Position Overview
ABOUT RARE AND FISH FOREVER
Rare inspires change so people and nature thrive. Our culture is results-oriented and entrepreneurial, committed to working towards ambitious goals and creating measurable results.
It’s never been a better time to join the Rare team! Rare Brazil is a Brazilian non-profit organization established in the country in 2014 that holds an Affiliate Agreement with Rare Inc. The non-profit organization has worked in 8 Brazilian states: Santa Catarina, Bahia, Ceará, Piaui, Maranhão, Pernambuco, Alagoas, and Pará. In these 8 states, Rare’s behavior adoption campaigns have reached +6,000 small-scale fishers and +12,000 community members from +77 communities in 4 years. In 2019, Rare Brazil concentrated its efforts in the state of Para, reframing the strategic activities, and with the organizational objective to promote, (through a network of local, state, and national partners) the strengthening of governance structures for effective management of coastal fisheries through three interrelated pillars: 1) Establishing and strengthening community-based fisheries management; 2) Supporting access to rights for citizenship by supporting the definition/implementation of public policies and governance aimed at prioritizing access and use of fishing resources by artisanal marine-coastal fishermen; and 3) Enabling financial inclusion and a fair market for artisanal fishers. Due to the quality and breadth of actions needed to be addressed to improve the quality of life of communities and fisheries management, Rare Brazil seeks to engage and legitimize important local actors and strengthen their role in management, and to expand support, capacity, and resources from state and municipal governments directed towards this end. Currently, the organization operates in 12 coastal marine municipalities that are part of Marine Extractive Reserves (Resex), indirectly impacting +28,000 people through the program, including +960 women, and +70 young people.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The M&E Program Implementation Senior Associate is the technical reference for Rare Brasil’s monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) agenda, providing conservation science leadership and technical support to Rare’s Fish Forever initiative in Brazil on key biological and socioeconomic monitoring and assessment needs. The role focuses on measuring and continuously improving the impact of Rare’s work to promote community participation in the creation and implementation of Territorial Use Rights in Fisheries (TURFs) and Fisheries Replenishment Zones (network marine reserves), and in the Fish Forever Global Initiative actions in the region. As a senior technical lead, the Senior Associate coordinates and mentors other associates and consultants, ensures that data collection protocols and analyses are scientifically validated, and leads training and mentoring of local leaders to implement MEL activities at the sites where we work.
The M&E Program Implementation Senior Associate works closely with the Senior Implementation Manager in Brazil to translate the project concept to partners and donors, to strengthen methodological consistency across sites, and to reduce confusion and misconceptions during the implementation phase. The Senior Associate also represents Rare Brasil externally in scientific, governmental, and partner forums related to MEL, fisheries, and coastal conservation.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The M&E Program Implementation Senior Associate will exercise independent judgement and provide technical leadership in the following areas of significance:
Technical Coordination, Training and Mentoring (20%)
- Lead the design, adaptation, refinement, and implementation of programs and activities for workshops, formal training, and other knowledge transfer activities on MEL, biological monitoring, and fisheries strategy.
- Support the Senior Implementation Manager in determining strategic goals for Rare’s programmatic activities in Brazil, defining roles and responsibilities, and identifying technical experts and institutional partners.
- Produce and review activity and technical reports as needed.
- Deliver content on biological monitoring, MEL, and fisheries strategy during knowledge transfer and training events, and mentor other associates and Campaign Managers on the application of these tools at the site level.
- Review technical products, campaign assignments, deliverables, and materials produced by the team, providing structured feedback and ensuring quality standards.
- Coordinate and provide technical mentoring (without direct supervisory responsibility) to other associates and consultants on MEL and fisheries strategy methodologies.
- Contribute to onboarding and technical capacity building of new team members and consultants on MEL and fisheries methodologies, supporting the overall strengthening of the technical team.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning — Technical Leadership (40%)
- Lead, together with the Programmatic Team, the establishment of partnerships with universities, research institutions, government agencies, community leaders, and individuals to facilitate the implementation of Rare Brasil’s Monitoring and Evaluation plan.
- Lead the technical content of Cooperation and Partnership Agreements/Contracts (including work plans and budgets) with universities, research centers, and government bodies, and monitor the implementation of their terms, conditions, and workplans.
- Provide senior technical support during field monitoring visits — liaising with partners, advising on data collection and fisheries issues, identifying implementation challenges, and proposing technical solutions.
- Oversee the collection and organization of information to support the development and refinement of fisheries strategies for target species.
- Ensure that data collected and surveys conducted by university and research partners are robust, scientifically sound, and comparable across sites and years.
- Ensure baseline data collection before campaigns launch and endline data collection to measure impact, safeguarding data quality, integrity, and timeliness.
- Lead the design, review, and continuous improvement of the Monitoring and Evaluation Plan in consultation with other associates and the Senior Implementation Manager, in accordance with each site’s initial assessment and with Fish Forever global standards.
- Lead the Programmatic team to ensure the customization of data collection protocols at each site, in accordance with the Monitoring and Evaluation plan designed for each area.
- Organize and participate in site visits and oversee the development of data collection protocols.
- Oversee the development of templates, worksheets, and data collection protocols for:
- Data for decision-making, including household surveys, production data, and ecological data.Network Marine Reserve management indicators.
- Participate actively in discussions related to the Fish Forever global M&E plan and other activities of Rare’s Monitoring Management Team, bringing the Brazil perspective and contributing to global learning.
