The Waitt Institute is seeking to hire three Program Coordinators to support Blue Prosperity Fiji (BPF), a new government-led program to strengthen sustainable economic development and ocean protection in Fiji. The program stems from a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Fiji and the Waitt Institute to support 30% protection and 100% management of Fiji’s waters leading to a network of Marine Protected Areas. BPF will also work towards sustainable fisheries, and support Blue Economy and sustainable finance leading to enhanced inclusion, equity, and traditional knowledge to improve long-term economic stability, livelihoods, and ocean ecosystems. 

 

The Program Coordinator positions will be housed at the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Fisheries and the Ministry of Environment to support the Government of Fiji in its engagement with the program.

 

The Program Coordinator supporting the Ministry of Fisheries will work closely with staff from the Ministry, the Waitt Institute and other government officials to ensure sustainable fisheries activities advance as planned in coordination with existing initiatives and other BPF work streams.

​

About the position:

• Based in Suva, Fiji at the Ministry of Fisheries

• Candidate must be Fijian citizen and have fluency in English. Fluency in Fijian and/or Hindi will be an added advantage

• Comfort working cross-culturally as part of a diverse team, headquartered in the US

• Full-time, 1 year contract position (40 hrs/wk) with strong potential for renewal for up to 5 years

• Reports to the BPF National Coordinator and Waitt Institute Program Director

• Eligible for all Fijian public holidays and 10 days of paid time off

 

Duties and responsibilities will include

• Support Ministry of Fisheries in its engagement with Blue Prosperity Fiji, working closely with staff from the Ministry and the Waitt Institute team to execute the joint work plan and ensure the program advances as planned

• Build and maintain relationships to keep government officials (Ministers, Permanent Secretaries), technical staff, and committee members engaged and informed

• Attend regular planning meetings to facilitate information flow, data sharing, technical input, approvals and decision-making, tracking progress and outcomes to ensure decisions are noted and actioned.

• Support the establishment of the BPF governance structure

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

• Develop memos, reports, and presentations to raise awareness

• Execute agreed upon deliverables based on the BPF work plan

 

Minimum Qualifications Skills & Experience

• Master’s degree in marine or fisheries science, environmental science, policy, economics, business, law, political science, social sciences or a related field with a minimum of 8 years of work experience. May consider: Bachelor’s degree in above disciplines with exceptional experience or job suitability

• 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 staff (e.g. Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, technical staff), stakeholders, and communities

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, including the ability to understand scientific information and translate 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 with experience working closely with local communities (working experience with the government practices will be an added advantage);

• Desired: Experience in facilitation, networking, collaborative projects, report writing, and editing; and

• Strong commitment to sustainable and progressive ocean management 

 

Salary

A competitive remuneration package based on experience

 

To apply:

Kindly send an email of your resume & cover letter written in English with “PBF Program Coordinator – Ministry of Fisheries” in the subject line of the  email to Waitt Institute’s Program Manager, Mr. Cory Pukini (cpukini@waittinstitute.org) by April 16, 2022 to be considered for a position.  The position remains open until filled.

​