Sulu Seascape Lead

Organization Background

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, tax-exempt, private organization established in 1895 that saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, presence in more than 60 nations, and experience helping to establish over 150 protected areas across the globe, WCS has amassed the biological knowledge, cultural understanding, and partnerships to ensure that vibrant, wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities. Working with local communities and organizations, that knowledge is applied to address species, habitat, and ecosystem management issues critical to improving the quality of life of vulnerable communities whose livelihoods depend on the direct utilization of natural resources.

Program Background

WCS's office for the Southeast Asian Archipelago (SEAA) region is based in Singapore and is responsible for WCS conservation programs in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The SEAA region contains the third largest expanse of tropical rainforests and the majority of the Coral Triangle, the global center of marine biodiversity. The region includes over 25,000 islands and comprises the world's second, third, and sixth-largest islands (New Guinea, Borneo and Sumatra). Our current efforts focus on protecting Nature's Strongholds, including the Leuser Ecosystem and Endau Rompin landscape and some of the region's most important coastal ecosystems, including coral reefs, mangroves, seagrasses, and tidal wetlands, including in the Bohol Sea (Philippines), North Sulawesi, North Maluku, Aceh, West Nusa Tenggara (Indonesia), and Sarawak (Malaysia).

Within the SEAA region, WCS has operated for many years in Indonesia and Malaysia. In the Philippines, WCS has recently opened a branch office and, leveraging its historical project-based legacy, is now, together with local partners, designing a conservation program that will complement the many ongoing terrestrial and marine efforts in the Philippines. We are initiating efforts to build a small and impactful team, develop government, civil society, and NGO partnerships, and build out the knowledge base to inform WCS's broader conservation strategy and approach in the Philippines (for example, marine conservation, illegal wildlife trade, rights and communities, forests and climate change, and health).

WCS's initial program focus is on marine conservation and management of the Bohol Sea, adopting an integrated (land-sea) and ecosystems-based approach to conservation. The work will be implemented in partnership with the local community, peoples' organizations, and other NGOs/academe and delivered in close coordination with government agencies.

Job Purpose

Provide strong technical expertise in ridge-to-reef conservation and proven experience in scientific research, project management, community engagement, and monitoring and reporting. The Sulu Seascape Lead will drive the implementation and coordination of marine conservation and community-based livelihood activities in the Sulu-Sulawesi region, ensuring that ecological objectives and community priorities are aligned. This role combines technical conservation knowledge with strong leadership and organizational skills, overseeing staff, partners, and resources to deliver high-quality conservation outcomes.

Major Responsibilities:

1. Project Management and Implementation:

• Develop and manage project work plans and budgets focused on climate resilience, coastal ecosystem protection, and sustainable livelihoods in small island communities.
• Coordinate and oversee site-based activities with partners, consultants, and local stakeholders, ensuring inclusive and participatory approaches.
• Monitor work and financial plans of implementing partners to ensure alignment with project objectives.
• Organize and facilitate project meetings, workshops, and learning events.
• Ensure informed consent and inclusive approaches for workplan and budget planning with project partners and consultants.

2. Community and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Engage with the local government units, LGU, local communities and stakeholders to promote conservation initiatives and foster collaboration.
• Facilitate community-based activities, such as awareness programs and conservation workshops and feedback sessions, to build local support and participation.
• Address community concerns and incorporate their feedback into field operations and project planning.
• Provide relevant technical advice to project partners and community stakeholders when appropriate

3. Data Management, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, and Reporting:

• Oversee the collection, management, and analysis of field data, ensuring accuracy and reliability, and alignment with WCS standards. Prepare and submit timely and comprehensive reports on field activities, progress, and outcomes, highlighting both technical and operational aspects. Ensure that data and results are effectively communicated to partners and project stakeholders for evidence-based decision making ona timely basis.

4. Capacity Building and Training:

• Provide training and capacity-building opportunities for field staff to enhance their skills in conservation and operational procedures.
• Mentor and develop team members, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous learning and professional growth.

5. Others/Ad-hoc

• Support organizing of public forums, consultations, events, and activities of Philippines country program.
• Ensure compliance with financial, procurement, and record-keeping systems.
• Support vendor and procurement processes and reporting.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the line manager

Minimum Requirements:

• University degree in development studies, social sciences, community work, environmental management or other relevant disciplines.
• Minimum three (3) years of relevant experience with non-profit, government, or private sectors working on project management
• Proven experience in administration, managing field operations, including logistical coordination and data management
• Knowledgeable on conservation issues and opportunities.
• Experience working with rural or indigenous communities, and understanding of their socio-cultural contexts
• Experience with research and publication writing and implementing advocacy initiatives.
• Excellent project management, communication, writing, negotiation, and facilitation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to apply culture and gender-sensitive approaches to project activities and programs.
• Willing to travel internally/locally and within other project sites.
• Proficiency in spoken and written Filipino, English and can understand languages in Tawi-Tawi (Sama, Tausug).
• Start-up and service-oriented mindset, willing to support a dynamic team and a variety of tasks to ensure program growth and sustainability.
• Flexibility to work overlapping hours with teams located in different time zones.
• Alignment to WCS Core Values of respect, accountability and transparency, innovation, diversity and inclusion, collaboration, and integrity.

WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and engaging in a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share the same values. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on gender, race/ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, caste, genetic information or any other covered status or characteristic protected by laws and regulations/and similar categories.

It is everyone's responsibility to ensure that we do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon a person's membership in one of these protected categories in areas such as recruitment, selection, job assignment, supervision, training, promotions, job grading, transfers, termination, compensation, benefits, educational opportunities, WCS sponsored recreational activities and facilities.

The organization complies with the spirit and intent of relevant local laws and WCS's employment policies.

Job Type: Full-time

Experience:

• project coordination, administration, or NGO program support: 3 years (Required)

Work Location: In person