OFFICE LOCATION

Belmopan, Belize

WHO WE ARE

The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube   to hear stories from staff or visit  Glassdoor.

One of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the people.”

WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER

The Belize Fisheries Specialist oversees the development and implementation of TNC’s Fisheries Program in Belize. They will advance TNCs agenda in Belize by providing technical and scientific support to the Oceans Manager and implement effective and impactful strategies to advance Fisheries Program goals under TNC’s Shared Conservation Agenda: 1) Provide Food and Water Sustainably, 2) Protect Oceans, Lands and Water and 3) Tackle Climate Change and align with the Latin America Region’s (LAR) Selva Maya and Mesoamerican Reef Iconic Landscapes strategy. The Fisheries Specialist is a position within TNC’s Belize Program team and will report to the Belize Oceans Manager. The base location for the position will be TNC’s office located in Belmopan, Belize. Working remotely from a home office situated in Belize is permitted, provided this does not detract from frequent physical attendance of meetings/workshops etc. both in Belize and abroad. May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU

Want to help save the planet? Through the efforts of The Nature Conservancy 486,000 acres in Belize have been preserved for people and nature.  From the mountains to the sea, TNC Belize is dedicated to conserving the natural resources that make Belize unique. This is an exceptional career opportunity for a highly motivated, capable individual interested in joining the world’s leading conservation organization!

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Fisheries Specialist develops, coordinates and supports priority fisheries projects in Belize and serves as a technical resource on fisheries sustainability in the wider Central America region and beyond. They will apply a diversified knowledge of fisheries-related scientific principles and practices to a broad variety of assignments, from research, analysis and writing, to strategy development, project coordination and management, and engagement with key stakeholders including fishing communities, government, NGO conservation partners, scientific community, and private sector.

Uses TNC’s code of conduct and competencies as a baseline to conduct their actions and be an example for others. 

Specific functions include:

• Supports strategy development of TNC’s Belize Fisheries Program. 
• Coordinates and implements project activities related to the Belize Spiny Lobster Fishery Improvement Project, seafood electronic traceability, and other digital transformations to Belize’s seafood export industry.
• Provides team support, technical information, and advises on fisheries work in Belize and Central America.
• Builds strategic partnerships with internal and external scientists, government and quasi-government agencies (Belize Ministry of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation, Belize Fisheries Department, Belize Department of Cooperatives, BAHA, Beltraide etc.), fishing cooperatives, private seafood processors, fisher associations, fishing communities, seaweed industry stakeholders, and NGO conservation partners to enhance implementation of TNC’s fisheries work in Belize. 
• Supports the Belize Oceans Manager in building partnerships to advance fisheries policies with regional fisheries bodies (e.g. OSPESCA, CRFM).
• Coordinates with TNC colleagues across the organisation and helps draw on relevant expertise and support.
• Supports fundraising efforts, including writing and editing proposals, reports, and fundraising materials, as well as with fundraising trips and events. 
• Financial responsibility will include working within/managing a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with partners, consultants, vendors, assisting with budget development, and meeting fundraising targets. 
• Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements. 
• Under minimal supervision, makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and judgement.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally to fisheries-oriented conferences, workshops, symposia and other meetings, including during evening and weekend hours, ensuring alignment with program objectives.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, at sea or on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU

• BA/BS, in marine science, environmental management, coastal management or related field and 5 years’ experience in natural resource management or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience negotiating complex agreements.  
• Supervisory experience.
• Knowledge and experience of socio-political landscape in Belize pertaining to marine affairs.
• Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Web Browsers.
• Experience in producing peer-reviewed scientific journal publications. 
• Experience in use of statistical software (e.g. R, SPSS) for scientific data analysis. Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies. Complete COVID-19 vaccination scheme.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated 
• Understanding of key contextual issues and dynamics relating to fisheries management, marine based aquaculture and marine spatial planning in Belize, with relevant work experience in the region.
• Knowledge of fisheries monitoring protocols and management tools and policies in Belize and the region (Central America & Caribbean).
• Understanding of end-to-end seafood supply chains, electronic traceability, digital transformations in seafood supply chains, seafood economics and storied fish marketing strategies.
• Familiarity with national and regional fisheries- and other marine-management policies and frameworks (Blue Economy Strategies, Belize Fisheries Resources Act 2020, OSPESCA/CRFM regulations and regional management plans). 
• Completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
• Excellent communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means in English, Spanish and Belizean Creole.
• Possesses a valid driver’s license.
• Certified SCUBA diver.

APPLY NOW

To apply for job ID 52491, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by 11:59 PM EST on November 21st, 2022. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact [email protected].

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [email protected] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

Where legally permissible, TNC requires all new employees to be fully vaccinated and willing to keep up to date with vaccines that protect against COVID-19.   By accepting an offer of employment, you agree to comply with this requirement, unless you are entitled to a legally mandated exemption.

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role while committing to closing the gender pay gap and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.