The Regional Marine and Coastal, and Gulf of Guinea Ecoregion Programme Coordinator will be responsible of the management of a large portfolio of multi million and multiple-donors large initiatives to deliver high level programmatic results such as to drive and inspire regional marine conservation agenda and demonstrate the contribution of IUCN to regional and global environmental and sustainable development ambitions. S/he is expected to provide vision, inspiration and leadership on marine and coastal conservation and management and influence and contribution to regional countries to transition to blue economy. S/he will develop, resource, and manage IUCN’s marine and coastal programme as well as the Gulf of Guinea Ecoregion programme activities in the region in close collaboration with other relevant IUCN programmes, Members, Commissions and partners. S/he will be responsible of the overall management of MACO and Gulf of Guinea Ecoregion Programme and ensure its coherence and consistency with the IUCN’s “One Programme” approach, build on and align with IUCN’s marine and coastal conservation framework, and add value to regionally and nationally defined priorities.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND SPECIFIC DUTIES

Lead role in the development and implementation of the MACO and Gulf of Guinea Ecoregion Programme
• Take a lead role in the development of the Regional Marine and Coastal, Gulf of Guinea Ecoregion Programme through providing vision and guidance in developing a well-defined strategic focus in the short, medium and long term, ensuring:
o effective and institutionally aligned programming and project implementation, systematic monitoring and evaluation of on-going programmatic activities,
o coherent and consistent communication of lessons learnt to key decision-makers within the region.

• Ensure an agile Programme Planning and Monitoring

• Provide technical advice, guidance and support on marine and coastal conservation to Country Offices and Thematic Programmes, and act as the UICN’s focal point on Marine and Coastal, and Gulf of Guinea Ecoregion related issues, with Members, Commissions, partners and other IUCN component programmes as required.

• Coordinate the development, analysis and dissemination of marine and coastal policies relevant to the Region in the most effective way.

• Oversee the development and implementation of any relevant marine and coastal initiative in the Region and in the Gulf of Guinea Ecoregion, and provide, where needed, guidance and support to the development and implementation of other IUCN cross-cutting initiatives.

• Capitalize and disseminate lessons learnt from programmes and projects as well as those learnt from partners and colleagues, programme management and oversight.

• Support the organisational development related to programmatic structures within the PACO.

Lead role in technical and financial management of the MACO and Gulf of Guinea Ecoregion Programme

• Ensure the sound technical and financial management of the MACO and Gulf of Guinea Ecoregion Programme.

• Oversee the development and implementation of annual budgets and work plans and provide a timely progress report of the programme financial and technical activities in accordance with IUCN’s practices.

• Ensure the overall quality assurance of the MACO and Gulf of Guinea Ecoregion portfolio.

• Ensure implementation of and compliance with IUCN and donor policies, standards and procedures.

Partnership and Programme Development

• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships, synergies and appropriate collaboration with relevant stakeholders on marine and coastal-related issues and ensure meaningful engagement of local IUCN Members in the implementation of the MACO and Gulf of Guinea Ecoregion portfolio.

• Lead fundraising for the MACO and Gulf of Guinea Ecoregion Programme through development of proposals, maintaining good relationships with donor and funding agencies to ensure the financial viability of the Programme.

• Work closely with IUCN Commissions, Country offices, and thematic programmes to develop and maintain an appropriate project portfolio and funding for implementation of the MACO and Gulf of Guinea Ecoregion Programme.

• Contribute to the establishment of a framework for collaboration with marine and coastal stakeholders and contribute to positioning IUCN in the Gulf of Guinea Ecoregion through initiatives and program development.

MACO and Gulf of Guinea representation and visibility

• Ensure that IUCN is adequately represented in relevant regional and international fora and negotiations on programme of work related to marine and coastal, and Gulf of Guinea Ecoregion management issues.

• Facilitate discussions on relevant marine and coastal emerging issues and Gulf of Guinea Ecoregion as well to position IUCN as a reference in the region.

Team and staff management and supervision

• Supervise staff and lead capacity development on issues related to marine and coastal conservation in component programmes.

• Work with colleagues in and beyond the region on marine and coastal issues to ensure that the group functions as an integrated team, that there is coherence and consistency in the policy statements, and that a high quality of technical and policy advice is given to field programmes and projects.

Other responsibilities

• Perform any other duties as may be assigned.