Regional Coordinator - Marine & Coastal Areas- Gulf of Guinea Ecoregion, West and Central Africa Regional Office, Dakar

Regional Coordinator - Marine & Coastal Areas - Gulf of Guinea Ecoregion, West and Central Africa Regional Office, Dakar

Organization: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Location: West and Central Africa Regional Office, Dakar, Senegal

Reporting to: Regional Director - IUCN West and Central Africa

Work percentage: 100%

Grade: M1

Expected start date: 01 September 2026

Type of contract: Fixed-term (up to 24 months with possibility of renewal)

Closing date: 26 July 2026

Background

The Regional Coordinator - Marine & Coastal Areas - Gulf of Guinea Ecoregion will be responsible for the management of a large portfolio of multi-million and multiple-donor 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 for 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

I. 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: effective and institutionally aligned programming and project implementation, systematic monitoring and evaluation of on-going programmatic activities; 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 IUCN'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.

II. 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.

III. 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.

IV. 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.

V. 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.

VI. Other responsibilities

Perform any other duties as may be assigned.

Profile

Education

Advanced university degree (master's degree minimum) in environmental sciences and nature conservation and management, marine and coastal sciences and conservation, environmental and natural resources policy, and project and programme management.

Experience

The successful candidate will have demonstrated the following: At least 8 years of relevant work experience, among which a minimum of 5 years international experience in technical and managerial leadership in the fields of nature and marine conservation and natural resources management, sustainable development.

Required skills

• Exposure to and knowledge of major marine and coastal conservation issues, both policy and field related.
• Relevant working experience on issues related to marine and coastal conservation in Africa, and nature conservation broadly.
• Strong experience with project and programme development and management.
• Experience with important bilateral and multilateral donors.
• Demonstrated fundraising, budgeting and programme planning ability.
• Demonstrated skills in network development and network administration and ability to achieve results through networking in cross-cultural situations.
• Lead and inspire multicultural and multidisciplinary teams.
• Fluency in French and English (written and spoken).
• Advanced computer processing skills.

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