Marine Conservation Principal Scientist and

Marine conservation initiative, run collaboratively between a Conservation Foundation and Lodge Management / Touring Company based in Sandton is looking for a Principal Scientist and Programme Manager. Through research, conservation initiatives, raising awareness and working closely with local communities, governments, and other stakeholders, the Foundation strives to strengthen the conservation status of their island sites (Moz & Zanzibar), expand opportunities for local community development, and contribute to global efforts to protect our oceans.

Responsible for:

- Strategic Programme Management and development guidance, including responsibility for the delivery of all strategic programme and project outputs.
- Scientific research, monitoring, and coordination of all conservation research initiatives, ensure data collated and stored, enable sharing of research results and insights.
- Co-ordinate and enable citizen science and / or guest involvement, including donor and guest impact visits.
- Fundraising, grant writing, donor management and engagement, donor reporting, and the development and implementation of fundraising campaigns.
- Co-ordinate and support all Marine conservation initiative communications, and the dissemination of programme outcomes and results, through popular and scientific media.
- Enable and support liaison with local government departments, NGO’s, universities, and local authorities on a programme and project basis.
- Participate in relevant conservation and community boards and forums.
- Oversight of the Marine conservation initiative budgets, including finances, payroll, procurement and HR processes.
- Co-ordinate support between AfConservation Foundation and Lodge Management / Touring Company Impact projects at regional level where required.
- Management of the Marine conservation team, together with the relevant Regional Managers.

**Requirements**:

- Minimum of a master’s degree in marine sciences, with a PhD being preferable.
- Proven experience in fundraising, project development and implementation, and budget management (e.g. project planning, grant management, compiling, and monitoring budgets, project cycle management, narrative and financial reporting), preferably in an NGO setting.
- Previous experience in developing and maintaining systematic and transparent records in order to keep track of projects and for accountability and auditing.
- Experience of effective and values-based partnership work between international and local organisations and communities preferable.
- Marine conservation impact experience.
- Must have a strong knowledge of project implementation, data management, analysis and reporting.
- Fluent in English with excellent communication skills, and knowledge of relevant cultures and languages would be extremely useful.
- Passion for working in a not-for-profit environment.
- Advantageous to have strong East African marine impact networks, including donor, non-government, government and or educational institutions.