Marine Environmental Specialist, Peru

Organization: CUSO-VSO in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund

Title: Marine Environmental Specialist

Location: Atalaya-Ucayali, Peru

Duration: 12 Months

Start Date: Feb. 2012

Overview

CUSO-VSO is a non-profit development agency that works through volunteers. Each year, we send hundreds of global citizens to work on collaborative development projects in more than 20 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. We are one of North America’s leading international development organizations that works through volunteers.

WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by:
– conserving the world’s biological diversity
– ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable
– promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption

WWF Peru is currently developing a strategic plan for the next few years, which integrates a marine strategy. The maritime program will be divided into two components: 1. Fishing sub-program; and 2. Integrated Maritime-Coastal Management Sub-Program.

Description

The volunteer will support the development of the new strategy by reviewing, implementing, and systematizing the information about progress and impact made by the projects and programs that contribute to the conservation agenda of WWF Peru.
Specifically, the Marine Environmental Specialist will:
– Develop and manage relationships with partners, and provide technical support and capacity development to WWF and allies
– Guarantee the flow of communication internally and externally regarding the program
– Review and support the completion of the program strategy, as well as supporting the development of its monitoring system.
– Developing communications and educational materials, as well as supporting the review of logical frameworks and components of the different proposals.
– Develop and implement an action plan to support the MSC certification of anchovies in Peru
– Support the incidental fishing program in terms of the transfer of technologies and rigs to avoid damaging the marine turtles

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
Essential qualifications for this volunteer placement:
 University degree with specialization related to maritime conservation, laws, policies, involvement of interest groups in maritime issues, sustainable management of fisheries, collaborative and/or adaptive management or related field
 Minimum 3 to 5 years of relevant work experience in similar projects
 Proficiency in Microsoft Office
 Excellent communication skills Intermediate Spanish – Level 2

TRAINING AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Our training and support package covers the costs of being an overseas volunteer, allowing you to enjoy a modest but healthy lifestyle while you volunteer abroad. This includes:
 Attendance at a CUSO-VSO assessment day (candidates are expected to cover the first $150 of the most cost-effective travel expenses and accommodation costs).
 Travel and accommodation costs associated with five day pre-departure training course held in Ottawa.
 Return airfare and visa/permit (this includes a return flight in the case of a family emergency).
 Coverage for required vaccinations, medications and health insurance.
 Accommodation while overseas.
 A modest living allowance, which varies depending on the country where you are placed.
 Quarterly payments to support you in your placement

How To Apply

Please apply online at http://www.cuso-vso.org/volunteer/apply-online/, quoting referral code PER0009-0002-0001and the name of the placement.