MARINE LIVELIHOODS OFFICER
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is an international non-governmental organisation committed to working with communities, government, and other partners to manage wildlife and wild places for biodiversity and human well-being.
WCS PNG seeks a dynamic Marine Livelihoods Officer to design, implement, and support community-based livelihood initiatives that strengthen household resilience while reducing pressure on biodiversity. Reporting to the Program Manager, the position is full-time and based in Kavieng, New Ireland Province.
Main Responsibilities:
- Conduct assessments to understand livelihood needs and opportunities in partner communities, focused on marine and coastal livelihood interventions, including small-scale fisheries and seafood products.
- Lead implementation of nature-positive livelihood interventions through ongoing projects
- Document impacts of livelihood interventions, including but not restricted to yields, sales and profits.
- Support and conduct training on family business management, financial literacy and other appropriate topics.
- Work closely with the other WCS teams to embed livelihood activities within or alongside environmental management and conservation activities with communities.
- Work with partner communities and LMMAs to widen the impact of livelihood interventions.
Ensure livelihood interventions are inclusive and culturally appropriate
- Translate technical and scientific information into simple English and Tok Pisin to enable easier comprehension for those with low literacy skills.
- Provide capacity building to local staff and partners.
- Represent WCS during stakeholder and partner engagement and outreach meetings, workshops and conferences.
Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Marine Resource Management, Environmental Science, Development Studies, Fisheries, or related discipline) is preferred. However, candidates with substantial relevant experience in livelihoods development projects, particularly in marine and coastal settings, will be given equal consideration.
- At least two years’ full-time professional experience in implementing marine and coastal-focused livelihood projects with the private sector and non-governmental organization (NGO) or a government agency or equivalent
- Strong understanding of and experience conducting financial and business management training for communities
- Good interpersonal skills and experience in liaising with a range of stakeholders, including traditional landowners, local and state government, special interest groups and individuals regarding natural resource management issues.
Critical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Experience in community engagement, facilitation, and participatory planning.
- Experience working with communities, and customary institutions.
- Strong facilitation and conflict-sensitive communication skills.
- Understanding of social safeguards, inclusion, and gender-sensitive approaches.
- Ability to work respectfully within diverse cultural contexts.
- Excellent computer literacy and skill of MS Office applications (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and the /internet)
- Good analytical and problem-solving skills
- Good knowledge of written and spoken English and Tok Pisin
- Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence
- Being a self-starter with drives and initiative, and able to work as a team or an individual with a positive attitude and open minded
- Excellent organisational and leadership skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to work with less supervision and under pressure
Application Process:
- Applications should be submitted only by email to [email protected] by 5 pm on 14th October 2026.
- Submit your CV (3 pages maximum) and a cover letter (2 pages maximum) as one combined PDF file with the following naming system: “first name last name GEDSI & MEL Officer.pdf”, with the email subject as “Application for Marine Livelihoods Officer: first name last name”
- Only list full-time, paid positions in your CV, starting with your current or last position and going backwards.
- Do not submit any other documents, including reference letters, transcripts, diplomas, etc. with your application.
- Cover letters and CVs generated with AI may be rejected at the discretion of WCS.
Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis. We encourage you to submit your application at the earliest.
WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organisation complies with all employment labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring, ensuring that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. The organisation provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organisation does not discriminate for employment based on age, colour, disability, gender identify, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by laws and regulations
