We are looking for a project coordinator

Illegal fishing is a problem in the Balearic Islands. We are looking for a part-time freelance coordinator to help us consolidate a collaborative project to promote sustainable fishing by putting an end to illegal practices. The ideal person would be familiar with marine issues in the Balearics and have experience in project coordination and management. If you think you are the person we are looking for, send us your CV and a short letter explaining your motivation for the position before 1 September 2022.

SUMMARY

The Balearic Islands has one of the best conserved marine environments in the Mediterranean: a strong network of marine protected areas (MPAs), a relatively small fishing fleet, pioneering practices, and great potential to become a leader in marine conservation. However, there are still challenges we have to face, such as illegal fishing and the fraudulent sale of fish.

Blue Marine Foundation, Marilles Foundation, Conservation Collective, IbizaPreservation, Menorca Preservation, Mallorca Preservation, and GOB, all work for the sustainability of the Balearic Islands, have joined forces to tackle this problem.

The results of research in 2020 followed by a series of workshops in 2021–22 have given us a better picture of the problem. These are some of the conclusions we have drawn: 

• Illegal fishing and marketing practices are a major problem on all islands.
• A small but significant number of fishers, as well as businesses in the hospitality, restaurant, and catering (Horeca) sector, commit infringements.
• A number of interventions are needed to address this.
• The bad practices of a few jeopardise the reputation of many, especially those fishers who are doing well.
• These illegal practices render marine conservation and sustainable fisheries management efforts ineffective. This is a problem that affects everyone and requires the involvement of the whole of society to solve: from fishers and restaurants, to consumers and law enforcement.

Our approach to dealing with this issue is systemic and holistic. We want to work with all the actors involved, making visible a problem that is known but which we feel does not receive enough attention.

We have started to identify allies within key sectors (professional and recreational fishers, fish traders, NGOs, restaurants, certification and traceability companies) to challenge practices internally and to mobilise consumers to create demand for legally caught fish, including the development of labels and certifications. Our aim is to raise the visibility of this problem and its significant negative impact on our marine environment so that authorities and administrations adopt and implement key measures and invest the appropriate resources needed to solve it.

OBJECTIVES

The project seeks to recruit a part-time freelance coordinator to manage the implementation of the project, mainly to organise an awareness campaign on bad practices, to promote the conservation of the marine environment through sustainable fisheries management, and to identify new initiatives and opportunities to further work on this issue and seek solutions.

TASKS

The project coordinator will work on the following tasks to coordinate the implementation of the project:

• Devise, coordinate, and launch a communication campaign for restaurants and consumers to give visibility to the problem and involve them in the solution.
• Monitor the impact of the campaign and evaluate it in qualitative and quantitative terms.
• Raise funds for the project.
• From our proposed initiatives, identify actions to be developed throughout 2023 in case funding is found for that year.
• Create alliances with professional and recreational fishers, restaurants, and security forces.
• Report monthly on the progress of the activities and submit a final report in December that includes an evaluation of the campaign and an analysis of its impact.
• Coordinate and execute the elaboration, dissemination, and systematisation of the data collected in surveys of the Horeca sector that will give us a better insight into the problem.
• Communicate and disseminate the results of the project through press releases, publications in social networks, etc.

SKILLS 

You must be

• orderly and  a self-starter with the ability to lead.
• fluent in Spanish - Català and English.
• experienced in project management and coordination.

It would be nice if you were

• familiar with Balearic marine issues.
• experienced in writing funding proposals.

SCOPE

Support organisations by coordinating project activities. 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• Commercial contract (self-employed status is essential).
• Estimated project-oriented working time is 20 hours per week.
• Remuneration is between €1,200 and €1,500/month depending on experience.
• Initial duration of the project is 6 months with the possibility of an extension depending on the quality of the work and the evolution of the project.

Applications should be sent by email to info@mallorcapreservationfund.org before 1 September.