The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is seeking to recruit qualified candidates in the positions of Head of Marine Programme and Monitoring and Evaluation Officer to work for the “Coastal East Africa Initiative” (CEA-NI), based in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

WWF is one of the World’s largest International Conservation Non Governmental Organization, working towards the conservation of nature and sustainable development. WWF has recently established a major regional programme - the “Coastal East Africa Initiative” (CEA-NI), based in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, but working on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development issues across the Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique region. The two positions will report to the Leader, Coastal East Africa Initiative.

1. Head of Marine Programme
Takes lead in the achievement of the Marine-related goals as set out in the CEA-NI Conservation Plan; Responsible for the transformation of tuna management in the Western Indian Ocean region and the certification of shrimp fisheries in Mozambique; provides technical support to the field-level marine conservation work in WWF Country offices, ensuring alignment with the CEA-NI Conservation Plan and coordination with the NI’s regional marine policy program; drives national, regional and international policy formulation on marine and fisheries governance, trade in fisheries, and marine climate change, delivering results through lobbying and negotiation.

Requirements: MSc degree or higher in the field of Marine Sciences or relevant environmental disciplines; At least 10 years overall professional experience, of which at least 5 years in Eastern Africa, working in a senior management position on a major conservation programme; Proven experience on engaging with actors at a high level - corporate and government; Strong understanding of sustainable fisheries, fisheries governance, MPAs.

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2. Monitoring & Evaluation Officer
Leads on all aspects of monitoring, evaluation and reporting for the CEA Initiative, including technical aspects thereof (e.g. mapping, database management, etc.). Role includes extensive work with field teams including training, planning, oversight of monitoring and alignment of field work to the goals of the Initiative.

Requirements: MSc in Environmental Sciences; at least 7 years working experience in M&E related environmental issues and/or development context; knowledge of GIS; excellent writing and interpersonal skills.

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Background

Location: Both positions will be based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Terms: Two year fixed term contract (renewable); competitive salary and benefits package which is commensurate with the experience and responsibilities of the posts is offered.

Interested candidates who adhere to WWF’s values which are Knowledgeable, Optimistic, Determined and Engaging should send covering letter, CV with references, copies of relevant certificates to: HResource@wwfesarpo.org

Deadline: 28 April 2011.

Please refer to the full job descriptions on www. panda.org before applying.

N.B. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted

CORDIO Status Report 2011

The CORDIO program has supported coral reef monitoring and research in the Indian Ocean since 1999. Topics have included reef ecology, resource use, socio-economics and support to management, policy development and capacity building. Much of our work has been reported in compiled ‘Status Reports’ in 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005 and 2008, which are available at http://www.cordioea.org/status-reports.

To continue the Status Reports series CORDIO is publishing a compilation of articles in 2011, and invites submissions.  Individual submissions will be accepted, reviewed and published on CORDIO’s web site throughout the year, and a compilation report will be published, both on line and as a book at the end of 2011. Articles are invited from research projects that have been or are currently supported by CORDIO, partnership projects and any others working in the Indian Ocean seeking to publish their results for a broad audience. 
Geography – Eastern Africa including the Island States, South Asia, the Andaman Sea and the Red Sea and Gulfs region.
Focus – technical and research information, emphasizing increased access to information and data.

Topics – primary research (natural or social science), exploration, monitoring, assessments, management, policy and lessons learned.

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Seventh WIOMSA Scientific Symposium: Second Announcement and Call for Abstracts

The Seventh Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) Scientific Symposium will be held in Mombasa, Kenya from 24-29 October 2011.

The Symposium is organized jointly by WIOMSA and the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI). This year’s theme is “Coping with Global Change”. The theme covers the implications of changes in major drivers on the coastal and marine environment ranging from natural, physical and biological drivers.

Abstracts are invited on any topic related to the theme and must be received by WIOMSA no later than 30th April 2011.

SYMPOSIUM OBJECTIVES:
The Symposium will bring together practitioners, academics, researchers as well as students, to share knowledge, experience and
solutions to the challenges experienced in our coastal and marine environment. The specific objectives of the symposium are to:
• Present current knowledge on disciplines related to the theme of the symposium;
• Provide a forum for discussion and exchange of information and experiences on coastal and marine science issues in the
western Indian Ocean region;
• Promote interaction among social and natural scientists in order to strengthen multi- and transdisciplinary research for
sustainable management of the coastal and marine;
• Identify gaps and priority research areas for improved management of the coastal and marine environment of the western Indian Ocean region.

SYMPOSIUM THEME:
The Symposium theme is “Coping with Global Change”. This theme covers the implications of changes in major drivers
on the coastal and marine environment ranging from natural, physical and biological drivers. Major drivers include: demographic
pressure, economic development, socio-political changes and climate change

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UNEP Year Book 2011 Spotlights Urgent Need for Fundamental Green Economy Shift

Massive amounts of phosphorus, a valuable fertilizer needed to feed a growing global population, are being lost to the oceans as result of inefficiencies in farming and a failure to recycle wastewater.

Phosphorus pollution, along with other uncontrolled discharges, such as nitrogen and sewage, are linked with a rise in algal blooms which in turn harm water quality, poison fish stocks and undermine coastal tourism.

In the United States alone, the costs are estimated to be running at over US$2 billion a year, indicating that globally and annually the damage may run into the tens of billion of dollars.

At the same time there is also growing concern over the impact of billions of pieces of plastic, both large and small, on the health of the global marine environment.

New research suggests that the plastic broken down in the oceans into small fragments —alongside pellets discharged by industry—may absorb a range of toxic chemicals linked to cancer and impacts the reproductive processes of humans and wildlife.

Experts say both phosphorus discharges and new concerns over plastics underline the need for better management of the world's wastes and improved patterns of consumption and production.

The two issues are spotlighted as among key issues —deemed persistent, re-emerging or newly emerging— in the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) Year Book 2011 which is being presented today in advance of the annual gathering of the world's environment ministers opening on 21 February.

Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director, said: "Science is central for assisting governments to prioritize action on persistent and emerging challenges—indeed emerging issues will be a key theme over the next 15 months as ministers prepare for the crucial Rio+20 conference in Brazil next year."

"The phosphorus and marine plastics stories bring into sharp focus the urgent need to bridge scientific gaps but also to catalyze a global transition to a resource-efficient Green Economy in order to realize sustainable development and address poverty," he added.

'Starting here¬-at UNEP's Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum—we will begin global and regional consultations on a short-list of key scientific challenges that need to be addressed in order to aid that transition and assist governments at Rio+20," said Mr. Steiner.

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State Of The World's Oceans Report

The first "World Ocean Review", published by Maribus in cooperation with the Future Ocean, the International Ocean Institute and Mare, is now available in English.

The Review reports on the state of the world's oceans and their interplay with ecological, economic and socio-political conditions.

Topics include global climate drivers, chemistry, the coasts, pollution, ecosystems, minerals and energy, global trade, medical knowledge, and the Law of the Sea.

The Review is available at http://worldoceanreview.com/en