About Rare

Rare inspires change so people and nature thrive. For 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.  Rare’s organizational culture is results-oriented, and entrepreneurial, and our global programs cover the thematic areas of climate change, fisheries and marine conservation, sustainable agriculture food security, and Green Recovery.

Project Overview

Spanning 5,358.93 km², the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape (TSPS) is the Philippines’ largest Marine Protected Area (MPA). However, its globally significant ecosystem is under pressure from human exploitation and climate change. Despite its status as an IUCN category V MPA, effective management and protection of the TSPS are considered to be weak, due to various constraints. As a result, fisher families face declining fish catch and deteriorating livelihoods.

Rare, in partnership with Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation (NWTF), aims to enhance the effective and inclusive management of the TSPS through Atong Tañon, a project that aims to unlock the effective management of the Philippines’ largest Marine Protected Area. It will work to address the key challenges related to governance and regulations, technical capacity, enforcement, sustainable financing, as well as community participation and livelihood opportunities. 

Position Overview

Rare is looking for a talented professional to fill the role of Senior Associate, Program Implementation, who will perform a key lead role in ensuring that the technical, operational, and administrative requirements of the project are professionally and expertly met. The position holder acts as a thinking and implementing partner to the Senior Manager, Program Implementation. S/he will closely and collaboratively work with local government units, coastal communities, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure aligned and on-track delivery of short- and long-term results.

The Senior Associate will lead the implementation of project activities within an assigned operational area, currently the Northwest Cebu Strategic Management Unit (SMU) under the Atong Tãnon project, ensuring the timely and high-quality delivery of outputs in alignment with approved work and financial plans. The role requires flexibility and may be reassigned to other operational areas or project configurations as program priorities evolve.

S/he will be responsible for managing and coordinating the work of Site Implementation Officers, contractors, and, where applicable, Associates assigned within the operational area. The Senior Associate is expected to demonstrate initiative, leadership, and accountability for effective project execution and field team performance.

This position is based on Bantayan Island.

Essential Functions

Project Implementation Lead

• With the guidance of the Senior Manager, take the lead in the ground implementation of key project management activities such as the project kick-off/inception workshop, establishment of presence in target areas, formation and management of relevant committees, implementation of Environmental and Social Safeguards, and financial management and reporting.
• Provide technical support in the conduct of assessments to inform the baseline and design of the project, contribute to the development of the TSPS General Management Plan (GMP) for 2026–2035, and facilitate consultations and technical assistance to partners.
• Facilitate the deputization of all Bantay Dagat units to ensure legal enforcement authority.
• Work with the Senior Manager in developing and implementing the Atong Tãnon behavior adoption initiative across TSPS through behavior change campaigns.
• Engage and enroll mayors of inter-LGU alliances as active members in the Coastal 500 network.
• Lead and coordinate the day-to-day implementation of project activities within the assigned operational area, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery of outputs.
• Develop, monitor, and manage the operational area’s detailed work and financial plans, ensuring alignment with project targets, budgets, and schedules.
• Oversee Site Implementation Officers, field staff, contractors, and Associates (if assigned) to ensure effective execution of field activities and compliance with project standards.
• Work closely with the Shared Services group—including Finance, MEL, Administration, and Communications—to ensure sound financial management, procurement, logistics, data integrity, and timely reporting.
• Ensure full adherence to donor, institutional, and environmental and social safeguards policies in all implementation activities.
• Monitor progress of field implementation, consolidate data and documentation, and prepare periodic progress and performance reports for submission to the Senior Manager.

Capacity Building Implementation and Coordination

• In collaboration with the Training Manager, develop and deliver training programs and resources that build the capacity of stakeholders in accessing and managing TSPS funding, joint surveillance, monitoring, and enforcement based on established SOPs, cost-effective monitoring techniques, and behavior adoption campaigns.
• Support the Training Manager in setting up a learning platform to aid in hybrid learning models.
• Support the capacity-building of partners, field staff, and local implementers through mentoring, coaching, and facilitation of training or knowledge-sharing activities within the assigned operational area.

Stakeholder Support and Management

• In collaboration with key representatives of various stakeholder groups, ensure clear roles and responsibilities for each stakeholder.
• Work with the Senior Manager in the establishment or strengthening of the five functional inter-LGU alliances.
• Ensure regular exchanges and roundtable discussions among alliance members to enhance coordination and collaboration.
• Support inter-LGU alliances in drafting resolutions for harmonized enforcement efforts.
• Strengthen coordination between the TSPS-PAMO, composite enforcement teams, and inter-LGU alliances.
• Facilitate and maintain regular coordination meetings with LGUs, PAMO, enforcement teams, inter-LGU alliances, and partner organizations to strengthen collaboration and decision-making.
• Support relationships with partner LGUs, community organizations, and enforcement bodies to foster ownership and ensure effective project delivery.
• Represent Rare in coordination meetings, workshops, and local stakeholder engagements as delegated by the Senior Manager.
• Coordinate closely with the Senior Manager and collaborate with other Senior Associates and Associates to ensure cohesive planning, integration, and reporting across project sites.
• Participate in cross-site reviews, strategic planning sessions, and adaptive management discussions to promote alignment and learning across the Atong Tãnon

Information Management and Reporting

• Gather, consolidate, and build up program and project data and information to facilitate evidence-based project planning and decision-making.
• Support and contribute to the preparation and completion of program and project reports to various stakeholders, adjusting the language according to audience and prescribed standards.
• Maintain accountability for achieving implementation standards, ensuring operational efficiency, and contributing to overall project outcomes and institutional learning.
• Promote collaboration, communication, and effective teamwork within the implementation area and across Rare Philippines teams.

Education and Experience

• Degree in Sociology, Community Development, Development Communications, Social Sciences, or other related fields.
• Proven experience in managing or supporting program implementation in development or conservation projects.
• Demonstrated skills in project coordination, stakeholder engagement, and team supervision.
• Experience in facilitating diverse processes such as meetings, workshops, and consultations.
• Strong ability to work with coastal communities and multi-stakeholder, multi-cultural environments.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Filipino; ability to speak Cebuano is an advantage.
• Willingness to work flexible hours to accommodate partner schedules, travel, and field conditions.

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-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.