Senior Manager, North Sulawesi Province MA+R Program, Indonesia

Cohort: MA+R/Fish Forever Initiative

Level: Senior Manager

Reports to: Program Director

Dept./Division/Program: Program Implementation

Location: Bogor, Indonesia

Last Updated: February 2020

Travel:  Up 50%

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) with its eight elements of success components (Figure 1). 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 project sites; focus area will be on North Sulawesi province where Rare has a 3-year extensive intervention. The Senior Program Manager (SPM) works in close collaboration with and reports to the Program Director. The SPM also needs to work with the Policy Department of Rare-Indonesia and key managers in Program Implementation Department to ensure that elements of legal framework, sustainability and institutional development of MA+R are well integrated and implemented.  The SPM will develop creative approaches and practical innovations to advance the transition of small-scale fishers and near shore fisheries from unregulated-open-access model to managed one. Some key approaches will be to strengthen understanding and buy-in from local implementing partners (local governments) about MA+R, facilitate communities in selected sites to implement MA+R and found all pillars of Fish Forever Program firmly during the project time-span. S/he will work closely with small field team to develop and execute plan to advance MA+R, with special focus on getting the implementing partners stick with project key milestones and providing technical assistances.

Essential Functions

The Senior Program Manager will exercise independent judgment regarding the 2 following areas, in consultation with the Program Directors:

Develop an effective and strategic program implementation (70%)

• Develop an implementable strategy to incorporate MA+R project deliverables into implementing partners’ regular program or activities; 
• Manage field team in the province and coordinate closely with other teams at Rare Bogor office to produce tracking tools for MA+R project implementation; to align field work with larger Rare strategy in Indonesia
• Lead site behavior adoption program that uses proven Rare’s methodologies and monitor the adoption to ensure its sustainability;  
• Work closely with local government and other implementing partners to manage and facilitate the execution of project deliverables in effective ways;
• Provide direct and indirect support of implementing MA+R interventions, i.e. financial inclusion, MA+R design, policy and government engagement, and fisher group establishment in target communities;   
• Play a significant part in training and capacity building activities for the implementing partners and actively monitor the learning progress vis-à-vis MA+R project implementation;
• Strengthen networks and develop collaborative efforts with Universities and other NGOs to ensure stronger government partner’s buy-in to MA+R program;
• Create alignment of all pillars in Fish Forever Program with Rare’s M&E model and methodologies and global data needs and manage data and conduct data analyses.

Assist effective project management activities (30%)

• Assist team to manage time, cost and quality of MA+R project implementation including provision of innovative project management instruments;
• Manage expenditures of the program, review implementing partner activity budgets and expense reports, and contribute to fundraising activities as needed.
• Build and maintain networks and relationships with local implementing partners and capitalize these networks to increase Rare profiles or project’s bright spots;
• Create communication plans with all related stakeholders to build project ownership and support throughout project time span; 
• Manage, communicate and report on activities and progress, towards final outcomes of each program element.

Required Experience and Education

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in coastal community development/behaviour change/small scale fisheries/community development program in the sustainable use of natural resources and specifically in fishery sector;
• Strong understanding of technical and socioeconomic data needed for MA+R design and ability to analyse the data for effective site project implementation;
• Proven expertise in project planning, project management, and management skills and demonstrate people-oriented focus;
• Proficient in English and Bahasa Indonesia language skills – both written and oral;
• Experience in using MS Office suite, databases, graphics and willing to learn new software;
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field required, Masters degree highly preferred;
• Experience in solving problems and ability to apply conflict resolution and negotiation techniques to achieve results;
• Proven success in being able to thrive in team environments, solution oriented, having a strong understanding of diversity and other cultures;
• 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). Senior Program Manager, North Sulawesi Province should be comfortable and proficient with working with government officials at all levels and communities, and at all stages of project implementation.

Physical Demands

This position is a role with specific physical demands specially during monitoring 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, motor cycle).

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.

Please click this link to apply the job online: https://careers-rare.icims.com/jobs/1402/senior-manager%2c-north-sulawesi-province-ma%2br-program%2c-indonesia/job