Coral Conservation Manager

Position: Coral Conservation Manager

Sector: Senior Manager of Marine Conservation and Fisheries

Job Location: NEOM

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 program 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, with a mandate to conserve, restore, and mitigate impacts to coral in the NEOM Nature Reserve.
• Evaluate, track, and employ emerging innovations and state-of-the-art technologies to strengthen the leadership of NEOM Nature Reserve 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 based on internationally recognized best practices.
• Implement a series of targeted activities and projects to effectively conserve, restore, and mitigate negative impacts to marine coral in NEOM Nature Reserve.
• Incorporate the human dimension in the NEOM Marine Program through mainstreaming 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.
• Align marine coral conservation and restoration 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 seagrass and mangroves 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 and marine use.
• Identify and propose appropriate mitigation measures to protect the Nature Reserve marine habitats.
• Support assessment of risks arising from development programs outside the reserve boundary.
• 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, provide necessary support, evaluate/appraise staff.
• 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.
• Support the Marine Director and Senior Managers in establishing relations with relevant government and international entities.
• Create opportunities for education and stewardship among NEOM staff, residents, and the wider public.
• Attend and represent NEOM Nature Reserve in related forums, meetings, and workshops.
• Work within a highly efficient and professional team.
• Ensure a program of performance monitoring and constant improvement.
• Identify and utilize data sources, databases, software, data analysis and management.