Marine Biodiversity Lead – USAID/Timor-Leste Healthy Ocean, Protected Environment (HOPE) for a Resilient Community Activity

About Palladium:  
Palladium is a global company working to design, develop and deliver positive impact on the lives and livelihoods of people around the globe; broaden access to health, water, power, and infrastructure; build enduring, sustainable, and transformative institutions and market systems to address global challenges; and conserve the natural world. We operate in over 90 countries and have a workforce of 4,000 talented, motivated, and diverse staff of all religions, races, languages, and gender identities.    

This Proposal Opportunity:  
The USAID/Timor-Leste Healthy Ocean, Protected Environment (HOPE) for a Resilient Community Activity is a 5-year activity that seeks to strengthen biodiversity conservation efforts in Timor-Leste in the marine environment, support local communities to be more resilient to climate impacts, and inclusively and sustainably ensure the sustainable use of natural resources in development. The total estimated cost for this activity ranges from $10M to $25M USD. The program is expected to target Atauro Island and the northern coastal communities of Timor-Leste. 

Position Summary:
The Marine Biodiversity Lead will lead and oversee the achievement of activities under Objective 1: Coastal Marine Biodiversity Conservation Strengthened. This individual will design and implement the program’s strategy for achieving key conservation and rehabilitation targets, overseeing a lean team supplemented with specialized short-term technical experts to achieve those goals. The individual will have an in-depth understanding of the threats to marine and coastal biodiversity in Timor-Leste, development and management of various kinds of marine protected areas, country-specific knowledge on how to engage local communities in biodiversity conservation, and a network of stakeholders in the public and/or private sector to advance capacity-building activities alongside local actors in key sectors such as sustainable tourism, fisheries, and aquaculture. The Marine Biodiversity Lead’s responsibilities include oversight and coordination of the Objective 1 team and related field operations, budgeting management, human resources, and local recruitment. This position will be based in Dili, Timor-Leste.

*This is an anticipated project, and all positions are contingent upon award from USAID. * 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 

The Climate Resilience Lead will:

Collaborate with different stakeholders, including relevant Government of Timor Leste stakeholders, local communities, and the private sector to implement marine biodiversity conservation and coastal community livelihood initiatives.Lead regulatory action and support for establishing and managing marine protected areas (MPAs); collaborate with the national government to develop effective public financial management capacity, build on the tara bandu process, and develop sustainable management plans.Work alongside other program leaders to mitigate shore-based risks through holistic development plans for local communities.Lead activities supporting the sustainability of the fishing industry and reducing unsustainable resource extraction.Develop and lead implementation of innovative financing strategies, including coral reef credits, blue bonds, and other opportunities.Lead activities to conserve coral reefs, rehabilitate and reforest mangroves, and reduce risks to seagrasses.Lead the development of sustainable ecotourism initiatives, including capacity building, marketing, and natural resource monitoring and management.Serve as a member of the senior leadership team of the program and support the COP in leadership and oversight of project staff and activities. As such, provides senior leadership, management oversight, and coordination on all matters project wide.Serve as the COP’s primary point of contact for current information about the status of activity implementation for Objective 1.Lead development of O1 inputs for work plans, budgets, and quarterly/annual reports.Ensure effective implementation of program strategy as articulated in the work plan.Inform the setting of annual and 5-year program targets against relevant indicators, and maintain responsibility for achieving or exceeding those targets on time and within budget.Work with the COP and other project staff to continuously refine implementation processes by integrating lessons learned and best practices.In collaboration with the MEL team, ensure relevant staff use, maintain and regularly upload data to the project M&E system.Participate in and/or prepare necessary project-related reports, including presentations and white papers.Provide analytical and evaluative techniques to identify, consider, and resolve issues or problems.Participate, and represent the organization as needed, in outside associations, conferences, and symposia.Undertake other duties as assigned by the COP. 

Required Qualifications:

A degree in environmental science, ecosystem management, climate change, or a related field.Demonstrated ability to design strategies for improving coastal and marine conservation, preferably in Timor Leste.Experience with activity implementation and monitoring, preferably including community-level activities, with experience in USAID-funded projects. Experience with a donor, contractor or international NGO in a relevant sector such as marine protected area management, sustainable fisheries, coastal restoration, ecotourism, and mangrove rehabilitation.Proven ability to leverage and manage partnerships with government, private sector, and/or civil society partners in implementing donor-funded projects preferred.Strong oral and written communication skills, including presentation experience to high-level audiences, fluency in English. Fluency in Portuguese and/or Tetum preferred.Strong interpersonal and management skills.Strong analytical and conceptual skills and the ability to think and plan strategically, ability to manage a culturally and linguistically diverse staff, consultants, and counterparts.Attention to detail and ability to effectively and efficiently perform multiple tasks and balance competing priorities, often within a required timeframe.Professional and diplomatic demeanor and conduct, especially during interactions with the client and its constituents, particularly regarding the Timor Leste government.

Timor Leste nationals with relevant experience are encouraged to apply.

Our company provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.