Protected Areas Project Manager

PROTECTED AREAS PROJECT MANAGER

DURATION: 6 MONTHS (extension subject to progress)

COMMENCING: DECEMBER 1ST 2015

1.0 JOB DESCRIPTION

1.1 CONTEXT

Belize is one of the most important remaining biodiversity hotspots in the Central American region.  With more than 60% forest cover and the second largest barrier reef in the world and playing host to some of the rarest and most threatened species globally its effective conservation is critically important.  Ya’axché Conservation Trust (www.yaaxche.org) directly manages three terrestrial protected areas under different management categories which lie in the Maya Golden Landscape a 3,116 km² matrix of community, national and private land within which an Integrated Landscape Management approach has been adopted since 1997.   As one of the largest NGO’s in Belize Ya’axché is well known nationally and internationally for its holistic, innovative approach to finding solutions for harmony between nature and human development.   Our Protected Areas Management Program is one of three programs in the organization and comprises a research branch and nine man ranger team.

1.2 OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES

The Protected Areas Project Manager (PAPM) will be responsible for three main tasks;

• Managing all projects under the Protected Areas Management Program (Compliance Branch) – Ya’axché’s compliance management program goes beyond enforcement and addresses the root causes of unlawful behavior.  This approach looks at current levels of user knowledge of laws, strategic planning, practical legislation, capacity development, international cooperation and the use of technology.  This innovative and ground breaking approach has attracted necessary support from a variety of national and international donor organizations.  The PAPM will be responsible for overseeing the implementation and reporting of these projects across the Maya Golden Landscape.
• Supporting ongoing projects under the Community Forest Management initiative – Ya’axché has been developing Belize’s first community agroforestry concession in the Maya Mountain North Forest Reserve.  This initiative requires inter-programmatic support across disciplines including sustainable agriculture, agronomy, community management, ecology, forestry and protected area management.    As such the Protected Areas Management Program is needed to provide advice and support to the community cooperative and Ya’axché’s leadership team to ensure successful implementation of the initiative and its supporting projects.
• Developing the Protected Areas Management Program compliance analysis and reporting – Working closely with the Protected area manager, Science Branch technician and ranger team leaders the PAPM will develop the capacity of Ya’axché to deliver high quality reports and conduct rigorous analysis of compliance effectiveness which, in combination with the development of biodiversity analysis, will build a picture of management effectiveness. 

1.3 SPECIFIC DUTIES

• Familiarise with Ya’axché programmatic areas including the Community Outreach and Livelihoods Program and the Advocacy Program.  Build relationships with the project stakeholders and Ya’axché’s relevant project implementing staff. 
• Familiarise with project budget and build relationship with Ya’axché’s finance and administration team.  Maintaining professional financial management of donor funds is critical for the reputation of Ya’axché.
• Make frequent field visits to oversee and report on project activities and to identify any changes to the field implementation that may be necessary to achieve project objectives.
• Attend project managers coalition meetings with other project managers within the organization to ensure communication and effective inter-program synergy
• Familiarise with ranger team on patrols in Maya Golden Landscape to understand compliance approach on the ground and also the patrol data collection and management process, particularly the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART). 
• Work closely with the Protected Area Manager to develop patrol reporting and compliance reporting in the context of project management and goal setting.
• Participate, facilitate or lead meeting s concerning managed projects and support for other project managers
• Provide input into the development of proposals for further funding for the Compliance Branch along with Ya’axché’s development team.