- Coordinate the collection, organization, and analysis of analytical data to support the evaluation of Fish Forever outcomes and impacts on fisheries and coastal communities.
- Provide senior technical support during field monitoring visits and work with program coordinators and the Senior Implementation Manager on the continuous development and improvement of the Monitoring and Evaluation plan.
- Lead surveys, identify strategic partners and researchers, and prepare Monitoring and Evaluation reports for internal use, donors, and external audiences.
- Coordinate with the Fish Forever Arlington office to ensure that data collection, entry, analysis, and visualization are consistent with global standards and protocols.
- Coordinate data sharing and reporting with partners, donors, and government agencies.Identify and plan opportunities for follow-up and longitudinal monitoring (2 to 5 years), contributing to institutional learning.
Fisheries Strategies and External Representation (35%):
- Participate in discussions about Fish Forever global tools related to fisheries management and strategies, and contribute technical inputs based on the Brazilian context.
- Lead the process to plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate fisheries strategies at campaign sites, in coordination with programmatic staff.
- Review and validate site-specific fisheries strategies, ensuring technical quality and consistency with MEL indicators. Represent Rare Brasil externally in technical forums, scientific events, working groups, and multi-stakeholder platforms related to fisheries, MEL, and coastal conservation, and contribute to donor conversations on MEL design, results, and learning.
Project Management (5%):
- Support budget monitoring and adherence to deadlines for MEL-related activities within the broader project portfolio.
- Produce and review activity and technical reports relevant to MEL, fisheries strategies, and biological monitoring as needed.
- Support programmatic staff in day-to-day activities and technical advice, contributing to the integration of MEL deliverables into the overall project cycle.
- Provide remote mentoring and guidance to Campaign Managers on Fisheries Strategies, MEL, and Biological Monitoring.
*Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
- Internal – This position reports to the Senior Implementation Manager and interacts frequently with other program associates, program coordinators, the operations and PMO teams, the Executive Director, and the Rare/Fish Forever global network, consultants, and collaborators. Acts as a technical coordination point for MEL across projects.
- External – This position works closely with Rare’s global network (including Rare in other countries and the Fish Forever network), Monitoring and Evaluation professionals, universities and research institutions, government representatives at federal, state, and municipal levels, donor representatives, and partner organizations in Brazil and abroad.
SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBLITY
This position does not have direct supervisory authority. However, the Senior Associate is expected to provide technical coordination and mentoring to other associates, consultants, and Campaign Managers on MEL and fisheries strategy matters, and to act as a senior technical reference for the team.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree required, master’s preferred, in environmental science, oceanography, marine biology, fisheries, ecology, or a related field.
- A minimum of 6-8 years of relevant work experience in fisheries, marine science, conservation, or closely related areas, including demonstrated experience leading MEL activities.
- Solid knowledge of databases and statistical analysis software, data maintenance, procedures, protocols, and administration. Demonstrated experience designing and implementing monitoring and evaluation plans, including indicator design, data collection protocols, and analysis.Fluency in written and spoken Portuguese and advanced level of English (written and spoken).
- Proactive, consultative, and results-oriented profile, with a track record of strategically advancing an organization’s mission while improving organizational business models.
- Experience coordinating multi-stakeholder projects involving universities, research institutions, government agencies, and community-based organizations. Demonstrated experience representing organizations in technical, scientific, or institutional forums.
- Analytical, detail orientated and organized.
- Demonstrated interest in learning.
- Willingness to travel internationally and locally based on needs of the position, often in uncomfortable circumstances and work extended hours when necessary.
- Experience in successfully meeting budgets and deadlines.
Desirable:
- Master’s degree in environmental science, oceanography, marine conservation or related field (desirable).
- Previous experience working in the Brazilian Amazon coastal zone or with artisanal fisheries contexts.
- Basic or intermediate level of Spanish.
- Network development and alliance-building skills to consult and collaborate across boundaries, build strategic relationships, and achieve common goals; demonstrated ability to build consensus. Experience with Power BI, R, Python, or other tools for data analysis and visualization. Experience with donor reporting (bilateral, multilateral, or philanthropic foundations). Experience mentoring junior staff or consultants in technical domains.
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
Technical Skills
- Scientific ability, using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
- Observant and questioning mind.
- Active Learning
- Precise and good at analyzing and interpreting data.
- Project management within scope, budget and timelines.
- Contract management.
- Risk management.
- Monitoring and evaluation.
- Cost control.
- Preparation of technical reports.
- Conflict resolution.
Leadership Competencies
- Technical leadership and ability to influence without formal authority. Managing change.
- Solving problems and making decisions.
- Managing politics and influencing others.
- Taking risks and innovating.
- Increasing your capacity to learn and self-awareness.
- Communicating effectively both internally and externally.
- Developing others.
- Valuing diversity and difference.
- Building and maintaining relationships.
- Managing effective teams and work groups.
- Representing the organization with credibility in external forums.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers and filing cabinets.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This is a largely sedentary role; with some light walking around the office may be necessary, such as lifting reams of paper, moving chairs, boxes and other office related equipment or tools. However, during field trips and travels, one needs to be prepared for long inland commute, sometimes minimum comfort, boat trips and long walks.
POSITION TYPE AND EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK
This is a full-time position; typical workdays and hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. However, there may often be times when longer work hours are required. Please note that this position is eligible to participate in Rare’s telecommuting or flexible work schedule program.
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.
