Senior Associate, Program Implementation

Rare Overview

Rare is a global leader in reducing coastal overfishing and revitalizing coastal fisheries. Rare is working across eight countries to strengthen how communities protect and manage coastal areas and habitats. In the Philippines, Rare has worked with 796 communities to establish 1.2+ million hectares of Managed Access Areas, of which ~10,000 hectares are no-take reserves, benefiting over 1.2 million community members.

Project Overview

The FairCatch Sarangani Bay Project: Enabling Transparent, Traceable, and Sustainable Fisheries through Technology and Local Stewardship is a 21-month initiative supported by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) under the BlueFairFish Program. The project aims to strengthen local fisheries governance and combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in the municipalities of Kiamba and Maitum within the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape. The project introduces innovative tools and approaches that improve fisheries transparency, surveillance coordination, and sustainable post-harvest practices while strengthening collaboration among local governments, the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), DENR, DA-BFAR, and coastal communities. 

The project aims to introduce 3 digital tools for monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) and reach agreements between village communities and municipal governments for sustainable, gender-responsive fishing between local representatives of the small-scale fisheries sector. 

Position Overview

Rare is looking for a talented professional to fill the role of Senior Associate, Program Implementation, who will perform a key lead role in ensuring that the technical, operational, and administrative requirements of the project are professionally and expertly met. The position holder acts as a thinking and implementing partner to the Director, Program Implementation. S/he will closely and collaboratively work with local government units, coastal communities, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure aligned and on-track delivery of short- and long-term results.

The Senior Associate will lead and manage the implementation of project activities within an assigned operational area, ensuring the timely and high-quality delivery of outputs in alignment with approved work and financial plans. The Senior Associate is expected to demonstrate initiative, leadership, and accountability for effective project execution and field team performance.

Essential Functions

Project Implementation Lead

• With the guidance of the Program Implementation Director, take the lead in the ground implementation of key project management activities such as the project kick-off/inception workshop, establishment of presence in target areas, formation and management of relevant committees, implementation of Environmental and Social Safeguards, and financial management and reporting.
• Lead implementation of MCS tools (possibly but not limited to fish catch documentation and patrolling platform), including stakeholder engagement, capacity building, deployment support, and monitoring of technology adoption among fishers, fish buyers, and local government partners.
• Facilitate project activities to develop and finalize IUU reduction plans agreed upon between the communities and local government.
• Support the development and implementation of inter-agency coordination mechanisms among LGUs, PAMB, DENR, DA-BFAR, Philippine Coast Guard, Bantay Dagat groups, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Coordinate project-supported assessments, consultations, and stakeholder engagements that contribute to fisheries governance improvements and sustainable coastal resource management.
• Ensure compliance with GIZ grant requirements, including implementation reporting, documentation, monitoring, safeguards compliance, and coordination with internal support teams.
• Monitor progress of field implementation, consolidate data and documentation, and prepare periodic progress and performance reports for submission to the Program Implementation Director.

Stakeholder Support and Management

• Serve as Rare's primary field focal point for coordination with PAMB, DENR, DA-BFAR, Provincial Fisheries Offices, Philippine Coast Guard, Bantay Dagat groups, and municipal governments in Kiamba and Maitum.
• Facilitate multi-stakeholder consultations and inter-agency planning processes that strengthen coordination against IUU fishing and improve fisheries governance.
• Support the development of Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs), partnership arrangements, and coordination mechanisms that contribute to project objectives.

 Information Management and Reporting

• Gather, consolidate, and build up program and project data and information to facilitate evidence-based project planning and decision-making.
• Support and contribute to the preparation and completion of program and project reports to various stakeholders, adjusting the language according to audience and prescribed standards.
• Maintain accountability for achieving implementation standards, ensuring operational efficiency, and contributing to overall project outcomes and institutional learning.
• Promote collaboration, communication, and effective teamwork within the implementation area and across Rare Philippines teams.

 Education and Experience

• Degree in Fisheries, Sociology, Community Development, Development Communications, Social Sciences, or other related fields.
• Proven experience in managing or supporting program implementation in development or conservation projects.
• Demonstrated skills in project coordination, stakeholder engagement, and team supervision.
• Experience in facilitating diverse processes such as meetings, workshops, and consultations.
• Strong ability to work with coastal communities and multi-stakeholder, multi-cultural environments.
• Background or experience in post-harvest fisheries, an advantage.
• Ability to drive and possession of a valid driver’s license, an advantage.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Filipino; ability to speak Cebuano is an advantage.
• Willingness to work flexible hours to accommodate partner schedules, travel, and field conditions.

Other Duties Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.  

Rare is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic. All employment-related decisions are based solely upon legitimate, job-related factors such as skill, ability, past performance, attendance, and length of service.