Purpose of the role
Project Description
The Philippine Rise Ocean Conservation Area (PROCA) project presents an opportunity for ZSL-Philippines to partner with the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), Fishery Management Area 1 Management Board (FMA1 MB) and Blue Nature Alliance (BNA) to catalyse the creation of approximately 150,000 km2 of new large scale MPA and measurably improve management of approximately 10,000 km2 of existing coastal MPAs by June 2027, through the following key interventions:
* EBSA to MPA Transition: Upgrade the Philippine Rise Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area (EBSA) to a LSMPA through a structured stakeholder engagement process, zoning, management planning, and legal designation by June 2027.
* MPA Governance: Stand up an FMA1 Management Office by June 2027 and develop institutional and technical capacity in governing FMA1, including management of the existing coastal MPAs and the proposed LSMPA.
* Monitoring and Surveillance: Develop monitoring, control, and surveillance capabilities for the FMA1 Management that will benefit existing coastal MPAs and new offshore LSMPA.
* Sustainable Financing: Assess sustainable finance options for the long-term management of the offshore LSMPA by June 2025. A potential Phase 2 engagement will be developed upon legal designation of the Philippine Rise LSMPA focusing on advancing the implementation of the selected sustainable finance model.
Purpose of the role
The successful applicants will be based in ZSL Philippines Extension Offices (TBC) in Aurora, Isabela, and Quezon provinces, with corresponding fieldwork in respective provincial project sites and travel to Metro Manila, the Iloilo Country office, and/or Tuguegarao Field Office. The SEO will work directly with PROCA's Senior Stakeholder Engagement Officers with leadership from the project's technical Officer and Officer-in-Charge who will provide guidance and instructions on daily tasks, data, and information to be collected, and reports to be generated.
In coordination with the DA-BFAR, FMA 1 MB, and ZSL Philippines/UK PROCA Project Team and reporting to the Project Manager, the post holder will deliver the responsibilities and implement activities based on agreed upon strategies and approaches, following the approved workplan and budgets to ensure accomplishment of project goals, and objectives. His/her key responsibilities will focus mainly on stakeholder engagement relative to large-scale offshore MPA (LSMPA) establishment, declaration, zoning, and management planning, and associated behaviour change and capacity building of stakeholders in support of the LSMPA establishment and management.
Key responsibilities
Following ZSL Philippines' Project Scope of Work (SOW) and approved workplan and budget, s/he will undertake the following responsibilities in his/her assigned project/thematic area:
Stakeholder Relationships and Mobilization
* Engagement, mobilization, and coordination with the following organizations: national (BFAR and DENR) and local (municipal and barangay) government agencies/units, commercial and municipal fishers, indigenous people, other businesses, civil society (academe, NGOs), and community groups in the establishment, declaration, and management of the Philippine Rise LSMPA and development of working relationships and collaboration across different sectors.
* Co-facilitate the conduct of iterative meaningful consultations with various community, sectoral, and government stakeholders on the social acceptability relative to the establishment and declaration of the LSMPA.
* Assist in stakeholder mapping and support data collection for legal reviews, as well as biological and socio-economic assessments.
* Help organize sessions to feedback results of assessments and studies to local stakeholders to rationalize the LSMPA declaration.
Zoning and Management Planning
* Organize and support LSMPA zoning and management planning activities to generate inputs and recommendations from different stakeholders.
* Conduct information and education sessions to develop positive behaviors supporting the LSMPA.
Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS)
* Assist the FAIRER team with focus group discussions, meetings, and the actual roll-out of FAIRER framework at the community level.
* Support the FAIRER monitoring and evaluation activities to help improve project design and processes.
Project Management & Reporting
* Provide inputs to monthly, quarterly, and annual progress reports and key performance indicators (KPIs)
* Work closely with the Project Team to ensure activities align with the approved workplan and budget.
About You
* A university degree holder in Sociology, community development, social work, environmental science or related field of community works;
* With at least 1 year of experience in community organizing and mobilization work and coordination on government bodies;
* Demonstrated capacity in technical report-writing
* Confidence in undertaking collaborative works with key project partners, including local governments, NGOs, POs and other civil society organizations, line agencies, research institutions, etc.
* Preferably, but not necessary, with previous experience in non-government organizations (NGO) settings and natural resource conservation and management programs
* Strong organizational, interpersonal and presentation skills;
* Advanced skills in using MS office packages, specifically Excel and PowerPoint or equivalent software packages will be acceptable.
* Familiarity with managing competing priorities and delegate effectively
* Good communication and writing skills in English and the native dialect.
* Must have a positive attitude and be a team player.
For complete job description and to apply, visit:
https://careers.zsl.org/vacancies/648/stakeholder-engagement-officer.html