ABOUT RARE

Rare inspires change so people and nature thrive. For over 50 years, across 60 countries, we have inspired and empowered millions of people and their communities to shift their behaviors and practices to protect our shared planet. We are a global leader in driving social change for people and nature and believe that the cumulative power of individual and community action is a vital pathway to safeguarding and restoring our shared waters, lands, and climate. 

Fish Forever is Rare’s global initiative to restore near-shore fisheries in the tropics. Fish Forever is helping improve fishery productivity, profitability, and sustainability while also boosting livelihoods, protecting habitats, and enhancing coastal resilience to climate change. 

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Site Implementation Officer (SIO) will manage the implementation of current and upcoming projects and strategic partnerships under Rare’s Fish Forever Program in their area of assignment. The project closely follows the global Fish Forever framework focusing on the establishment of Managed Access and Reserve (MA+R) areas in the nine coastal municipalities in Siargao Islands, Surigao del Norte, supported by policy and governance (P&G) systems, effective management bodies (EMB), data for decision-making (DDM), and innovative finance (IF), all underpinned by community engagement and behavior adoption (CEBA). Program implementation in the cluster will also be harmonized with the overall fisheries management strategy of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)’s Fisheries Management Area (FMA) 8, of which Siargao Island is a part.

The SIO role entails providing coaching, mentoring, facilitation, and technical support to the implementation teams of municipal local government partners; developing an efficient implementation strategy for sites assigned to her/him; annual planning and budget utilization tracking; monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL), reporting, and overall program and support staff management and administration. The role also involves support to the Program Implementation Associate in maintaining partnerships with implementing partners, co-delivery partners from the provincial government and regional offices of national agencies (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and other relevant agencies), as well as academic institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector, as opportunities arise.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Site Implementation Officer will:  

1. Lead or assist in implementing the Fish Forever program in an assigned site or cluster of sites;
2. Ensure that strong and responsible partnership, collaboration, and engagement are established and managed to advance programmatic goals and deliverables;
3. Lead or assist in designing or improving program interventions towards achieving desired outcomes and impacts;
4. Provide feedback, recommendations, and insights for program effectiveness and efficiency;
5. Demonstrate utmost professionalism and courtesy in dealing with different program stakeholders;
6. Observe regular and timely submission of program reports and reporting requirements;
7. Ensure timely compliance to financial and administrative responsibilities and accountabilities; and,
8. Perform other tasks as may be assigned by the immediate supervisor.

 WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

This position reports to the Manager or Sr. Manager- Program Implementation and interacts frequently with the following:

Internal -

• Site Implementation Officer on program implementation matters
• Senior Director of the Shared Services Group, Director for Program Implementation and Innovative Finance, Director for Science and Knowledge Management, Director for Capacity Exchange and Learning, Director for Policy and Government Engagement, Senior Manager for Science, Monitoring and Evaluation, and other program implementation managers for the design and delivery of Fish Forever workshops, training and other related activities;
• Finance Team for cash advances and liquidation of expenses, procurement and payment of goods and services to vendors, and payment of fees to contractors, as well as monitoring and reporting of counterpart contributions;
• Operations Team on logistical preparations and support for workshops, events, and travel of team members and partners;
• Talent focal person on contractual matters, performance evaluation, welfare, and employee benefits.

External - This position works closely with the Municipal Coastal and Fisheries Resources Management (CFRM) Teams and other LGU and co-delivery partners, contractors, consultants, and vendors for the implementation of Fish Forever activities based on memorandums of agreement/understanding (MOAs/MOUs) and contracts, and maintains regular contact with municipal team leads and mayors, strategic partners in the locality, district, province, region, or Fisheries Management Area (FMA), including the regional and local offices of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and other agencies, academic institutions, CSOs, and the local media where possible,  for regular updating on the status of program implementation as well as to solicit support for the program.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

• A bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university in the field of fisheries, (marine) biology, environmental science, community development, sociology, political science, law, education, or other related disciplines;
• At least 2 years experience working in a multi-cultural office and team-based environment with a track record in assisting local governments and building organizational capacities of environmental/fisheries management organizations, people’s organizations, and/or NGOs;
• Has the experience and capacity to provide coaching and mentoring tasks;
• Good skills in process facilitation and training or event management/delivery;
• Experience with strengthening marine protected areas, fisheries governance, and/or coastal resource management in partnership with local government units;
• Strong project management skills such as planning, staffing, organizing, directing, and controlling different interrelated events and activities, preferably with training or certification in project management;
• Demonstrated ability to work in a diverse  and multicultural environment;
• Demonstrated capacity to manage  and work in a demanding environment working with diverse stakeholders and partners;
• Adept at working cross-functionally with other teams;
• Excellent communicator, can translate complex ideas into simple forms for various audiences, especially for fisherfolk communities and leaders;
• Must be mission-driven and a self-starter;
• Able to work with minimal supervision and driven by results and process;
• Proven experience working with community groups and low-income households;
• Demonstrable training, process facilitation, or coaching experience in an adult learning environment; 
• Experience in inspiring, coaching, and mentoring others, including individuals who were not direct reports and/or were of a higher position.
• Must be adept in computer software and programs such as MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as strong knowledge or experience in using mobile apps for productivity  or business applications;
• Willing to travel within the cluster and occasionally travel to Cebu or elsewhere in the country for meetings, workshops, and other activities (when necessary);
• Fluent in English, Filipino, and the main languages of the area of assignment, including Cebuano.
• Previous experience in applying social marketing and/or behavior change interventions a plus
• Skills in GIS mapping, graphic design, and editing, video production a plus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers and printers, mobile phones and gadgets, photocopiers, and scanners. For training and workshops, the job involves operating laptops, projectors, sound systems, clickers, and other learning gadgets and materials.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The position entails traveling by land or sea to coastal communities to facilitate meetings, workshops, and consultations in municipal centers and traveling by small boats to islands, coastal areas, and marine sanctuaries for monitoring visits. Physical demands are higher during these site support visits; the Site Implementation Officer must have the ability to make long walks or stand for hours when facilitating events.* 

*Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

POSITION TYPE AND EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

This is a full-time position; typical workdays and hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. However, there may often be times when longer work hours are required.  Please note that this position is eligible to participate in Rare’s telecommuting or flexible work schedule program.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

Rare is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a proactive program of affirmative action and diversity development through its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) program. Rare will continue to recruit, hire, train, and promote into all job levels without regard to race, religion, gender, marital status, familial status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, source of income, or veteran status. All employment-related decisions are based solely upon legitimate, job-related factors such as skill, ability, past performance, attendance, and length of service. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated under any circumstance.