Job Advert Summary

(This is a 26-month fixed term contract position based at WWF-SA Offices in Newlands)

WWF is the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organisation, with over 6 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth'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, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

WWF South Africa is a national office that is part of the WWF network. We are a local NGO that has worked for 50 years with the aim of inspiring all South Africans to live in harmony with nature, for the benefit of our country and the wellbeing of all our people. WWFs work is for nature, for you.

Our work is challenging and exciting and we love what we do. To join our team, you need to be brilliant at what you do, passionate, results-orientated and have a positive attitude.

Background

WWF South Africa is a solution-driven organisation that constructively engages with government, companies and individuals to meet our goal of a sustainable future in which people live in harmony with nature. In over 40 years of conservation work in South Africa, WWF has increasingly played a leading role in facilitating the attitudes of people, business and government towards the environment which has resulted in tangible and lasting conservation outcomes.

One of the key areas that WWF-SA has been instrumental in driving change has been in transforming markets. There are several key remits in this area of work, particularly around sustainable seafood
and sustainable wine. The WWF Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (WWF-SASSI) works towards safeguarding our marine resources and oceans and ensuring the sustainable utilisation of marine resources. This body of work require a holistic approach, addressing all aspects along the chain of custody and working along the entire supply chain. WWF bases it’s market’s work ethos on this premise, and extends from the Market Transformation which works directly with industries and the retailers and suppliers which procure from them, through to the chefs, restauranteurs and consumers.

In order to achieve its goal of employing market incentives to move industries towards responsible and sustainable practices, WWF-SA is seeking to appoint a WWF-SASSI Seafood Market’s Transformation Officer. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in WWF’s SASSI as and will be responsible for managing and implementing the WWF-SASSI Retailer/ Supplier Participation Scheme and working toward transforming this sector.

Minimum Requirements

• Post graduate degree in Marine Science / Conservation
• Project Management experience
• Experience in writing scientific papers and technical reports
• Having business knowledge will be advantageous
• Stakeholder engagement
• Good written and verbal skills in English
• Project Management
• Ability to simplify complex environmental messages for corporates
• Ability to do basic financial management and contracting
• Computer literacy
• Initiative and dedication
• Attention to detail
• Objective approach
• People skills
• Passion for the conservation of nature and the involvement of businesses in the implementation of practical solutions to the challenges facing the environment
• Driver’s license

Duties and Responsibilities

Coordinate the WWF-SASSI Retailer/ Supplier Participation Scheme (RSPS); including:
Implement the WWF-SASSI Retailer/ Supplier Participation Scheme:

• Conduct 2 organisational assessments per participants per year
• Development of a workplan per participant, fulfilling WWF-SASSI workplan activities
• Tracking and implementation of the RSPS strategy including:

• Plan and implement the annual seafood symposium in partnership with the Marine Stewardship Council and other partners
• Conduct quarterly round table discussions on relevant topics with partners and take forward these outcomes of the round tables
• Conduct training and refresher training for participants and relevant staff
• Regular communications and collaboration with participants on various relevant issues/topic.

Management of WWF-SASSI RSPS finances including annual organisational financial budget and participant contracts and addendums
Revise and implement the long-term WWF-SASSI RSPS strategy including address the challenges identified around recruitment of new participants, not assessed species, controversial MSC certified fisheries etc.
Together with the WWF-SASSI behaviour change and communications team develop and implement a communications plan for the RSPS.
Work closely with the WWF-SASSI training co-ordinator to ensure consumer-facing participant members are trained and informed (e.g. Ocean basket front of house staff)
Work closely with the Marine Science Officer and the Marine Senior scientist manager to ensure that the WWF-SASSI database includes the species relevant to the South African market and the assessments conducted are scientifically relevant and rigorous.
Work closely with the Systems Cluster lead, the marine technical lead and fisheries team to ensure work is aligned and the WWF-SASSI RSPS participants are informed and contribute meaningfully to helping WWF meet its strategic outcomes.
Contribute to the organisational M&E reporting to assist the WWF SA in achieving its strategic outcomes
Report monthly at the Business Development Unit catch up on partnerships within the RSP scheme
Lead on the implementation of specifically identified projects in the Systems Cluster relevant to seafood market transformation, markets and in doing so help WWF achieve its strategic outcomes.
Support administration, management and implementation of relevant Marine and Markets initiatives when necessary.

To apply please provide a detailed CV and cover letter fully motivating the relevant skills, experience and creativity that you can bring, together with the names, current e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of three relevant references.