Regional Marine Director-EAMWIO
Wildlife Conservation Society
Rwanda
Posted on Jul 16, 2025
17-Mar-2022
Regional Marine Director-EAMWIO
Rwanda
Full-Time
GLOBAL CONSERVATION
Job Description
Position: Regional Marine Director-East Africa, Madagascar & West Indian Ocean (EAMWIO)
Reports to: Regional Director, East Africa, Madagascar & West Indian Ocean
Location: WCS regional office in Rwanda, with flexibility to be assigned in WCS office within East Africa, Madagascar & West Indian Ocean
Department/Division: East Africa, Madagascar & West Indian Ocean Program
Position Type: Full-time
Internal Liaison: Global Marine Program staff, Country Directors, Regional Technical and Program staff, International Policy
Expected Travel: Significant travel within East Africa, Madagascar & West Indian Ocean region
About the Organisational
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, tax-exempt, private organisation 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, field presence in 56 nations, and experience of helping 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 organisations, that knowledge is applied to address species, habitat and ecosystem management issues critical to improving the quality of life of poor rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct utilisation of natural resources.
About The East Africa, Madagascar & Western Indian Ocean (EAMWIO) Region
The East Africa, Madagascar & Western Indian Ocean (EAMWIO) Region comprises six country programs: Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, reporting to a regional office located in the WCS Africa Hub in Kigali, Rwanda. The extensive EAMWIO coastline is globally recognised for its importance for coastal ecosystems, including coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass. These support critically important small-scale fisheries that provide food and nutrition to millions of people. WCS has long-running site-based programs at important coastal sites in Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Tanzania managed through our country program offices. We use a science-based approach to support local communities and governments in sustainably managing marine resources. Our regional marine program is supported by regional cross-cutting staff with specialisms in areas including rights and communities, sharks and rays, and marine mammals.
Job Purpose:
The Wildlife Conservation Society seeks a motivated individual with strong technical knowledge within the marine conservation sector, as well as proven experience in project design and grants management. The successful candidate will ensure technical excellence, contribute to strategic development, fundraising, and project implementation/evaluation across a growing marine portfolio across the SEAP region, which includes a broad range of activities related to: area-based management and marine spatial planning; small-scale fisheries management; identification and management of climate-resilient coral reefs; marine species conservation; and blue finance. In addition, the position holder will assume overall management for any ongoing and future multi-country marine grants. The candidate will liaise closely with the Regional Director, EAMWIO country programs staff, other regional staff, the global marine program, international policy and other thematic and strategic development programs to ensure development, delivery, and monitoring and evaluation of robust marine projects and programs.
Major Responsibilities
Reports to: Regional Director, East Africa, Madagascar & West Indian Ocean
Location: WCS regional office in Rwanda, with flexibility to be assigned in WCS office within East Africa, Madagascar & West Indian Ocean
Department/Division: East Africa, Madagascar & West Indian Ocean Program
Position Type: Full-time
Internal Liaison: Global Marine Program staff, Country Directors, Regional Technical and Program staff, International Policy
Expected Travel: Significant travel within East Africa, Madagascar & West Indian Ocean region
About the Organisational
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, tax-exempt, private organisation 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, field presence in 56 nations, and experience of helping 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 organisations, that knowledge is applied to address species, habitat and ecosystem management issues critical to improving the quality of life of poor rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct utilisation of natural resources.
About The East Africa, Madagascar & Western Indian Ocean (EAMWIO) Region
The East Africa, Madagascar & Western Indian Ocean (EAMWIO) Region comprises six country programs: Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, reporting to a regional office located in the WCS Africa Hub in Kigali, Rwanda. The extensive EAMWIO coastline is globally recognised for its importance for coastal ecosystems, including coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass. These support critically important small-scale fisheries that provide food and nutrition to millions of people. WCS has long-running site-based programs at important coastal sites in Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Tanzania managed through our country program offices. We use a science-based approach to support local communities and governments in sustainably managing marine resources. Our regional marine program is supported by regional cross-cutting staff with specialisms in areas including rights and communities, sharks and rays, and marine mammals.
Job Purpose:
The Wildlife Conservation Society seeks a motivated individual with strong technical knowledge within the marine conservation sector, as well as proven experience in project design and grants management. The successful candidate will ensure technical excellence, contribute to strategic development, fundraising, and project implementation/evaluation across a growing marine portfolio across the SEAP region, which includes a broad range of activities related to: area-based management and marine spatial planning; small-scale fisheries management; identification and management of climate-resilient coral reefs; marine species conservation; and blue finance. In addition, the position holder will assume overall management for any ongoing and future multi-country marine grants. The candidate will liaise closely with the Regional Director, EAMWIO country programs staff, other regional staff, the global marine program, international policy and other thematic and strategic development programs to ensure development, delivery, and monitoring and evaluation of robust marine projects and programs.
Major Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership and coordination in marine program design and development across the region.
- Provide technical support for and preparation of funding proposals.
- Support the Regional Director and country program leads to achieve marine conservation goals and targets through regular communication and field visits to:
- Support work planning for field activity implementation.
- provide support and training for proper data collection, analysis, synthesis and publication;
- monitor and evaluate the impact of marine field projects, approaches and programs; and
- Provide additional assistance as needed or requested.
- Manage ongoing and future regional marine grants, currently restricted to the GFCR-funded Miamba Yetu project, with responsibilities including:
- communication with donors and project partners.
- coordination of activities.
- Preparation of technical reports.
- Represent WCS EAMWIO in interactions with multi- and bilateral donors, regional intergovernmental agencies, and non-governmental organisations focused on marine conservation activities, when needed and in coordination with the Regional and country directors.
- Act as the primary regional focal point for internal coordination across WCS Global programs on marine initiatives.
- Identify opportunities for cross-country collaboration and regional marine initiatives, including ways that support resource sharing.
- Provide technical support to the Regional Director, Global Marine program directors or country programs for the preparation of white papers, reports, conference/workshop/symposia presentations or publications, and other external communications materials.
- Facilitate knowledge exchange and resource sharing among staff with marine technical expertise within EAMWIO and share learnings and knowledge products from EAMWIO with global thematic teams.
Qualification Requirements
- Minimum Requirements and Job Skills
- A Ph.D. in marine biology, fisheries science, conservation biology or marine resource management or equivalent.
- 7-10 years’ relevant work experience, with strong skills in project administration, coordination, and development.
- Excellent communication skills in writing, editing, and oral presentations, with a clear publication track record.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including sensitivity to different cultures and worldviews.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to multitask and prioritise.
- Effective at both collaborative and independent work, with a modest level of supervision.
- Willing to undertake significant travel.
- A knowledge of regionally relevant languages, including Swahili and French, is an advantage.
- Commitment to WCS’s mission and Core Values, which are: Respect, Accountability & Transparency, Innovation, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Collaboration, and Integrity.
WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organisation complies with all applicable employment and labour laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring. We ensure that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and engaging a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. The organisation provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organisation does not discriminate for employment based on gender, race/ethnicity, religion, colour, 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 organisation complies with the spirit and intent of relevant local laws and WCS’s employment policies.
How to apply
Interested candidates who meet the above qualifications, skills, and experience should apply through the application tab by July 23rd, 2025.
Please send a detailed application/cover letter and a detailed CV. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.
#LI-TA1
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 organisation complies with the spirit and intent of relevant local laws and WCS’s employment policies.
How to apply
Interested candidates who meet the above qualifications, skills, and experience should apply through the application tab by July 23rd, 2025.
Please send a detailed application/cover letter and a detailed CV. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.
#LI-TA1
Salary Range
Competitive salary with commensurate with experience
