National Coordinator - Panama

MarAlliance is a leading international non-profit, operating across seven countries, with official registrations in the US, Belize, Panama, and Cabo Verde, and active engagement in Honduras since 2015. We are dedicated to pioneering conservation efforts for endangered marine species, particularly sharks, rays, large finfish and turtles, alongside their critical coastal habitats. Our approach is collaborative, involving community-based research, educational initiatives, and conservation strategies, working hand-in-hand with fishermen, tourism professionals, students, protected area personnel, policymakers, and other vital marine stakeholders. By collecting crucial data on marine populations, artisanal fisheries, the impact of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), and the behavior and ecology of marine wildlife in a rapidly changing world, we inform and empower evidence-based conservation and management decisions. As the populations of many large marine species continue to decline, MarAlliance stands as a formidable, science-driven advocate, guiding our partners in developing and implementing effective conservation strategies to reverse these trends and ensure a sustainable future for marine life.

Position Summary

The National Coordinator (NC) for MarAlliance in Panama will play a pivotal role in leading our initiatives to research, educate, and conserve marine wildlife in Panama. This experienced professional, who must be a Panamanian national or resident, will oversee the comprehensive management of projects in the Panama program that requires management of a diverse team, strategic planning, fundraising, support to fieldwork and communications, capacity building, diplomacy and advocacy that create and nurture partnerships and policy support efforts. Responsibilities also encompass the creation and execution of annual work plans and budgets, report generation, human resources, compliance, and additional administrative duties.

Key Values and Competencies

  • Demonstrated strategic thinking, attention to detail, and organizational skills, with the capacity to meet tight deadlines and manage team dynamics effectively.
  • Proven fundraising capabilities with different funding sectors.
  • Demonstrated commitment of engagement with coastal communities, fishers, policymakers, and other stakeholders in science and conservation to fulfill organizational objectives.
  • Exceptional leadership, people and program management and diplomacy.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication with strong presentation skills.

Responsibilities

  • Drive the development and implementation of MarAlliance’s strategic vision within Panama, aligning with both national and international conservation priorities.
  • Effectively manage and inspire the country’s growing and diverse team with clear goal-setting, follow-through, professionalism and mentoring.
  • Manage project delivery to meet the goals and objectives of the Panama program efficiently.
  • Oversee budgeting, legal, administrative, and fiscal compliance for all activities in Panama.
  • Coordinate fieldwork and data collection with Research Officers and Community Coordinators, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and utility of expected outputs.
  • Plan and support execution of educational and outreach initiatives with the Outreach Officer that tie in to MarAlliance’s communication and education strategies.
  • Lead the creation of grant proposals, donor reports, and programmatic updates pertinent to the Panama program working with the Development and Communications teams.
  • Supervise and share with the Communications Team both media and educational content production, reflecting the program’s activities in alignment with the communication strategy.
  • Provide leadership to MarAlliance staff, contractors, and volunteers in Panama, ensuring contractual and financial accountability, legal and labour compliance.
  • Maintain active and regular engagement of partners locally and in remote areas.
  • Oversee organizational equipment and assets security.
  • Foster and expand professional relationships with local and international partners.
  • Represent MarAlliance in professional settings and maintain effective communication with the Panama and international teams.

Qualifications and Skills

  • A Master’s Degree in natural resources management, non-profit management, or related field.
  • At least five years’ experience in project/program management and team supervision, ideally within an NGO context.
  • Proven track record in fundraising and project proposal development.
  • Bilingual English and Spanish with excellent writing, communication, and presentation skills.
  • Strong organizational, project, and financial management competencies.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to engage in diplomacy and capacity building.
  • Strongly self-motivated with the ability to work independently.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with Zoom, Canva, and Quickbooks.
  • Valid driver’s license is mandatory.

Assets

  • Knowledge of marine conservation, fisheries, and the socio-political landscape in Panama.
  • Creativity, diplomacy, patience, flexibility, and a good sense of humor.
  • A deep commitment to MarAlliance’s mission and goals, a love of the sea and marine wildlife.

Duration and Benefits

This full-time position begins on December 1st, 2024, with the possibility of annual renewal. Compensation is competitive, reflecting qualifications and experience. Benefits include remote work in Panama City, health insurance, professional travel, capacity-building opportunities, and paid vacation.

Location and Oversight

Based in Panama City, the role requires up to 40% travel, including travel in small boats and stays in remote areas in rustic conditions. The NC reports to the Executive Director and collaborates closely with MarAlliance team members.

Application Process

Interested candidates should send their CV, a letter of interest, and three references in one PDF to info@maralliance.org with “LAST NAME_NC Panama” in the subject line by November 1st, 2024.

Asistente de comunicación (Internship)

MarAlliance es una organización internacional sin ánimo de lucro registrada en EE.UU., Belice, Panamá y Cabo Verde, cuyo objetivo es explorar, facilitar e inspirar cambios positivos para la fauna marina amenazada, especialmente tiburones y rayas, sus hábitats críticos y las comunidades humanas dependientes. Nuestra misión es amplia y ambiciosa, y trabajamos en tres idiomas y en siete países de tres regiones. Ante el declive de muchas poblaciones de megafauna marina, estas especies necesitan una voz fuerte, eficaz y con base científica que las represente para ayudar a los socios dependientes a dar forma a las estrategias y acciones de gestión y conservación para invertir el declive.

