Program Director - MSC Foundation

JOB NUMBER: JB04169

VACANCY NUMBER: ADV05076

SHARE: https://www.careers.msccruises.com/vacancy/ADV05076/program-director-msc-foundation-ocean-cay

ORGANIZATION: Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve

BUSINESS AREA: Office

LINE MANAGER: Secretary General

Job Description

The Program Director is responsible for planning and implementing the MSCF Bahamas program, specifically the Super Coral Program and its Marine Conservation Center.

Goal: To ensure the MSCF Bahamas program is delivered successfully in the imparted timeframe.

The Program Director will report to the Secretary General of the foundation.

The Program Director (PM) will be responsible for the planning, monitoring and timely delivery of the overall program (all its components) in line with the MSC Foundation strategic vision for its work at Ocean Cay and in The Bahamas.

The PM will supervise the on-the ground team and liaise with MSC Foundation Management in Geneva, as well as with MSC Cruises and other MSC Group parties involved in the successful implementation of the program.

Key Responsibilities

Under theguidance of the Foundation’s management,

1. Planning

• Set goals for theprogram according to the strategic objectives of the MSCF for the Caribbean/The Bahamas and in coordination with MSC Ocean Cay, MSC Cruises.
• Plan the program for its whole duration, set milestones, deadlines, clear responsibilities for each team member, and processes to monitor and evaluate the program implementation.
• Prepare the Marine Conservation Center (MCC) activity plan, including learning, research, and visitors experiences, in coordination with concerned parties.
• Ensure the timely request of research/conservation permits and any other relevant certification/documentation to The Bahamian authorities.

2. Operations

• Develop and manage the program operational budget, ensuring expenses control and optimization.
• Plan and coordinate activities of the parties involved in the Program.
• Ensure the program operations and activities adhere to legal regulations, and OC internal policies and procedures.
• Assign clear tasks to the program's team, supervise, and support them, provide timely feedback, and resolve complex challenges.
• Obtain in a timely manner the needed program permits to efficiently develop the program, particularly, but not limited to the DEPP research permit.
• Ensure all foundation’s assets (research vessel, the MCC, etc.) are properly used and benefit from all administrative and legal requirements to operate.
• Ensure that the MCC is built and run in an environmentally and energy-efficient manner.
• Define and implement actions to make the program self-sustainable in the long term.

3. Monitoring & Evaluation

• Regularly monitor program's progress and identify ways of improving efficiency, and risk factors that can cause delays and reputation issues, and implement solutions to address them.
• Monitor the construction of the Marine Conservation Center (MCC), identify, and address challenges, and ensure timely procurement of equipment and materials.
• Monitor the MCC activities plan ensuring that it is used as a relevant regional hub for coral restoration, research, and awareness raising amongst OCvisitors.
• Develop evaluation strategies to monitor team’s performance and determine the need for improvement.

4. Engagement and Coordination

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with local, national, and international stakeholders and providers able to facilitate the program’s implementation and expansion. This includes but is not limited to, the academic partners (national and international), the local and national authorities in charge of marine conservation/restoration/research, MSCGroup representatives (including communication teams) in Bahamas, USA and Geneva, suppliers, experts, etc.
• Advocacy and influence, including understanding local and national government and policy targets and sector themes for the sake of the program implementation and growth.
• Keep senior management (both at the MSCF and MSC Cruises/Ocean Cay) informed with detailed and accurate written reports and/or presentations on a regular basis (at least monthly).

5. Other Responsibilities

• Create new initiatives, and projects according to the strategic objectives of the MSCF.
• Liaise with the MSCF communication team in a timely manner to create opportunities to inform and share good practices about the program’s milestones and impact.
• Develop the team and build a positive and motivational working environment.

Key Requirements

• Around 10 years of experience in a similar position.
• Very good understanding of The Bahamas governmental and civil society stakeholders in the area of environment, marine conservation and related areas; and particularly familiarized with the DEPP research permit system, and with any other legal and operational Bahamian requirements related to the program.
• Broad knowledge of program management principles and success records of complex programs implementation in areas related to MSC Foundation work.
• Strategic mindset and capacity to lead and materialize program’s activities in an efficient manner.
• Excellent communication skills both written and oral. Other than English will be a plus.
• Ability to work efficiently under pressure in a challenging context, managing different levels of expectations and multi-dimensional program deliverables.
• Understanding how to build and run a research/education/outreach facility, will be a plus.
• Experience working with and expanding a brand in the ecotourism industry

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