Project Name: Nature-based solutions (NbS) - Futures Innovation Collab  
Reports to: Project Manager 
Based in: To be based in the project site (Dumaran or Araceli, Palawan) 
Duration: The project period is 6 months 

The Philippines is in the Coral Triangle, home of the most diverse coral reefs in the world. Considering that the entire country sits within the Triangle, the province of Palawan is considered an ecological hotspot. The island’s coral reefs and mangrove forests comprise 42% and 36% respectively of the  Philippine total. Its fisheries generate twice the yield of land-based agriculture at Php1.2B (USD27  million) a year. Among 81 provinces in the Philippines, Palawan is the highest producer of national fishery overall at 551,641 MT or 12% of the total fishery with a production value twice that of the next province in rank. It has high rankings in various categories and sectors. For example, in 2019, it is on the top 10 richest provinces in the country per CEO bWorld, it has the biggest fishing area and the biggest Marine Protected Area, #1 in annual average fishery production, #1 in annual average  aquaculture production, #1 in seaweed production, biggest offshore natural gas reserve, among  others. However, per the National Competitiveness Council of the Philippines (NCCP), Palawan ranked  72nd out of 76 provinces in 2019 in terms of over-all competitiveness comprising of economic  dynamism, infrastructure and government efficiency and resiliency. Despite this richness, it is the 12th poorest province, an irony for its almost 800,000 inhabitants.  

WWF has been working in Palawan since 1991, providing technical assistance in establishing several protected areas, most notably the Tubbataha Reefs, a world-renowned dive site, a UNESCO World  Heritage Site (WHS), and touted as the best-managed Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the country.  What began with a USD2,000 research grant for the Live Reef Fish Food Trade (LRFFT) paved the way for a USD3 million program under the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food  Security (CTI-CFF). This program, however, ended in 2013 and WWF-Philippines continue to build on its successes and pursue its work on MPAs and fisheries. 

To further institutionalize the management of coastal and fishery management, another initiative entitled “Marine Protected Areas for Improved Fisheries in Palawan, Philippines implemented between May 2016 to June 2019. The long-term goal of the project is to secure livelihoods and food security in Palawan, Philippines through an effectively managed network of Marine Protected Areas  (MPAs) that supports the Reef Food Fish (RFF) industry. Also, the Conservation of Marine Protected  Area Network was implemented between June 2023 to August 2023, covering the Northeastern Cluster 5  MPAs. It holds that the Northeast Palawan MPA Network habitats are protected while supporting people's livelihoods and food security. The project also aims at contributing to two ACAIs of the  Oceans Practice on: 1) Resilient Coastal Habitats- by setting up an enforcement mechanism in the MPA  Network within one million hectares of co-managed marine area; 2) Working with Coastal Communities to Secure their Ocean Futures by effective local MPA management of spawning sites. 

WWF-Philippines will be implementing the Nature-based solutions (NbS) for Sustainable management and use of natural processes for undertaking socio-environmental challenges in the municipality of Araceli and Dumaran. This NBS project is an ecosystem-based approach that is increasingly promoted for climate change adaptation, mitigation, policy support and measures that take into account the role of ecosystem services in reducing the vulnerability of society to climate change. 

The Site Coordinator shall oversee the implementation of project goals and objectives to the local targets and priorities of partner people organizations, municipalities and the provincial government of Palawan. He/She will be primarily responsible for coordinating and orchestrating development programs and other related activities within project sites that are of concern to the project.

The Site Coordinator will be primarily responsible for the  following: 

General administration of the project:

• Ensure a collaborative working relationship with and among the Project partners and acts as the primary contact point of WWF-Philippines on the project site
• Provide administrative support to the Projects on a day-to-day basis, including the preparation of project reports and other requirements
• Coordinate, assist, and facilitate events by taking the lead in the preparation of documents, materials, and logistics for the meetings, workshops and conferences
• Arrange and schedule meetings and appointments, as instructed by the Project Manager 
• Facilitate meetings with partners & stakeholders and prepare documentation including the  minutes of meetings
• Make travel arrangements including the preparation and liquidation of travel grants and  vouchers
• Coordinate with Admin, IT and Finance units on supplies and equipment  requirements  
• Facilitate the signing of consultants’ contracts and agreements 
• With the support of the Finance and Admin units of WWF-Philippines, assist in monitoring the financial  performance of the project (in terms of funding status, budgets, financial reports, burn rate, etc.) through coordination with the finance and admin departments of the other project partners 
• Submit regular liquidation reports and progress billing with Finance unit, and coordinates  workshops, meetings, and travels of WWF staff and stakeholders for Project-related activities

• Assist in the preparation of periodic work and financial plans and budgets with the Project Manager and Finance and Administrative Assistant, in consultation with Project partners
• Assist the Project Manager in preparing reports in the form of project, financial and technical progress reports, including presentations
• Participate in project development initiatives, in cooperation with the Project Development and  Marketing units

• Assist in carrying out regular monitoring of progress according to the project plan, uses and  implements monitoring and evaluation tools with measurable indicators for this purpose; o Ensures that reports are delivered on time
• Ensure adequate quality of data gathered in the project through regular quality controls 

Internal: Within WWF Philippines, this post reports to the Project Manager and is expected to work with other staff within and outside the project site when necessary.

External: Government officials, government agencies, academic institutions, community leaders and members, stakeholders, other NGOs, media and the private sector. 

1. Educational Qualification: At least a university degree related to environmental management/ social development, BS Fisheries, BS Aquatic Biology, BS Environment, BS Biology, and BS Forestry 
2. Work Experience: Minimum of 1 year of experience working with communities, preferably on coastal resource management projects and marine protected areas
3. Skills and Abilities:
   • Experience in community engagement 
   • Strong communication and interpersonal skills  
   • Good decision-making skills, organized and takes the initiative
   • Interested and willing to learn the technical aspects in relation to project implementation
   • Willing and able to travel  
   • Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems 
   • Ability to speak the local language in place of assignment  
   • Adheres to WWF-Philippines core values of:  
     • “EQ” – the ability to connect (technically, emotionally) with environmental issues 
     • Collaboration: team player
     • Commitment/Passion: consistency of work-life ethic 
     • Problem-solvers (includes creativity and resourcefulness)
     • Adaptability 
4. Fresh graduates are welcome to submit 

1. The Site Coordinator is entitled to a one thousand PhP 1000.00 communication allowance for every month receipted. 
2. The Site Coordinator is entitled to meals, transportation and accommodation when travelling outside the area of assignment. 
3. For local transportation homebase to the area of assignment, the Site Coordinator is entitled to Php 3000.00 monthly expenses receipted. 

This contract will be conducted over a period of 6 months and possibility of extension depending on the performance. As an equal employment opportunity employer, WWF does not discriminate based on an applicant’s race, religion, sex, gender, or disability status. To reduce the use of paper, submissions by mail will not be accepted. Due to the high volume of applications, inquiries via phone cannot be accepted. 

To apply, submit a cover letter, and your resume of no more than three (3) pages, by electronic mail to apply@wwf.org.ph.