Seascape Conservation Officer

Company: Action For Ocean (AFO)

Location: Mtwara, Tanzania

Reports to: Program Conservation Manager

Type of Position: Fixed (12 Months Contract)

Grade and Salary: Grade D and Salary AFO 6

Start Date: Immediately

Background

Action For Ocean (AFO) is a Tanzanian non-governmental organization dedicated to restoring healthy marine ecosystems while strengthening the resilience and wellbeing of coastal communities. Through integrated seascape management, AFO works with communities, government institutions, private sector partners, and development organizations to advance marine conservation, fisheries co-management, blue carbon, sustainable livelihoods, and coastal resilience.

We are seeking a motivated, innovative, and highly organized Seascape Conservation Officer to support the coordination and implementation of AFO's growing conservation portfolio in the Mtwara Seascape.

Job Summary

The Seascape Conservation Officer will coordinate day-to-day implementation of AFO's programmes across the Mtwara Seascape, ensuring effective planning, coordination, monitoring, and reporting of activities. The successful candidate will work across marine and coastal conservation, fisheries co-management, blue carbon, blue finance, community engagement, sustainable livelihoods, and monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL).

The position requires a proactive individual who is innovative and enjoys working with communities, coordinating multiple stakeholders, solving operational challenges, and supporting conservation programmes in remote coastal environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate implementation of conservation programmes across the Mtwara Seascape.
• Support marine and coastal ecosystem conservation, restoration, and blue carbon and Blue finance initiatives.
• Coordinate fisheries co-management activities with BMUs, VLCs, CFMAs, government authorities and implementation partners.
• Support community engagement, sustainable livelihood programmes, and conservation awareness.
• Coordinate field logistics, AFO team, stakeholder engagement, remote field operations, and programme implementation.
• Support monitoring, reporting, learning, and donor documentation.
• Contribute to blue finance initiatives, partnership development, and proposal preparation.
• Represent AFO in local coordination meetings and stakeholder forums.

Additional Responsibilities

Project Management and Evaluation

• Actively manage program budget, internal coordination processes, team meetings, etc.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee the work of field teams and provide guidance and support to staff during implementation.
• Monitor and document progress toward programmatic goals.
• Manage the program budget and ensure that all expenditures are within limits.
• Review and write narrative reports on the program's activities and progress.
• Support procurement processes and review of deliverables from consultancies.
• Represent the organization to external stakeholders, including government agencies, donors, and other NGOs.
• Maintain close communication with the donor and represent AFO at official events when required.

Qualifications and Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree in Marine Science, Fisheries, Coastal Resource Management, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Community Development, Conservation Biology, Geography, Project Management, or a related field.
• At least three (3) years of relevant experience in programme coordination, marine conservation, fisheries management, coastal resource management, community development, coastal livelihoods, or related field implementation.
• Innovative, adaptable, and business-minded professional with a proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement.
• Understanding of marine and coastal ecosystems, and coastal environment and communities.
• Demonstrated eagerness to learn, embrace new ideas, and adapt to evolving conservation, community development, and organizational priorities.
• Experience of blue finance, carbon markets, climate finance, conservation finance, or results-based environmental financing.
• Ability to communicate technical finance concepts clearly to communities, government stakeholders, and non-technical audiences.
• Experience supporting FPIC, social safeguards, tenure assessments, benefit-sharing discussions, or climate-finance projects is an advantage.
• Ability to coordinate technical specialists, community institutions, government authorities, and potential financing partners without presenting uncertain carbon revenue as guaranteed income.
• Strong understanding of fisheries management, community-based fisheries co-management, ecosystem-based management, fisheries governance, compliance systems, and sustainable utilization of coastal and marine resources.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple activities, locations, teams, stakeholders, implementation partners, schedules, and logistical requirements.
• Experience with community livelihoods, enterprise development, savings groups, or conservation-linked economic activities is an advantage.
• Familiarity with monitoring and data-management tools such as Kobo Toolbox, GPS, GIS softwares, Microsoft Office, or MIS platforms.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in Kiswahili and English.
• Ability to prepare clear workplans, field reports, meeting records, activity budgets, and implementation trackers.
• Ability to work independently and maintain accountability while operating with limited supervision.
• Willingness and physical readiness to travel frequently by road and boat and to stay in remote coastal communities.
• Knowledge of field safety, safeguarding, and operational risk management is desirable.
• Driving skills and a valid driving licence are mandatory.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit:

• A cover letter explaining their suitability for the position.
• An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) with contact details of three professional referees.
• Copies of relevant academic and professional certificates.

Applications should be sent here. Note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Application Deadline

20th August 2026.