Program Officer Kendari - Rare

PROGRAM OFFICER

Cohort: TURF-R/Fish Forever Initiative

Level: Officer

Reports to: Institutional Development Manager

Dept./Division/Program: Program

Location: Kendari, SE Sulawesi, Indonesia

Last Updated: September 2018

Travel: Up to 60% mainly in SE Sulawesi

Project Overview

Rare is a fast-growing international conservation organization already making strides towards promoting widespread sustainable fishing practices in multiple countries. One of the countries is Indonesia with the goal of improving near shore fisheries. Most of the small-scale fisheries in Indonesia are inherently local: fishers from coastal communities’ fish their near-shore waters and sell their catch in the local market. These fisheries are anchors to the local economy – a key part of the social and cultural fabric of the archipelago and essential to the nation’s food security. To ensure sustainable coastal fisheries, effective management must focus at the same level as the activity: locally. But, devolution of fisheries management authority from the Indonesian national government to the district level and the subsequent re-absorption to the provincial level has left critical gaps in effective fisheries governance across coastal communities.

Since 2014, Rare in Indonesia has used behavior-centered design to build a community’s agency and capacity to address coastal fishing challenges and adopt more responsible fishing behaviors. To develop this agency and capacity, we have created a suite of tools that enables fisheries data collection, fisheries management body development, fisher goal-setting and management plan development, and a process for Managed Access - Reserve (MA-R) implementation. Central to the Fish Forever model is the proven “TURF-R” system (Territorial Use Rights for Fishing + Reserve). This model combines spatial property rights for fishing areas with marine reserves (or No Take Zones - NTZs), protecting key habitats where fish stocks can rebuild. As fish populations recover in these reserves, a spillover effect can improve catch in the adjacent fishing zones. 

To create country level movement that promotes change in marine conservation and fisheries management regimes, Rare Indonesia needs to change its approaches. The new law No 23/2014 on Regional Government withdraws district government’s authority and gives back the authority to provincial government. This power shifting advocates us to work more strategically, so for example, instead of working sporadically at the site level in many provinces, we shall focus on one or two selected provinces. Innovative approaches include allocate potential MA-R sites under existing marine areas management regime to support legal recognition. Shifting the capacity building strategy from individual focus to a collective team focus is another approach, this requires us to create incentive systems and training models that are more practical yet rewarding. Lastly, we also need to integrate sustainable financing mechanisms that will sustain MA-R and behavior change initiatives in the long run.           

Position Overview

The position will support the implementation of MA-R for changing coastal fisheries at selected site in South East Sulawesi Province. The Program Officer works in close collaboration with and reports to the Institutional Development Manager. In addition, the Officer works in close collaboration with other implementing and supporting team. Primarily, the Officer provides structured program implementation supports, including increase knowledge capacity in MA-R adoption, progress check-in and programmatic support to site implementing team.

By providing comprehensive mentoring and strategic support to the site implementing team throughout the three-year program, the Officer could also offer analytical and scientific judgement to Rare, ensuring that MA-R strategic pillars of policy and governance, community-based management and blended finance are met. When needed, h/she will conduct site visits to make sure that MA-R program progresses. He/she will manage and communicate activities and progress vs final outcomes using project management tools and other accessible communication means.

Working Period

The working period is 3 months, starting from January 19 until April 19 and could be extended based on performance review.

Essential Functions

The Program Officer will exercise independent judgment regarding the following significance functions, in consultation with the Institutional Development Manager:

1.       Provide direct support and mentoring to local implementing partners in the field.

2.       Assist local implementing partners in overcoming barriers to implementation, including relationship management, technical skill gaps, and time management.

3.       Work closely with local implementing partners to manage and facilitate the production of required project deliverables.

4.       Work as part of a team to review and provide coordinated feedback to program products, deliverables and final reports.

5.       Manage and communicate activities and progress, towards final outcomes of each program using all relevant reporting tools.

6.       Work in collaboration and coordination with other team from Rare and its partners, to ensure cohort implementation milestones and deliverables are met with Rare quality standards.

Required Experience and Education

1.       Bachelor’s degree in social science or fisheries.

2.       Demonstrable experience in community organizing and facilitation.

3.       Demonstrate people-oriented way of working.

4.       Experience in using MS Office suite, graphics and savvy in social-media usage.

5.       Possess ability to influence and manage others even without direct supervisory function.

6.       Proven success in being able to thrive in team environments, solution oriented, having a strong

understanding of diversity and other cultures and having built relationships over long distances

7.       The ability to self-manage and to adjust to competing priorities and allocate time as necessary to get the job done.

Work Environment

This position operates in a professional office environment as well as field set up (usually in remote places). The Program Officer should be comfortable and proficient with working with implementing partners and communities, and at all stages of project implementation.

Physical Demands

This position is a role with specific physical demands specially during support visits. The person must be able to work in remote places and be comfortable with limited communication access, limited hygiene facilities, also with various transportation modes (eg. boat, motorcycle).

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position; typical work days and hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. However, there may often be times when longer work hours are required.  Please note that this position is eligible to participate in Rare’s telecommuting or flexible work schedule program.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required to implement the MA-R program. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time to adapt with project’s needs and interventions.

Rare is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a proactive program of affirmative action and diversity development. Rare will continue to recruit, hire, train, and promote into all job levels without regard to race, religion, gender, marital status, familial status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, source of income, or veteran status. All employment-related decisions are based solely upon legitimate, job-related factors such as skill, ability, past performance, attendance and length of service. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated under any circumstance.

Application Procedures

Please submit your application and curriculum vitae in English, relevant experience, past salary history, three referees via email no later than 24 Desember 2018, to Ratna Kania <rkania@rare.org>, placing the job title in the subject line and label your CV with your name. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.