Reports to: Marine Coordinator
Location: Sabah
Country Program/Sector: Malaysia
Position Type: Full-time
Expected Travel: Periodic travel to project sites, and to government agency offices within project site states and the Klang Valley is expected. Other national and international travel as and when is required.
Organizational 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 poor rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct utilization of natural resources.
WCS Malaysia Program:
Wildlife Conservation and Science (Malaysia) Bhd (WCS) was officially registered in Malaysia in 2010. With a team of over 40 staff, WCS Malaysia aims to save wildlife and wild places across Malaysia (currently the three Malaysian states of Sarawak, Johor and Pahang) through the use of science, conservation action, education and inspiring people to value nature. The current long-term focal sites are: i) the core orang-utan habitats of Batang-Ai-Lanjak-Entimau Landscape, and ii) the Tiger source site of Endau-Rompin Landscape in Johor and Pahang. In Johor, WCS Malaysia works in collaboration with government partners under the Johor Wildlife Conservation Project to protect endangered wildlife and habitats.
Job Summary:
The primary function of this position is to assist the Marine Program Manager to co-develop and deliver the marine conservation initiatives within WCS’s conservation program particularly in Sabah, Malaysia. The senior researcher will conduct relevant research for the identified project sites, collect information on threats, and support coral reef conservation, aid in strengthening marine protected area effectiveness, as well as work with local communities in support of marine conservation efforts, if any at the project sites. The position will work under the supervision of the Marine Program Manager and have collaboration with conservation colleagues across the wider WCS Country, Regional and Global conservation program.
Major responsibilities:
Project implementation
• Co-develop project workplans, support budget preparations, and coordinate the day-to-day implementation/schedules of our work in Malaysia.
• Ensure appropriate collection, analysis, dissemination and publication of field data.
• Implement robust ecological and socioeconomic research to support MPA management effectiveness or creation and coral reef conservation.
• Prepare and write project reports, and manage expenses for project monitoring and documentation as supervised by the Marine Program Manager.
• Coordinate routine project governance meetings and deliverables.
• Establish and maintain processes to support the coordination of the project with internal program staff and project partners as supervised by the Marine Program Manager, when necessary
• Support in procurement activities such as vendor liaison and hiring contractors.
• Assist in maintaining field equipment
Engagement with communities and partners
• Maintain good relationships with project partners and stakeholder participation; ensure routine communications/reporting and document their feedback and evaluation of project outputs and outcomes and public engagement in coordination with the public affairs and communications team.
• Work with local NGOs, and other partners such as community stakeholders, and government agencies to identify capacity gaps and facilitate discussions and training, when necessary.
• Mobilize individuals and raise awareness in a community setting around a common goal, project/activity, or issue.
• Assess community capacity building needs and coordinate activities within the project framework.
• Ensure stakeholders views are heard and managed towards the best solution.
• Develop strategic partnerships and relationships with relevant government bodies and agencies and community stakeholders on behalf of the project in coordination with the Marine Program Manager.
• Support the program staff to understand and manage the project’s impact on local communities in the project site.
Other tasks
• Prepare necessary project correspondences and presentation materials and reports for meetings; facilitate meetings if applicable.
• Assist the Marine Program Manager in preparing reports and documents for all stakeholders.
• Manage the field expenses and claims.
• Assist and support in other activities related to projects from time to time.
• Other related duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Country Director.
Minimum Requirements:
• Post-graduate degree or degree in marine or fisheries science, oceanography, coastal resources or environmental management, species/fisheries management, or other relevant fields.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in technical/scientific monitoring and evaluation roles with non-profit, academic, or government organizations working on marine conservation, MPAs, fisheries management, conservation policy and law enforcement, Indigenous Peoples, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience in project management, research, monitoring and evaluation, and fundraising.
• Good working understanding of information systems, conservation technology (such as MERMAID), remote sensing, and GIS.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to build relationships and collaborate with government agencies, civil society partners, and donors, and work successfully within multi-disciplinary teams.
• Ability to work sensitively and effectively with people of diverse cultures, value systems, perspectives and levels of education, and to manage staff in these contexts.
• Good working knowledge of the field of MPAs, natural resource management, socio-ecological systems, and/or other relevant conservation approaches.
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English and Bahasa Malaysia.
• Candidates must be Malaysian.
• A willingness to travel both nationally and regionally.
• Commitment to WCS’s 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 supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on age, colour, disability, gender identify, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by laws and regulations.
Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications, should send your queries and applications to Mary Barton at mabarton@wcs.org. Please include the following in your application:
• a cover letter
• a detailed resume
• a passport sized photo
• the names and contact details of two references