National Coordinator for Blue Prosperity Fiji

The Waitt Institute is seeking to hire a National Coordinator 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 work to strengthen sustainable fisheries and sustainable economic growth for enhanced inclusion, equity, and traditional knowledge to improve long-term economic stability, livelihoods, and ocean ecosystems. 

The BPF National Coordinator will guide and implement the BPF work plan and support the implementation of Fiji’s National Ocean Policy. The National Coordinator will provide strategic advice to BPF program partners, execute agreed upon deliverables, and work closely with PBF Program Coordinators, other government officials, the Waitt Institute team, and stakeholders to advance Blue Prosperity Fiji. The BPF National Coordinator will also work closely with staff from the Ministry of Economy to ensure Blue Economy and Sustainable Finance activities advance as planned in coordination with existing initiatives and other BPF work streams.  

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About the position:

• Based in Suva, Fiji at the Ministry of Economy

• Candidates must be a Fijian citizen or resident with existing right to work in Fiji, 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 during the continuation of the program (5 years anticipated)

• Reports to the Director of Climate Change & Waitt Institute Program Director

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

• Requires domestic and international travel as needed

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Duties and responsibilities in support of BPF will include

• Lead government engagement for BPF to foster support for the program and accomplish work plan targets related to marine spatial planning, sustainable fisheries, blue economy development, legal development and program outreach

• Plan, guide and execute BPF deliverables to ensure that program activities advance in a timely and efficient manner in accordance with the MOU and Work Plan 

• Maintain close communications and coordination across government ministries and agencies with a particular focus on the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Fisheries, and the Ministry of Environment to ensure the program advances as planned 

• Assist the Waitt Institute team in establishing and maintaining relations with relevant government officials and stakeholders

• Monitor the political landscape pertaining to MOU targets, and provide WI staff with relevant updates and strategic recommendations

• Proactively manage relationships with stakeholders from government, communities, NGOs, academia, private sector to foster collaborative and coordinated work that addresses Fiji’s priorities

• Provide strategic advice to the Waitt Institute team on how to best navigate programmatic engagement and decision-making

• Support the Waitt Institute team in planning and preparing meetings, and obtaining necessary approvals from government partners

• Help prepare presentations, memos, draft reports, annual work plans, and other documents as needed.

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Duties and responsibilities to support the Ministry of Economy’s oceans team will include

• Support the implementation of Fiji’s National Ocean Policy through the Climate Change Act and the work of the National Ocean Policy Steering Committee

• Attend to relevant technical meetings of the working groups that manage the marine space in Fiji

• Support the integration of blue economy aspirations in decision making, and national and international initiatives 

• Support Fiji’s Ocean Pathway Partnership to meet the ocean-climate nexus in the national and the international arena

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Minimum Qualifications Skills & Experience 

• Master’s degree in marine or fisheries science, environmental science, economics, policy, social sciences or a related field and 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

• Record of successful management of complex, collaborative science and management-based projects.

• Proven ability to effectively engage and support high-level public officials, stakeholders, and communities, preferably with experience in complex public policy processes

• Demonstrated sustainable ocean finance and blue economy related deliverables at the national and international environment with a key focus on marine policy and catalytic funds mobilization to finance ocean management.

• Demonstrated experience in facilitation, report writing and editing

• Ability to work well independently and as part of a team

• 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 “BPF National Coordinator” 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.