Resumen del puesto:

Buscamos a un becario (6 meses) proactivo, con conocimientos digitales y excelente capacidad de redacción y edición de textos, que apoye la creación de contenidos escritos de alta calidad y recursos multicanal para difundir el trabajo que MarAlliance realiza a través de sus plataformas en línea (sitio web, redes sociales, boletín, entre otras) y fuera de línea, y que interactúe con nuestro público externo para contribuir a nuestros objetivos generales de comunicación y marketing. El Asistente de Comunicación dependerá directamente del Coordinador de Comunicación y Marketing, y trabajará en estrecha colaboración con el resto del equipo para apoyarles en los elementos de comunicación de su trabajo.

Las funciones y responsabilidades incluirán, entre otras, las siguientes:

  1. Proporcionar apoyo creativo, editorial y operativo a los proyectos. 
  2. Apoyo en la organización, etiquetado y etiquetado del archivo fotográfico y gestión del archivo de vídeo.
  3. Gestión de la comunidad: Gestionar activamente los canales de medios sociales, así como identificar nuevas tendencias y oportunidades de colaboración. Generar reels y visuales.
  4. Apoyo en la redacción de artículos de blog (SEO) y contenido de boletines. 
  5. Ayudar a construir y desarrollar materiales, herramientas y acciones para campañas (online y offline).
  6. Ayudar en diferentes tareas relacionadas con la comunicación trabajando mano a mano con contratistas externos (desarrollador web, diseñador gráfico…) para mejorar el compromiso de las audiencias externas.
  7. Apoyo en la elaboración de informes de campañas y comunicaciones (Google Analytics, métricas de redes sociales, informes de marketing por correo electrónico).
  8. Como parte del Equipo de Comunicación de MarAlliance, apoyar al Coordinador de Comunicación y Marketing en cualquier otro proyecto de comunicación, coherente con las habilidades y experiencia del titular del puesto, en circunstancias no rutinarias.

Experiencia, conocimientos y aptitudes requeridos:

  1. Licenciatura en comunicación, periodismo, marketing o cualquier disciplina relacionada.
  2. Experiencia en comunicación digital o marketing.
  3. Pasión e interés por la naturaleza, la vida marina y la conservación.
  4. Capacidad demostrada para redactar y presentar comunicaciones creativas.
  5. Presencia y conocimientos de medios sociales y digitales.
  6. Capacidad para realizar múltiples tareas y detectar buenas historias.
  7. Capacidad para trabajar a distancia y cumplir los plazos establecidos.
  8. Conocimientos de diseño gráfico deseables, pero no necesarios.
  9. Conocimientos de edición de vídeo deseables pero no necesarios. 

Salario y prestaciones:

Estipendio durante 6 meses.

Idiomas:

Español, con fluidez en inglés

Localización:

Nacionales o residentes de Panamá, Belice, México, Honduras, Guatemala.

Este contrato será a distancia dentro de las zonas horarias de América, flexible, a tiempo completo y desde casa con hasta un 10% de viajes ocasionales locales e internacionales.

Cómo presentar la candidatura:

Por favor, envíe su currículum, portfolio si lo tiene, y carta de presentación a info@maralliance.org con “MAR-CA_Apellido” en el asunto antes del 21 de marzo, 2024. No se admiten llamadas.

Communications Assistant (Internship)

MarAlliance is an international non-profit registered in the US, Belize, Panama and Cabo Verde that aims to explore, enable and inspire positive changes for threatened marine wildlife – notably sharks and rays – their critical habitats and dependent human communities. Our remit is broad and ambitious, and we work in three languages and across seven countries encompassed by three regions. In the face of declines in many populations of marine megafauna, these species need a strong, effective, and science-based voice to represent them to help dependent partners shape management and conservation strategies and action to reverse declines.

Position summary:

We are seeking for a proactive, digitally savvy Paid Intern (6 month) Communications Assistant with excellent writing and copy editing skills, who will support the creation of high-quality written content and multichannel assets to broadcast the work MarAlliance does through its online (website, social media, newsletter, among others) and offline platforms, and engage with our external audiences to contribute to our overall communications and marketing goals. The Communications Assistant will directly report consistently to the Communications and Marketing Coordinator, and work closely with the rest of the team to support them on the communications elements of their work.

Duties and responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

  1. Provide creative, editorial, and operational project support. 
  2. Support organizing, labeling and tagging the photo archive and video archive management.
  3. Community Management: Actively manage social media channels, as well as identify new trends and collaboration opportunities. Generate reels and visuals.
  4. Support with writing blog articles (SEO) and newsletter content. 
  5. Help build and develop materials, toolkits, and actions for (online and offline) campaigns.
  6. Assist in different communications-related tasks working hand in hand with external contractors (web developer, graphic designer…) to improve the engagement of external audiences.
  7. Support in campaign and communications reporting (Google Analytics, social media metrics, email marketing reports)
  8. As part of the MarAlliance Communications Team, support the Communications and Marketing Coordinator with any other communications projects, consistent with the skills and expertise of the post holder, in non-routine circumstances.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills Required:

  1. Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing or any related discipline.
  2. Experience working in digital communications and or marketing.
  3. Passion and interest for nature, marine life and conservation.
  4. Proven ability to write and deliver creative communications.
  5. Social Media and digital presence and knowledge.
  6. Ability to multitask and spot good stories.
  7. Capable of working remotely and meeting established deadlines.
  8. Graphic design skills are desirable but not required.
  9. Video editing skills are desirable but not required.

Salary and benefits:

Stipend for 6 month.

Language:

English, Spanish are mandatory.

Location:

Panama, Belize, Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala nationals or residents. 

This contract will be remote within the Americas time zones, flexible, full-time and home-based with up to 10% occasional local and international travel.

How to apply:

Please send your resume, portfolio if you have one, and cover letter to info@maralliance.org with “MAR-CA_Last name” in the subject line by 21st of March, 2024. No calls please.