Position: Coral Conservation Manager
Sector: Senior Manager of Marine Conservation and Fisheries
Job Location: NEOM
Role Purpose:
The role, reporting to the Marine Conservation Director , focuses on (i) leading the implementation of NEOM Marine Coral Conservation and Restoration program, and (ii) designing and implementing the Marine Habitats Program.
The key purpose for this role is to deliver on NEOM’s promise to safeguard and enhance the extent and quality of coral habitats which is one of the key pillars of NEOM’s value proposition.
This will be achieved through the implementation of world-class monitoring, research and management of corals within the NEOM Nature Reserve. Success will depend on developing close and productive collaboration with KAUST Coral Reef Restoration Initiative, SHAMS, NCW, internal NEOM stakeholders and the global conservation community.
Second purpose for this role is to design and implement seagrass and mangrove management and restoration program for NEOM Nature Reserve.
Finally, this role will support Marine Protected Area Manager in identifying threats and opportunities to marine systems and implementing conservation measures to address them through zoning, compliance and dialogue with NEOM proponents (e.g., Landscapes of the Line, Gulf of Aqaba, Archipelago, Government Affairs).
Key Accountabilities:
- Envision, design, and lead the implementation, review, and improvement of a world-class NEOM Marine Coral Restoration and Conservation program, with a mandate to conserve, restore, and mitigate impacts to coral in the NEOM Nature Reserve, in close collaboration with the Marine Director and Senior Manager of Marine Conservation and Fisheries. Review and integrate current and emerging best approaches, practices, and techniques in day-to-day coral conservation and restoration to ensure that NEOM Nature Reserve’s programs align with and exceed best-in-class international standards.
- Evaluate, track, and employ emerging innovations and state-of-the-art technologies to strengthen the leadership of NEOM Nature Reserve in running a world-class coral conservation and restoration program.
- Prioritize coral sites proposed for protection and restoration in NEOM Nature Reserve based on predefined criteria, including asset status and trends, urgency of needs, ecological functioning, geographical isolation, economic and cultural values, current and forecasted threats, as well as availability, accessibility, and success potential of rewilding techniques.
- Develop, review, and periodically update coral action plans for NEOM Nature Reserve’s biodiversity assets based on internationally recognized best practices and guidelines.
- Implement a series of targeted activities and projects to effectively conserve, restore, and mitigate negative impacts to marine coral in NEOM Nature Reserve.
- Incorporate the human dimension in the NEOM Marine Program through mainstreaming awareness, education, stakeholder engagement, and visitor experience provisions in activities conducted by NEOM Nature Reserve.
- Provide input into multidisciplinary and participatory marine spatial planning to identify suitable sites in NEOM Nature Reserve for conservation and restoration trials and long-term projects.
- Conduct risk assessments to evaluate the success potential of restoration projects in NEOM Nature Reserve, considering the ecology of coral habitats, environmental settings, and existing threats.
- Lead in designing field surveys and monitoring programs to evaluate the effectiveness of projects and measures undertaken.
- Align marine coral conservation and restoration efforts in NEOM Nature Reserve’s waters with sectoral and cross-sectoral policies, programs, projects, and activities within NEOM, in close collaboration with the Marine Director and Senior Manager of Marine Conservation and Fisheries. Collaborate with relevant authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to ensure alignment with environmental, wildlife, cultural, and economic policies and programs, and to strengthen NEOM's contributions towards national marine targets.
- Synergize NEOM’s Coral Conservation Program with related regional and international agendas to strengthen NEOM's contributions towards Saudi Arabia’s obligations under bilateral and multilateral environmental agreements and showcase NEOM’s innovative marine conservation and restoration efforts to the international community.
- Lead on seagrass and mangrove management in NEOM Nature Reserve
- Establish baselines and the scientific background for restoration of seagrasses and mangroves
- Implement pilot projects and finalize site selection and methodologies for seagrass and mangroves restoration
- Build partnerships, design and implement seagrass and mangrove restoration projects in consultations with NEOM stakeholders (e.g., Aquaculture, Landscapes of the Line)
- Support NEOM in Blue Carbon accounting as it relates to seagrass and mangroves
- Support identification of environmental risks associated with NEOM development and marine use.
- Identify and propose appropriate mitigation measures to protect the Nature Reserve marine habitats.
- Support assessment of risks arising from development programs outside the reserve boundary that might threaten the integrity of the marine reserve and its objectives.
- Support the Marine Reserve Manager in stakeholder engagement related to implementing the NEOM Nature Region Marine Spatial Plan and Integrated Management Plan.
- Assist in reviewing and commenting on relevant draft regulatory instruments, technical guidelines, and associated rules prepared by the NEOM Authority.
- Identify opportunities for innovation during planning and implementation to mitigate risks to the Nature Reserve objectives and maximize benefits.
- Help instill a culture of development, guidance, and performance within the Nature Reserve.
- Take responsibility, in collaboration with Marine Director and Senior Managers, for building and maintaining a high-performance marine team.
- Set performance objectives, provide the necessary support, evaluate/appraise staff and provide regular feedback on performance.
- Promote a high-performance working environment embracing NEOM’s values.
- Develop and implement a program of capacity development for team members.
- Foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Build alliances with internal and external stakeholders of environment and resources to maintain a current understanding of their expectations and behaviours to optimally support decision-making, anticipate changes in these requirements and maintain user-feedback processes. Focus on KAUST Coral Reef Initiative, KSA and NEOM stakeholders.
- Cooperate with the Marine Director and Senior Managers to encourage the implementation of joint programs and activities with other departments, consultants, and stakeholders in NEOM.
- Support the Marine Director and Senior Managers in establishing and maintaining relations with relevant government and international entities and the wider communities to foster the development of joint programs and initiatives and lead when appropriate.
- Create opportunities for education and stewardship pertaining to the marine projects among NEOM staff, residents and the wider public.
- Attend and represent NEOM Nature Reserve in related forums, meetings, conferences, seminars, and workshops to enrich the network and learn about the latest developments and opportunities.
- Work within a highly efficient and professional team that supports NEOM’s ambition of a world-class NEOM Marine Program.
- Ensure a program of performance monitoring and constant improvement that includes strong awareness of emerging trends and technology that can improve program efficiency and effectiveness.
- Identify and utilize data sources, databases, software, data analysis and management tools and GIS to support the evidence-based fisheries decision-making process.
- Coordinate, supervise and review projects and reports delivered by appointed vendors.
- Be accountable for the effective and responsible use of the budget allocated for the implementation of assigned marine projects, programs and activities.
- Develop strategic initiatives to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the NEOM Marine Coral Conservation Program, with a constant focus on driving value to NEOM and anticipating and mitigating business, environmental and reputational risks.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
- Minimum ten years of experience in marine resource management
- Technical expertise in the ecology and management of marine habitats . Knowledge of current global issues, trends, constraints, and research needs related to marine habitats conservation and restoration.
- Knowledge and experience in marine conservation within the Red Sea. Established relationships with KSA conservation actors is an advantage.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and sustain productive partnerships
- Creative and innovative thinking and evident ability to initiate pilot projects and trials following a precautionary approach and considering animal welfare.
- Experience addressing environmental impacts of coastal developments (e.g. marinas, jetties, desal plants, aquaculture, offshore wind, etc) an advantage.
- The ability, and the confidence, to make sound judgments and decisions based on thorough research, problem-solving, innovation and evidence-based practice.
Qualifications:
- A relevant undergrad (BSc) university degree in marine biology, general biology, environmental science, or other relevant area is required. Advanced degree preferred.
- Ability to dive and drive in KSA
