Coral Conservation Manager

Job ID: 13571

Sector:

Nature Reserve

Location: NEOM, Saudi Arabia

Position: Coral Conservation Manager

Sector: Senior Manager of Marine Conservation and Fisheries

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.

The second purpose for this role is to design and implement seagrass and mangrove management and restoration programs for NEOM Nature Reserve.

Finally, this role will support the 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.
• Evaluate, track, and employ emerging innovations and state-of-the-art technologies to strengthen NEOM Nature Reserve's leadership 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.
• Develop, review, and periodically update coral action plans for NEOM Nature Reserve’s biodiversity assets.
• Implement a series of targeted activities and projects to effectively conserve, restore, and mitigate negative impacts to marine coral.
• Incorporate the human dimension in the NEOM Marine Program through awareness, education, stakeholder engagement, and visitor experience provisions.
• Provide input into multidisciplinary and participatory marine spatial planning.
• Conduct risk assessments to evaluate the success potential of restoration projects.
• Lead in designing field surveys and monitoring programs to evaluate project effectiveness.
• Align marine coral conservation efforts with sectoral and cross-sectoral policies.
• Synergize NEOM’s Coral Conservation Program with related regional and international agendas.
• 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 restoration.
• Build partnerships and design seagrass and mangrove restoration projects.
• Support NEOM in Blue Carbon accounting as it relates to seagrass and mangroves.
• Support identification of environmental risks associated with NEOM development.
• Identify and propose appropriate mitigation measures to protect marine habitats.
• Support assessment of risks arising from development programs outside the reserve.
• Support the Marine Reserve Manager in stakeholder engagement.
• Assist in reviewing and commenting on relevant draft regulatory instruments.
• Identify opportunities for innovation during planning and implementation.
• Help instill a culture of development, guidance, and performance within the Nature Reserve.
• Take responsibility for building and maintaining a high-performance marine team.
• Set performance objectives 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.
• Cooperate with the Marine Director and Senior Managers to encourage joint programs.
• Support establishing and maintaining relations with relevant government and international entities.
• Create opportunities for education and stewardship among NEOM staff and the public.
• Attend and represent NEOM Nature Reserve in related forums and workshops.
• Work within a highly efficient and professional team that supports NEOM’s ambition.
• Ensure a program of performance monitoring and constant improvement.
• Identify and utilize data sources to support evidence-based decision-making.
• Coordinate, supervise and review projects and reports delivered by appointed vendors.
• Be accountable for the effective and responsible use of the budget for marine projects.
• Develop strategic initiatives to improve the effectiveness of the NEOM Marine Coral Conservation Program.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Minimum ten years of experience in marine resource management.
• Technical expertise in the ecology and management of marine habitats.
• Knowledge and experience in marine conservation within the Red Sea.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and sustain productive partnerships.
• Creative and innovative thinking with the ability to initiate pilot projects.
• Experience addressing environmental impacts of coastal developments is an advantage.
• The ability to make sound judgments and decisions based on thorough research.

Qualifications:

• A relevant undergraduate (BSc) university degree in marine biology, environmental science, or a related area is required. Advanced degree preferred.
• Ability to dive and drive in KSA.

NEOM is committed to attracting and retaining the highest caliber of employees to support its vision. NEOM sources the best candidates based on fit for the role and searches local and global markets to identify talent.

NEOM is an equal opportunities employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, disability, age, or any other form of discrimination.

As part of our recruitment process, NEOM will undertake reference checks to confirm suitability for the role. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory completion of references and background checks.

This job description is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities. The employee may be required to perform additional job-related tasks as assigned.

NEOM uses artificial intelligence as part of its recruitment process to assist and enhance efficiency. However, all final hiring decisions are made by human recruiters.

The actions of our team should always support the NEOM Values

Learn more about NEOM’s Values