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.

In the Philippines, Rare has worked with hundreds of communities to establish 1.2+ million hectares of Managed Access Areas, of which ~10,000 hectares are no-take reserves, benefiting over 1.2 million community members.

Rare also connects underserved communities to the formal financial services by providing technical support and training to MSMEs and helping to establish savings clubs. Globally, more than 650 savings clubs have been established collectively saving ~ USD 7 million.

Project Overview

Rare Philippines is seeking for a talented professional to fill the role of Associate, Program Implementation, who will provide strategic leadership and oversight of the Aquatic Livelihoods and Ocean-based Nature Solutions (ALON). This project addresses the interconnected challenges of ecosystem degradation, poverty, and climate vulnerability affecting coastal communities in Palawan and Siargao, Philippines. Small-scale fishers and marginalized groups experience unstable incomes, limited access to markets and financial services, and declining fishery resources caused by unsustainable practices and weak governance. With this challenge, the project will work towards the following intended changes:

• Improved fisheries governance: Communities will co-develop and enforce locally relevant fisheries governance systems, covering 80,970 hectares of municipal waters.
• Increased income opportunities: Households engaged in community enterprises will benefit from reliable livelihood options through improved market access, enterprise training, coaching, and product development.
• Strengthened household resilience: Savings clubs and financial literacy campaigns, with strong participation from women, will enhance household stability and provide financial safety nets against climate shocks.

Position Overview

The Associate will provide key management support in the implementation of the Aquatic Livelihoods and Ocean-based Nature Solutions (ALON) in Siargao and Palawan. The position holder will support the overall planning, implementation, and review of all project activities. The Associate will be based in Palawan but required to travel to project sites to conduct project planning and related activities based on agreed timelines and scope.

Essential Responsibilities

The Associate, Program Implementation, will exercise independent judgment regarding the following areas of significance:

Program Implementation

• Provide over-all support in the materialization of strategies, workplan, and budget, ensuring alignment and impact
• Work with the Senior Manager, Program Implementation in the integrated planning, budget leveraging, site-level oversight in implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting;
• Support the development of roadmaps which integrate the optimal mix of interventions and program approaches

Technical Support for Program Implementation

• Act as facilitator or resource person during capacity building activities for implementation partners;
• Act as coach to co-delivery partners to improve their capacities to support program implementation;
• Work closely with the implementing partners in the smooth execution of the program strategies
• Work with Rare Philippine’s Science team on data and knowledge management support relevant to the project

Partnership Management

• Actively support the engagement of communities, partner agencies, and other relevant stakeholders;
• Continuously look for opportunities and prospects for partnership with other stakeholders
• Explore/Tap and coordinate co-delivery partnerships for their continued support;
• Support alliance building and be co-cognizant of the potential risks of such strategies; and,
• Coordinate with other assisting organizations including leveraging resources.

Reporting

• Participate in team meetings and communicate activities and progress and final outcomes;
• Regularly input implementation progress data and other relevant information on the designated tracker;
• Assist in crafting presentations, reports, and other related materials about the program implementation and other activities;
• Capture experiences, insights, best practices and success stories from the field for sharing with relevant circulation;
• Give presentations at staff meetings, other group gatherings, and in implementation sites as appropriate;
• Document lessons and project accomplishments and contribute to periodic reports to donors, knowledge management, and development of toolkits; and,
• Perform other tasks as may be assigned and defined by the Senior Manager for Program Implementation.

Project Finance and Administration

• In coordination with the Senior Manager, Program Implementation and with the guidance from the Finance Team, provide inputs to annual work plans and budgets;
• Prepare event plans and estimate costs for activities following the annual work plan and budget, and coordinate on logistical arrangements for the events onsite;
• Comply with cash management, procurement, and acquittal of project expenses, in accordance with Rare financial management guidelines, processes and systems;
• Review and monitor the utilization of program budget in accordance with Rare financial management guidelines, processes and systems;
• Assist implementing partners in preparing work and financial plans; and,
• Participate and contribute to project reporting and overall program level reporting, both financial and programmatic.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, biology, marine biology, environmental science, social science, community development, or relevant field;
• At least 2 years’ experience in assisting local governments and building organizational capacities of environmental/fisheries management organizations, community-based people’s organizations, and/or NGOs;
• Demonstrated project management skills in a development setting;
• Experience collecting and managing project data; 
• Experience in biodiversity conservation, strengthening of marine protected areas, fisheries governance and/or financially sustainable coastal resource management in partnership with local government units or with related experience in other community engagement initiatives or community development programs;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; can translate complex ideas into simple forms for various audiences; proficiency in Filipino and Cebuano, required;
• Must be adept in computer programs such as MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, with strong knowledge or experience in using mobile apps for productivity or business applications and social media;
• Experience in event organizing and facilitation, training management and delivery for various stakeholders including LGU partners and community-based organizations;
• With independent judgment/initiative that could increase performance, productivity and efficiency leading towards achievement of program/organizational goals;
• Good interpersonal skills; ability to build good working relationships both internally and externally;
• Willing and able to travel within the country.

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.