Senior Marine Scientist

**Our client which is an independent conservation organization seeks to employ a Senior Marine Scientist to join their team in Cape Town.**

**Requirements**:
**- Preferably a PhD in a marine and/or conservation related field (specific knowledge around fisheries science, fisheries stock assessments, fisheries management and conservation will be advantageous).
- At least 5 years of fisheries-related work experience in multi-disciplinary project research/management, and multi-stakeholder initiatives, and good knowledge of Southern African fisheries legislation would be advantageous.
- Well-published in both peer-reviewed journals and other forms of publication.
- Self-motivated, with strong administrative and project management skills.
- Passion for the conservation of nature and the involvement of people and businesses in the implementation of practical solutions to the challenges facing the marine environment.
- Be able to build and maintain effective partnership and networks.
- Collaborative spirit and ability to manage staff, work in team settings across cultures and internally within a diverse institution.
- Excellent communication skills in English and proficient in at least one other language, Afrikaans or Xhosa.
- Valid driver’s license and own transportation essential.

**Duties and Responsibilities**:

- Oversee and co-ordinate the organization's assessment process including the following:_
- Identify annual list of priority species to be assessed.
- Conduct key research to underpin organization's assessments.
- Have oversight of and input into the organization's -assessment species, process and protocol.
- Input scientific expertise into assessments and the assessment methodology
- Engage with the organization's Global Network on species assessment-related matters.
- Engage with the organization's Global Network on Common Assessment Methodology (CAM) review and listing.
- Provide strategic leadership on the scientific component of organization's marine conservation:_
- Co-lead with the portfolio senior manager on the strategic direction of the organization's marine portfolio fisheries priorities to ensure they align with the relevant organization's strategic outcomes and to the EAF framework.
- Lead on the technical input during the development of organization's fishery conservation, improvement project and seafood market transformation work plans.
- Provide ongoing technical guidance on the implementation of organization's fishery conservation and improvement projects.
- Implement and maintain an effective monitoring and reporting system for the technical components (data management) of organization's marine conservation priorities that supports the organization's M&E and ESSF processes and frameworks.
- Contribute to a strong partner-based approach to addressing marine conservation and development issues in South African fisheries:_
- Develop fisheries management decision support tools and environmental impact mitigation experiments; and
- Provide technical input on fisheries related issues with regards to the Responsible Fisheries training programme’s content, organization's consumer queries and campaigns, organization's Retailer/ Supplier Participation Scheme assessments, etc.
- Ensure that the organization's Marine Portfolio fisheries-related work is underpinned by credible and up-to-date science:_
- Keep abreast of emerging marine scientific knowledge, issues and policies relating to fisheries, aquaculture, climate change, blue economy, and market-related marine conservation initiatives.
- Conduct key research in areas that will be of value to the organization's marine strategy and priority focus areas.
- Together with the junior scientist represent organization's Marine Portfolio on industry bodies such as the Responsible Fisheries Alliance, government Scientific Working Groups, relevant scientific forums and relevant marine related symposia (national and international).
- Ensure effective linkages with other organization's Portfolios and other relevant organizations working in the marine conservation field (national and international).
- Contribute to organization Global Network marine/ocean practices to develop position papers, input into the scientific rigour of the MSC and other seafood certification schemes and collaborate on guidelines for fisheries-related projects (including but not limited to climate changes projects).
- Work with the organization Global Network on global issues and projects where relevant
- Perform further duties as specified by the organization's Senior Manager: Marine Portfolio including inter alia:_
- Support the organization’s Behavior Change Lead and Communications team on fisheries related behavior change projects and communications activities including events, awareness materials, newsletters, websites, media content, etc. to ensure scientific accuracy.
- When appropriate, act as a representative spokesperson for organization’s fisheries-related work