What We Can Achieve Together:

The URT Marine Ecology Officer will support TNC’s implementation of an EU-funded project. As part of the broader ‘Blue Economy for Job Creation and Climate Change Adaptation Programme’, the EU, in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is implementing a four-year project (2024–2028) titled Pamoja Tuhifadhi Bahari Yetu (Together We Protect Our Ocean). With a budget of €11 million, this project aligns with the EU’s Blue Economy Programme, focusing specifically on environmental protection and the sustainable, climate-resilient management of coastal ecosystems.

The Bahari Yetu project’s overarching goal is to enhance environmental protection and biodiversity conservation in Tanzania’s coastal and marine ecosystems. It comprises five key components: (i) Protection of Marine Resources and Biodiversity, (ii) Strengthening Community-led Management of Coastal Forests, (iii) Combating Plastic Litter in Marine and Estuary Water Bodies, (iv) Improving Institutional Capacities for Research, Monitoring, Surveillance, and Management of Coastal and Marine Resources, and (v) Project Management, Coordination, and Acceleration of Impact.

Key implementing partners include The Nature Conservancy, the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and the Forum on Climate Change (ForumCC). The project is being rolled out in targeted areas of the Mtwara, Coastal, and Dar es Salaam regions, as well as Unguja Island in Zanzibar.

The URT Marine Ecology Officer will support a program-focused team working towards work package 1 which focuses on the Protection of Marine Resources and Biodiversity, and Output 1.1, which aims to improve integrated actions for the conservation of marine and coastal ecosystems while enhancing livelihoods, Marine Ecology Officer will support the inventory of key marine ecosystems, including coral reefs, seaweed, and seagrass . The project will also undertake restoration of degraded ecosystems, specifically targeting the Mtwara and North and South Unguja Seascapes. The URT Marine Ecology Officert will also coordinate the quantification of economic, environmental, and social valuation of key ecosystems goods and services through IUCN’s Natural Capital Valuation framework.

The URT Marine Ecology Officer will also support the implementation of Africa Ocean Strategy and Tanzania Ocean Country Strategy with special attention to marine spatial planning and blue economy. Grounded on science, the role provides scientific support to TNC’s conservation work in this EU-funded project.

The URT Marine Ecology Officer will support community based strategic partnerships and report to the URT MSP Coordinator and work closely with TNC’s Africa Ocean Project team, Africa Fisheries Team, and Global Oceans Team. The position will be based at TNC’s office in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and may involve significant domestic and international travel. This is a 2-year contract with the possibility of extension dependent on funding availability and performance.

We’re Looking for You:

Roles and Responsibilities

• Coordinate and support the design, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the Pamoja Tuhifadhi Bahari Yetu, workplans, key deliverables, outputs and outcomes, drawing on over 10 years of experience managing marine biodiversity and climate adaptation projects in Tanzania and Zanzibar.
• Coordinate all fieldwork activities, including preparing data collection protocols and procedures, where possible participating in fieldwork activities, and supporting data collection, entry, analysis, and archiving specifically in Mtwara and Unguja North.
• Oversee tracking of Pamoja Tuhifadhi Bahari Yetu workplans to ensure timely delivery of activities assigned to TNC are implemented on schedule and deliverables meet EU - IUCN and TNC requirements; all the while identifying any implementation challenges and providing the necessary support to address them.
• Facilitate consultations with communities and partners (including IUCN, WWF, WCS and Forum CC) to create and advance community-based strategies for better managed, productive, and healthier coastal ecosystems.
• Representing TNC’s Oceans Strategy and interests within the country and the WIO region, including development of new partnerships.
• Coordinate the production of project quarterly and final reports, presentations, communication materials, and assessments on Pamoja Tuhifadhi Bahari Yetu. Build on previous experience in producing technical reports.
• Coordinate fellows, interns, University Students and consultants working on Pamoja Tuhifadhi Bahari Yetu and/or the URT Marine Program to advance program objectives.
• Support field-based operations in challenging environments, including remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances experienced diver will be an additional advantage.

• BA/BS, law or business degree and 5 years’ in marine ecology, science, aquatic sciences and fisheries, conservation and management, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in marine science and/or management and/or aquatic sciences and fisheries, natural resource assessment and management.
• Fluency in Kiswahili and English and multi-cultural experience.
• Over 5 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience including diving.
• Strong ability to interpret and analyze scientific, social, and economic data related to coastal and marine ecosystems and apply it in the implementation of the Pamoja Tuhifadhi Bahari Yetu.
• Experience in developing and implementing training and workshops.
• Experience implementing and reporting on donor-funded projects.
• Willingness and ability to undertake extended periods of field travel (at least 70%) domestically.
• Knowledge of methods and standards of marine biodiversity information systems and initiatives or related field.
• Strong team player and politically savvy.