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Marine Programme Coordinator, Osa Conservation

by Grace L. Schumaker on February 5, 2018

The Marine Programme Coordinator is a leading role to develop marine
related research and conservation efforts of Osa Conservation, a
regional non-profit conservation organization in the Osa Peninsula
region, of Costa Rica. The organization is 14 years old. Its mission is
to conserve the extraordinary biodiversity of the Osa region and to
utilize OC facilities and programs to engage students, professionals and
the broad public with biodiversity conservation.

OC has offices in Washington, DC, Puerto Jimenez, and operates several
field research stations and other facilities on 2500 hectares of private
land that includes old growth rainforest, marine coastal habitats,
wetlands and agricultural landscapes.

The Marine Programme Coordinator will be responsible for overseeing the
development of OC’s Marine Conservation Programme. Key duties include
leading and carrying out science-led conservation initiatives (with a
specific focus on Marine Protected Areas), fundraising, building
institutional partnerships, mentoring, and managing staff in a team-
based system. This high-energy, demanding position reports to the
Conservation Science Director. The organization is in a growth phase,
has a strong science-base and pursues data-driven conservation solutions
and program designs. The ability to multi-task by organizing and
managing a complex set of operations and facilities is essential. The
base of operations is the Osa peninsula and an enthusiasm for living in
the humid tropics is a must.  Travel regionally is required.

The salary will be commensurate with other professional non- profit
salaries paid in Costa Rica.

General responsibilities include:
1.      Project Implementation: lead innovative marine conservation
efforts, and introduce this to the regional community in Osa.
2.      Financial Performance and Viability: Develops and manages
resources sufficient to ensure the financial health of the restoration
and rewilding program.
a.      Responsible for ongoing fundraising and managing the resources
necessary to support the program goals: and assisting both the
Conservation Science Director and other project staff in these efforts.
3.      Education and Outreach Strategy:
a.      Works with directors and staff to ensure that the mission is
fulfilled
b.      Responsible for Osa Conservation’s image by being active and
visible in the community and by working closely with other professional,
civic and private organizations.
4.      Program Operations:
a.      Responsible effective administration of operations.
b.      Responsible for the retention of competent, qualified staff.

Professional Qualifications:
•       Willingness to live in the Osa. Preferably Costa Rican
nationality or resident, or, someone with at least five years’
experience working in marine conservation in Costa Rica.
•       A higher graduate degree (MSc, MRes or PhD) in a relevant
discipline – Marine Ecology, Marine Conservation, Marine Biology, Marine
Protected Areas.
•       The ability to communicate and collaborate with scientists,
policy professionals and decision makers Experience working with local
tropical communities, preferably in Latin America.
•       Evidence of scientific and popular writings (scientific papers,
social media and blogs included)
•       Statistical skills and experience using R, GIS and spatial
statistics skills.
•       Transparent, charismatic  and high integrity leadership
•       12 months or more nonprofit experience
•       Experience of and compatibility with field conditions in the wet
tropics
•       Willingness to participate in budget preparation, analysis,
decision-making and reporting
•       Strong organizational abilities including planning, delegating,
program development and task facilitation
•       Ability to convey the strategic vision of the programme to
staff, volunteers and donors
•       Knowledge of fundraising strategies and donor relations unique
to nonprofit sector
•       Skills to collaborate with and motivate donors and staff
•       Strong written and oral communication skills
•       Ability to meet reporting and submission deadlines
•       Ability to interface and engage diverse stakeholders
•       Demonstrated ability to mentor, manage and collaborate with
staff
•       Strong public speaking ability
•       Bilingual command of English and Spanish

Job Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
•       Planning and operation of project budget.
•       Spearhead support for the creation of a new million acre Marine
Protected Area in the pacific south of Costa Rica.
•       The creation and development of impactful education and training
activities about Marine Conservation.
•       Lead and develop marine conservation and monitoring initiatives
related to restoration and rewilding in the marine environment.
•       Establish and maintain relationships with various organizations
and utilize those relationships strategically.
•       Report to and work closely with the Conservation Science
Director to seek their involvement in fundraising and to increase the
overall visibility of the organization, and related projects.
•       Contribute to maintain a high-performance field team with
excellent morale and commitment
•       Oversee and participate in weekly operations and science team
meetings.

Please contact Dr Andrew Whitworth (Science Director)
andywhitworth@osaconservation.org with a current CV/Resume and short 1-2
page cover letter by the 18th February. Please use ‘Marine Programme
Coordinator’ in the subject line. Successful applicants will be
contacted for interview.

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