other technical officers as necessary for joint activities.
• Provide IUCN’s inputs for the Annual Workplan Cost Estimates and other reporting requirements as per consortium agreement.
• Develop monthly workplans and budgets for IUCN activities, and prepare monthly reports including monitoring & evaluation.
• Attend monthly and quarterly GoMP meetings, as well as quarterly Steering Committee meetings.
• Ensure that activities and key outputs are communicated to the IUCN Myanmar Head of Office and to key stakeholders, including communities and CRMCs.
• Visit Nay Pyi Taw as required to discuss policy issues with central government ministries.
• Link GoMP efforts to other platforms, such as the Fisheries Research Development Network and Integrated Coastal Management activities by IUCN.
• Coordinate with contractors who have been hired to conduct specific research or training activities, including developing ToRs and budgets for the contracts.
Support implementation of the GoM Management Plan
• Ensure that IUCN activities are in alignment with the GoM Management Plan.
• Work with the Management Plan Coordinator and Conservation Officer on engagement with stakeholders and institutions at various levels (village to state/region and national).
OTHER TASKS
Undertake any other tasks as may be assigned by, and mutually agreed with the line manager.
SPECIFIC DUTIES
The position’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
GOMP MANAGEMENT AND REPRESENTATION
Supervise and support GoMP research and research training activities
• Recruit and supervise university research teams at Mawlamyine and Bago Universities, to conduct research on GoMP-identified research priorities; includes technical backstopping, training in developing research proposals/budgets/reports, and orientation to GoMP procedures.
• Close coordination with Point B MCCL on their research (including marine mammal surveys, Local Ecological Knowledge interviews, Plastic Waste, and Most Significant Change evaluations in project communities), including technical backstopping for data analysis and reporting.
• Close coordination with Point B MCCL on the GoMP Research & Conservation Training Program for youths and university students, including technical support for Reading Discussion Groups, core research skills seminars, field experience, and awareness-raising.
• Recruiting qualified contractors (preferably local) to conduct specific research projects.
• Coordinating with qualified research institutions in supervising specific research projects by university faculty or students.
• Coordinate an annual research review meeting with GoMP researchers, staff, and stakeholders to review progress and update GoMP research strategy.
• Connecting research findings to stakeholders through regular reporting and coordination of information-sharing events to present findings in a clear, management-relevant manner.
Supervise and support GoMP coordination related to IUCN activities
• Coordinate with the Helvetas Management Plan Coordinator and Conservation Officer, as well as the Project Manager and Chief Technical Advisor, and other technical officers as necessary for joint activities.
• Provide IUCN’s inputs for the Annual Workplan Cost Estimates and other reporting requirements as per consortium agreement.
• Develop monthly workplans and budgets for IUCN activities, and prepare monthly reports including monitoring & evaluation.
• Attend monthly and quarterly GoMP meetings, as well as quarterly Steering Committee meetings.
• Ensure that activities and key outputs are communicated to the IUCN Myanmar Head of Office and to key stakeholders, including communities and CRMCs.
• Visit Nay Pyi Taw as required to discuss policy issues with central government ministries.
• Link GoMP efforts to other platforms, such as the Fisheries Research Development Network and Integrated Coastal Management activities by IUCN.
• Coordinate with contractors who have been hired to conduct specific research or training activities, including developing ToRs and budgets for the contracts.
Support implementation of the GoM Management Plan
• Ensure that IUCN activities are in alignment with the GoM Management Plan.
• Work with the Management Plan Coordinator and Conservation Officer on engagement with stakeholders and institutions at various levels (village to state/region and national).
OTHER TASKS
Undertake any other tasks as may be assigned by, and mutually agreed with the line manager.
REQUIREMENTS
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• Advanced University Degree in Coastal and Marine Resources Management, Marine Biology, Fisheries, or a related field • Have at least 5 years of relevant experience in facilitating/managing ecosystem-related projects at local level. Experience with co-management projects, in Southeast Asia, would be particularly desirable. • Have strong knowledge, qualifications and experience in coastal natural resource management (including small-scale fisheries and/or biodiversity conservation), and social-ecological research related to coastal natural resource management. • Skills and experience in designing, conducting, and communicating management-relevant research. • Skills and experience in developing and managing project strategies and work plans, including budgets. • Skills and experience in working in Southeast Asia, particularly Myanmar • Skills and experience in liaising with government agencies and other stakeholder groups, particularly in Myanmar • Fluency in written and verbal English, with excellent communication and presentation skills • Proficient in using computers and software applications such as word, PowerPoint, excel and email, with capacity to use web-based management systems • Willingness and capacity to undertake strenuous and/or extended periods of field-based activities and frequent travel within the Gulf of Mottama area • Have experience coordinating with universities in Myanmar and professional proficiency in written and verbal Burmese is desirable. |
APPLICATIONS
Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the "Apply" button.
Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.
Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/
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