Vacancies: Wildlife Conservation Society's Global Marine Program
Added to website: 26 June 2007
The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Global Marine Program has three available positions:
Position: Assistant Country Program Director
Program: South Pacific Country Program
Location: Suva, Fiji
Experience and Skills:
- The Wildlife Conservation Society at the Bronx Zoo seeks an experienced Assistant Country Program Director for the Marine Program in Fiji to assist the South Pacific Country Program Director on the establishment of program priorities, strategy, and approaches for marine conservation initiatives in Fiji and across the South Pacific region.
- Help initiate and guide the development and implementation of projects that build on existing work to further develop WCS’ conservation program in the South Pacific, and in particular, the design, implementation, and evaluation of marine reserve networks as part of the Fiji Seascapes Project.
- Represent WCS and promote conservation in the South Pacific among various governmental and international agencies , NGO’s, universities and training institutes, and the citizens of the countries of the South Pacific; direct national and international attention to the South Pacific region for conservation and influence policies that promote their long-term persistence.
- Assist with fundraising; provide financial and administrative support for the program; and facilitate communication and coordination among projects and between WCS projects and other institution.
- The ideal candidate should have experience managing conservation programs, including field projects, report writing, project budgets, and staff.
- Experience with marine protected area science and policy, including design principles for MPA networks and evaluations of MPA effectiveness, strongly preferred.
- Fundraising experience preferred.
Education:
- PhD or equivalent preferred and solid record in tropical field biology, research, and conservation with a background in marine biology or ecology strongly preferred.
Please send resume w/cover letter to: hr@wcs.org. Please type PWACDP in the subject line. Applications for this position will be received until the position is filled.
WCS is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Position: Assistant Director, Global Marine Program
Division: Global Conservation Program
Reports to: Director, Marine Program
Location: New York City, New York
The Wildlife Conservation Society seeks a bright, committed, diligent, and promising conservationist to help plan, manage and administer a large and complex global marine conservation program.
Background:
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has been dedicated to conserving the earth’s biodiversity since its establishment in 1898 as the New York Zoological Society (NYZS). Our efforts are concentrated in many of the world’s developing countries, where biological diversity is greatest and pressure on nature is most intense. The WCS Global Marine Program focuses on conserving outstanding seascapes - large marine and coastal areas of outstanding significance and conservation potential, principally in coral reef ecosystems - and wildlife species iconic of wildness in the seas and essential for healthy, resilient ocean ecosystems. Headquartered in the Bronx Zoo, the Program employs approximately 100 people and has an annual operating budget of about $5.5M. Current major projects include seascape conservation in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Fiji, Belize, Kenya, and Madagascar, and species conservation focused on sea turtles (Nicaragua, Panama, western Africa), marine mammals (Africa and Southeast Asia), and sharks (Belize, Madagascar).
Position Objectives:
The Assistant Director supports the strategic development and oversees effective operation of the Global Marine Program and its innovative, science-based conservation projects, currently focused in thirteen countries around the world. Specifically, the Assistant Director:
- oversees annual planning and day-to-day Program operation, including field support and administration,
- leads development of funding proposals and supports and supervises reports to funders and partners,
- provides guidance for field project development and implementation,
- facilitates communication and coordination among projects, with other elements of WCS, and between WCS and other institutions,
- supports the strategic development of the Global Marine Program, including developing and evaluating priorities for growth and opportunities to increase Program impact and effectiveness.
Qualifications Required:
- Ph.D. in field biology, conservation, or a relevant social science, or Masters Degree together with extensive relevant experience.
- Thorough understanding of marine conservation issues and relevant science and a commitment to the mission of WCS and the goals of the Global Marine Program.
- At least three years program management experience, including budget development and oversight, work plan development, staff evaluations, and demonstrated grant-writing and financial management skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, including writing, editing, and the ability to work sensitively and productively with a diverse global team.
- Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks and work on multiple projects simultaneously.
- Ability to take direction and to work both independently and as a member of a team.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, adjusting to changing program priorities and responding to opportunities.
- Ability to travel internationally.
Qualifications Preferred:
- Experience managing a field-based, marine conservation project, ideally in a developing country.
- GIS skills.
- Fluency in French or Spanish.
To apply, please email a letter with the subject line “Marine AD” describing your interest in the position, fit with the position qualifications, availability, and salary expectations, and a current curriculum vitae to: hr@wcs.org & marineprogram@wcs.org
Applications for this position will be received until the position is filled.
