EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

BLUE PROSPERITY VANUATU SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES COORDINATOR

 

The Waitt Institute is seeking a Sustainable Fisheries Coordinator to support Blue Prosperity Vanuatu (BPV), a government-led initiative aimed at strengthening ocean protection and promoting sustainable economic development in Vanuatu. The program, a partnership between the Government and the Waitt Institute, will build on Vanuatu’s goals and existing initiatives to protect and sustainably manage the ocean. 

 

The BPV Sustainable Fisheries Coordinator will be the Waitt Institute’s primary representative in the Vanuatu Fisheries Department, leading and facilitating BPV engagement with the Department. The successful candidate will work closely with other members of the BPV team, the Waitt Institute team, the Fisheries Department, and other government stakeholders to implement the BPV program.

 

The Waitt Institute is committed to diversity, cultural competency, and inclusion. We seek to employ talented advocates for the ocean and coastal communities. All applicants are welcome.

 

About the Position

• Based in Port Vila, Vanuatu 

• Housed in the Fisheries Department at the Ministry of Oceans, Fisheries, and Maritime Affairs, and with the BPV team

• Citizens of Vanuatu, preferably Ni-Vanuatu, or residents with existing rights to work in Vanuatu.  

• Fluent in English and Bislama. Fluency in French and/or local dialects will be an added advantage.  

• Strong traditional background and cultural values. 

• Comfortable working cross-culturally as part of a diverse team headquartered in the United States of America.

• Full-time, one-year contract position (40 hours/week) with option to renew. 

• Reports to the Waitt Institute’s Senior Director of Blue Prosperity Coalition and the BPV Country Manager.

• Eligible for Vanuatu’s public holidays and a maximum of 21 personal days. 

• Flexible to travel domestically and internationally as needed.   

 

Duties & Responsibilities

• Support the Fisheries Dept. engagement with BPV, working closely with staff from the Ministry, BPV, and the Waitt Institute to execute the joint work plan and ensure that the Marine Spatial Plan, Sustainable Fisheries, Blue Economy, and other aspects of the program advance as planned 

• Collaborate in the design and implementation of programs supporting the goals of the BPV program, with a focus to:

  • Engage the fishing and aquaculture industries and other private sector stakeholders in Vanuatu’s Marine Spatial Planning process

  • Identify and assess opportunities to sustainably increase economic benefits associated with fisheries production and supply chains

  • Support efforts to collect, analyze, and interpret data on fisheries, aquaculture, seafood markets, blue economy initiatives, and marine spatial planning overall

• Build and maintain relationships to keep government officials, technical staff, and committee members engaged and informed

• Facilitate engagement and foster partnerships with communities, the private sector, and other stakeholders

• Work with program partners to plan, prepare, and support committee meetings or information requests

• Attend BPV, Science and Technology Committee on Ocean Governance, and other government meetings to facilitate information flow, data sharing, technical input, approvals, and decision-making, tracking progress and outcomes to ensure decisions are noted and actioned

• Develop memos, reports, and presentations to raise awareness and facilitate decision-making processes

• Execute agreed-upon deliverables based on the BPV annual work plan built in coordination with the Waitt Institute is based on government and program priorities 

 

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

• Degree in marine or fisheries science, environmental science, policy, economics, business, law, political science, social sciences, or a related field with a minimum of 5 years of work experience

• Strong organizational skills with demonstrated ability to efficiently manage competing demands and find solutions to achieve agreed-upon targets in a timely manner

• Proven ability to engage and effectively support high-level government officials, technical staff, stakeholders, and communities 

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, including the ability to understand scientific information and translate it to a non-technical audience

• Ability to work well independently and as part of a team

• Demonstrated experience in planning and facilitation of sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, and/or marine management practices at the national scale and experience working closely with local communities; work experience with government practices and protocols will be an added advantage 

• Ability to develop and implement strategies to promote sustainable fisheries and blue economy in alignment with national and regional priorities

• Experience in meeting facilitation, networking, collaborative projects, report writing, and editing

• Understanding of sustainable finance mechanisms and potential funders 

• Strong commitment to sustainable and progressive ocean management

 

Salary  

A competitive salary will be offered based on experience.  

  

Questions? 

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Toney Tevi, Head of the Maritime and Ocean Affairs Division, at toneytevi@gmail.com.

To apply: Please send your resume and cover letter written in English to Tom Grueskin at tgrueskin@waittfoundation.org. Include “BPV Sustainable Fisheries Coordinator” in the subject line of your email. The position will remain open until filled.