Marine Conservation – Program Manager

Length of Contract: 1 year (with the possibility for extension)

Location: Seychelles - Belize - Tenerife (communal living)

To apply

Please submit your application: https://www.careersabroad.co.uk/current-vacancies/

If you have applied already, please note that your application has been received and will be considered.

About the role

GVI is looking for experienced marine conservation professionals to join us as Program Managers in various exciting locations around the world, including the Seychelles, Tenerife and Belize. Program Managers are responsible for the overall day to day delivery of GVI projects in a particular location, including quality, impact and safety, as well as the overall effective functioning of the base.

The ideal candidate for an In-Country Program Manager position will above all else be passionate about sharing their love of marine conservation with others. In addition they will bring to the role:

• experience in staff and volunteer management
• operations experience
• a professional qualification in both marine conservation and diving

Responsibilities:

• Oversee day to day logistics of the program including participant arrivals, departures, visits off base, day to day needs, base scheduling, ensuring all participants know what they’re doing, when, and the day to day functions smoothly.
• In conjunction with the People function and line manager, ensure the availability of staff to meet the requirements as well as oversee training and onboarding of all new staff and participants
• Effectively manage any issues that come up in the field on a day to day basis, including participant complaints, medical issues, natural disasters etc.
• Connect and liaise with in-country partners to build and maintain relationships, ensuring projects are locally driven and have maximum valuable impact.
• Implement project monitoring across participants, staff, community members and partners and periodic evaluation of impact.
• Responsible for financial and overall reporting of the hub and working with line manager to utilize the recommended detailed analysis of the participant plan, hub costs and staff costs data to manage hub in an efficient manner.
• Work with the line manager to roll out defined best practice covering all key aspects of the hub’s programs and operations.
• Provide recommendations to line managers and liaise with Central Support to develop and implement new programs and initiatives as required.
• Ensure the successful implementation and delivery of all GVI marketing and internal communication initiatives.
• Work with central to ensure in-country legal compliance and maintain desired legal status through accurate and timely reporting.
• The Program Manager should expect to spend 4/5 days a week on “office” activities and 1 day in the field per week.

Requirements:

• 3 years + marine conservation field experience
• Diving background (minimum PADI Divemaster)
• Health and Safety trained
• Ability to identify and maintain minimum standards and best practices
• Excellent people management, communication and coordination skills
• Management experience of a multidisciplinary and multicultural staff and volunteer team
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to effectively prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
• The ability to identify problem areas and utilize problem solving and decision-making skills to put an action plan in place to rapidly improve
• Strong program management and program development skills
• Excellent report writing skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Excel) and Google Drive

About GVI

We are a multi-award-winning social enterprise on a mission to build a global network of people united by their passion to make a difference. We run all our own sustainable development programs in 13 countries worldwide aligned to the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

To ensure we are truly having a lasting positive impact, we partner with local governmental and non-governmental organisations on the ground. More than 35,000 participants have either volunteered, interned, or studied abroad with us over the course of our 21 years in operation, and most have noted the experience as ‘life-changing.’

We are a pretty hard-working bunch, but we are committed to keeping things lighthearted. You’re just as likely to walk into a heated discussion about a current topic in sustainable development as one about which Hogwarts house you might be sorted into.

Please note: We will do our utmost to respond to all applicants, however given the large volume of applications we receive, this isn't always possible. If you do not hear back from us within three-four weeks, please take it that on this occasion your application was unsuccessful.