Conservation Officer - UK Overseas Territories

A healthy ocean is vitally important to all of us. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) can help safeguard our ocean, make it more resilient to change and keep it healthy and full of life. The UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs) host a wealth of marine biodiversity, supported by an established suite of marine protected areas (MPAs), but in the Caribbean UKOTs, marine biodiversity within MPAs is often threatened by unsustainable use and pollution, while local marine conservation managers are often under-resourced to deal with these threats. 

We have secured funding to recruit a UK Overseas Territory **Conservation Officer**. Based in the UK, the post will be responsible for the development and delivery of a new programme of work to support MPA management in the Caribbean Territories of Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Montserrat and the Turks and Caicos Islands.  

This work will involve liaising with Caribbean UKOT governments, marine conservation managers, scientists, funding bodies, Westminster civil service and businesses to better channel available resources and information to support and enhance marine protected area management in the Caribbean UKOTs. The post will involve travel to the Caribbean UKOTs to develop local project partnerships, and the post-holder will be responsible for supporting the development of MPA conservation projects with local partners where most needed. They will also ensure project work is monitored and evaluated to maximize conservation benefit and application of project learning across the Territories where relevant.  

No small feat... 

• You’ll need to be an organised and effective project manager, networker, and communicator, able to work as part of a team and independently when needed.  
• You’ll need to be able to demonstrate credible knowledge of MPA management, Caribbean fisheries issues, sustainable development 
• Have a good track record of attracting resource to conservation projects to an understanding of sustainable development.  Personable and diplomatic, you’ll be experienced in communicating narratives that are persuasive to a wide range of audiences.   
• Through communication and engagement activities, you’ll make strong, supportive relationships to support the development of MPA improvement projects.  

With this role we intend to catalyse and support historic improvements to marine protected area management in the Caribbean UKOTs.  

Are you up for the challenge????  

Key Skills

• Strong, applicable knowledge of MPA and fisheries related issues. You will need to be able to hit the ground running, with confidence and knowledge of this environment. 
• Evidence of stakeholder liaison work and policy advocacy within the marine environment. 
• Excellent critical analysis and lateral thinking skills to enable the formulation a cohesive and effective plan of conservation work. 
• Demonstrable track-record in successfully delivering projects on time and within budget. 
• Evidence of building and developing relationships with a wide range of people, ensuring communications are appropriate and compelling 

Role requires flexibility to travel overseas for varying durations, with occasional overnight visits to our HQ in Herefordshire 

For any enquiries email hr@mcsuk.org or telephone 01989 561574.   

Notes

MCS is an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community.   

Eligibility to work in the UK is required. 

Registered Charity No: 1004005 (England and Wales) SC037480 (Scotland)