WCS is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Position: Program Manager, Global Marine Program
Division: Global Conservation Program
Reports to: Director, Marine Program
Location: New York City, New York
Starting date: As soon as possible
Benefits: WCS standard package including retirement packages, health insurance, etc.
Background:
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has been dedicated to conserving the earth’s biodiversity since its establishment in 1898 as the New York Zoological Society (NYZS). Our efforts are concentrated in many of the world’s developing countries, where biological diversity is greatest and pressure on nature is most intense. The WCS Global Marine Program focuses on conserving outstanding seascapes - large marine and coastal areas of outstanding significance and conservation potential, principally in coral reef ecosystems - and wildlife species iconic of wildness in the seas and essential for healthy, resilient ocean ecosystems. Headquartered in the Bronx Zoo, the Program employs approximately 100 people and has an annual operating budget of about $5.5M. Current major projects include seascape conservation in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Fiji, Belize, Kenya, and Madagascar, and species conservation focused on sea turtles (Nicaragua, Panama, western Africa), marine mammals (Africa and Southeast Asia), and sharks (Belize, Madagascar).
Position Objectives:
The Program Manager plays a vital role within the four-person management team for the Global Marine Program, which both supports and guides the individual Program projects. The primary function of the Program Manager is to coordinate and oversee the administration and financial management of the Program and its component projects, working closely with field staff located around the world. The Program Manager assists with the development of annual project budgets and the preparation of funding proposals, coordinates grant and other reporting, and manages the Program’s annual budget of approximately $5.5 million. The Program Manager also serves as a linchpin linking the Marine Program field staff with those in other WCS departments as needed to ensure smooth and coordinated operations, and liaises with external funders and other partners. This position also is responsible for day-to-day management of the Program Assistant.
Principal Responsibilities:
Financial
- Coordinate and oversee financial management of the field and New York operations of the Marine Program.
- Work closely with field-based Program Managers and ensure that field offices are aware of financial policies and procedures, and liaise with other WCS departments and external parties as needed to ensure smooth financial operations.
- Lead annual development of Marine Program budget.
- Track budgets and funding, and reconcile finances on a monthly basis. Investigate and resolve discrepancies.
Development
- Working with closely with field staff and various WCS departments, serve as grants manager for the Marine Program.
- Assist in the preparation of proposals; coordinate grant reporting (narrative and financial) and ensure compliance with grant guidelines and requirements.
- Maintain and cultivate good working relationships with funders.
- Help identify and cultivate new funding opportunities.
Administration and Program Management
- Serve as first point of contact between field staff and other WCS staff as needed to ensure Marine Program and broader organizational goals and needs are met, including working with Human Resources, Office of General Counsel, Development, Public Affairs, and other departments, such as financial and budgeting offices.
- Provide day-to-day supervision of Program Assistant.
- Ensure efficient and reliable daily operations of NY office.
- Provide a point-of-contact for WCS staff while the Director and Assistant Director are travelling.
- Plan and organize conferences, seminars and meetings in NY and the region, including bi-annual Marine Program Meeting.
- Participate in strategic planning and program development.
- Contribute to, enlarge, and uphold the Society’s policies toward Equal Employment Opportunities for women, veterans, the handicapped and other protected groups.
Communications
- On occasion, represent the Marine Program internally and externally.
- As time permits, play a central role in improving strategies, mechanisms and materials for internal and external communications, including improvement and updating of fact sheets, website materials, presentations, etc.
Qualifications:
- Dynamic, energetic individual with a passion for and commitment to marine conservation.
- MA/MS degree or BA/BS degree with minimum 3-5 years of project administration experience.
- Demonstrated experience in financial management, including budget development, tracking, and reporting.
- Excellent organisational skills, including ability to set and follow priorities, work on multiple projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
- Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, including writing and editing. Meticulous attention to detail and commitment to quality.
- Computer literacy in word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software.
- Effective at both collaborative and independent work, able to take direction but work with modest level of supervision.
- Comfortable operating in a dynamic environment and responding quickly to sudden needs and opportunities.
- Willingness to travel occasionally.
- Knowledge and understanding of international marine conservation issues preferred.
- Experience working or travelling in developing countries a plus.
- Fluency in written and spoken Spanish or French helpful but not required.
To apply, please email a letter describing your interest in the position, fit with the position qualifications, availability, and salary expectations, and current curriculum vitae to: hr@wcs.org & llauck@wcs.org. Please type ‘PWPM’ in the subject line.
