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

Rare is looking for a Site Implementation Officer (SIO) to support the delivery of the GEF7 biodiversity conservation and sustainable fisheries management project in Leyte Gulf entitled, “Strengthening and Sustaining the Coastal Resources and Fisheries Management in the Leyte Gulf”. Reporting to the Program Implementation Manager (PIM), the SIO will work directly with local partners and stakeholders to ensure program activities align with the GEF project’s goals and Fish Forever’s objectives and strategies. The SIO will assist in implementing partnership agreements, monitor progress, and support capacity-building efforts for effective program delivery.

Working in close collaboration with the Program Implementation Team of Leyte and the Director for Program Implementation in the Visayas and in coordination with the Shared Services Group, the SIO will manage the implementation of the current 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 coastal municipalities in selected geographic clusters, supported by policy and governance (P and G) systems, effective management bodies (EMB), data for decision-making (DDM), and financial inclusion, all underpinned by community engagement and behavior adoption (CEBA).

The SIO role entails coordinating with the Municipal Implementation Teams (MITs) of local government unit (LGU) partners in the implementation of the Fish Forever Program; developing an efficient implementation strategy for sites assigned to her/him; planning and budget utilization tracking; monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL), reporting, and overall program implementation support. The role also involves support to the Program Implementation Manager (PIM) in maintaining partnerships with implementing partners, co-delivery partners from the provincial government and regional offices of national agencies, as well as academic institutions, civil society organizations, and other sectors as opportunities arise.

As directed by their supervising PIM, the SIO proactively coordinates with other Rare teams in the implementation of FF processes and activities onsite, including those related to Managed Access Area and Reserves (MA+R) management, fisheries policy development and law enforcement, and program monitoring and evaluation. He/She will be required to travel to project sites to conduct activity facilitation, data gathering, and related activities based on agreed timelines and scope, mainly in the assigned cluster of sites. He/She will also support in ensuring partnership, promoting, and linking program undertakings with the regional field units of relevant government agencies and other development organizations working in the cluster.

Essential Functions

Program Implementation Support

• Assist the Program Implementation Team in implementing the Fish Forever program in the assigned cluster of sites. Activities include planning, facilitating, and evaluating behavior change campaigns to support sustainable fishing behaviors related to:
  • Fishers’ registration and enrolment in social protection programs;
  • Coastal and fisheries law enforcement; Reduction of illegal, unreported, unregulated fishing;
  • Catch documentation
  • Capacity building of fisheries management bodies, including the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Councils (MFARMCs);
  • Organizing, strengthening, and monitoring of Fish Forever Savings Clubs and Fish Forever Community Educators (FishForCE);
• Provide logistical, secretariat, and facilitation support during community events, capacity building sessions, meetings, workshops, and other Fish Forever activities.
• Provide support in building and maintaining relationships with local partners (including local government units [LGUs], inter-LGU alliances, NGOs, people’s organizations, government agencies) to ensure effective program delivery and alignment with the Leyte Gulf project and Fish Forever objectives;
• Gather and maintain clean, accurate data aligned with the program’s needs, ensuring consistency and accuracy for effective program implementation and decision making;
• Ensure accurate and timely documentation of agreements of the Program Implementation Team and with partners.

Project Finance and Administration

• Support the preparation of regular program reports, ensuring timely and accurate submission, in alignment with program and donor requirements;
• Ensure timely and accurate liquidation of finances, handling project funds with integrity and per Rare’s policies;
• Gather and document compelling stories for social media to highlight the project’s achievements and impact;
• Collaborate with internal teams, providing data, feedback, and insights from the ground to enhance program effectiveness and improve operational processes.

Working Relationships

Internal – The SIO reports to the Program Implementation Manager and coordinates frequently with other Philippine-based teams, including science and monitoring and evaluation, capacity exchange and learning, financial inclusion, finance, operations, and talent (FOT).

External – The SIO works closely with the Municipal Implementing Teams (MITs), LGU alliances, and other LGU and co-delivery partners, contractors, consultants, and vendors for the implementation of Fish Forever activities based on memoranda of agreement/understanding (MOAs/MOUs) and contracts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as fisheries, biology, marine biology, environmental science, community development, education, or social sciences;
• At least one year of work experience in a team-based environment, preferably assisting local governments and building organizational capacities of community-based people’s organizations, and/or NGOs on environmental, community development, coastal/fisheries resources management, or related projects;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for working with diverse partners and stakeholders;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, Filipino, and Waray;
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly to project sites in the Leyte Gulf area;
• Adept in computer programs such as MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, with experience in cloud-based and mobile apps for work productivity, and social media;
• Experience in organizing, facilitating, and evaluating events such as workshops, trainings, and meetings with various stakeholders, including LGU partners and community-based organizations;
• With initiative and able to work with minimal supervision, and driven by results and process.

Work Environment

 Rare Philippines is based in Cebu City, but most staff work remotely or are based at the sites. There are periodic check-ins and gatherings with the rest of Rare Philippines, both in-person and virtual.

Physical Demands*

The position entails traveling by land and sea to coastal communities to facilitate meetings, workshops, and consultations in municipal centers, and traveling in small boats to islands, coastal areas, and marine sanctuaries for monitoring visits. Physical demands are higher during these site support visits.

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

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Typical work days 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, especially to accommodate the schedule of site partners and communities.

Other Duties

Please note that 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-opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic.