EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Friends of Swallow Caye

POST: PROJECT MANAGER

            Part time

Job purpose:

Reports to: The Board of Directors, Friends of Swallow Caye

Duty Station: Caye Caulker

Implements all decisions as instructed by the Board of Directors expeditiously and to the highest professional level.

Designs and establishes office systems and procedures for the organization;

Performs the bulk of administrative and office duties required for the proper functioning of the organization;

Administrates current projects;

Maintains effective communications with Board of Directors, members and all the public’s of the organization;

Maintains all bureaucratic requirements for donor funding accountability;

Creates plans, programs, mechanisms, and systems for educational outreach, conservation outreach, manatee and habitat research, marketing and sales;

Provides technical input to the design of information materials and delivery of programs;

Work effectively with other employees of the organization;

Identify and supervise contractors and work programs;

Draft a new project proposal for a five-year sustainability strategy for the organization;

Draft a one-year budget for the organization;

Be prepared to travel locally and internationally on behalf of the organization;

Be prepared to represent the organization at planning, policy and training workshops;

Must maintain close and effective working relationship with co-management partners;

Seeks operational funds for the organization;

Manages and does bookkeeping of project budget.

This on-going part time position is for a highly qualified, multi-skilled, flexible and disciplined Project Manager. The position involves general and project management responsibility with performance of administrative duties. The successful applicant will be required to devote a minimum of 3 days per week to the work of the organization.

Requirements – duty station Caye Caulker, Technical Assistant must provide own work space and office equipment;

Qualifications – Minimum of Bachelors Degree, experience in technical writing, proposal preparations, project management, financial analysis, communications, research, and entrepreneurship.

Familiarity with integrated coastal zone management and legal framework of marine protected areas would be an asset.

Computer literacy a must;

English and Spanish Language capability will be an asset.

Applications may be submitted to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

APPLICATIONS TOGETHER WITH CURRICULUM VITAE AND 2 LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION WILL BE RECEIVED AT FOSC OFFICE, Ave. Hicaco /Lind’s Cocal IN CAYE CAULKER, OR BY EMAIL

November 10, 2011Hon. Gaspar Vega
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment
Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment
Belmopan

Dear Hon. Vega

Re: Rosewood exploitation in the Toledo District

The Association of Protected Areas Management Organizations is deeply concerned with the unsustainable extraction of Rosewood occurring in the Toledo District. As a non-governmental umbrella organization of conservation NGOs and CBOs working to conserve our natural resources for the long-term wellbeing of local communities and the country of Belize, we believe that the extraction of any natural resource should be carried out in an environmentally sustainable manner. While the rosewood logging is currently occurring outside of protected areas, APAMO is concerned that the protected areas will then be targeted once stocks of rosewood have been depleted on community and private lands.

Belize has undertaken significant and exemplary efforts to stop environmental degradation, effectively manage its natural resources, protect its unique biodiversity and promote environmentally sustainable development. Beyond their inherent value, these natural treasures - which are a source of national pride - also guarantee benefits and services that are essential to the daily lives of the rural majority of the population, providing them with water, food and shelter. The protection and preservation of natural resources will help to guarantee the long term sustainable development of the agriculture, fisheries and tourism sectors upon which Belize is grounded in.

APAMO supports its member organization, the Ya’axché Conservation Trust, in its appeal to the government to address the immediate problem of illegal logging in Toledo through clarification of current legislation with regard to permits, licenses and exports, the enforcement of which must be upheld by the Forest Department. APAMO recommends an urgent re-assessment of rosewood stocks on community lands, and the development of a sustainable management plan for the future use of this precious resource.

Immediate action is required in order ensure the long-term availability of rosewood, and to protect the forests of Toledo from further degradation. APAMO therefore calls upon the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment to take urgent action that will put a stop to the open and organized plundering of this valuable timber species. We urge the Government of Belize to place a moratorium on all harvesting of rosewood until the re-assessment of stocks is complete.

APAMO reaffirms its commitment to continue working with the Government of Belize and other stakeholders to protect the biodiversity of Belize for the well-being of the local communities and all Belizeans, who have been the stewards of our natural heritage.

Sincerely,
Yvette Alonzo
Executive Director

November 9, 2011
Hon. Gaspar Vega
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister of Natural Resources and
The Environment
Ministry of Natural Resources and
The Environment
Belmopan

Dear Hon Vega:

Re: Oil Exploration in the Sarstoon Temash National Park

The Association of Protected Areas Management Organizations stands in solidarity with the Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management in their call to the government to be open, transparent and accountable regarding any new permits issued for oil exploration in the Sarstoon Temash National Park.

APAMO as the umbrella organization of NGOs and CBOs working to conserve and manage the protected areas of Belize for the long term well being of local communities and the country of Belize, reaffirms its position of: NO to oil exploration and drilling offshore and NO to oil exploration and drilling within the protected areas under the National Parks Systems Act and in key private protected areas and watershed areas.

 APAMO continues to call on the Government of Belize to respect our protected areas and offshore areas which are critical for the wellbeing of all Belizeans and keep these areas free from oil exploration and exploitation. It is APAMO’s view that the oil industry cannot contribute to the sustainable economic development of Belize without proper consideration to the environment, local culture and adherence to environmental, protected areas, and socio-economic laws, policies and plans.

 It is also APAMO’s view that transparent consultation, participation and consensus with and from stakeholders, communities, and protected areas managers are necessary and essential before the granting of concessions and permits for oil exploration and production.

 Before giving oil concessions and permits, priority should be given to policy development for oil exploration and production that is properly consulted with the people of Belize, local experts, conservation managers, indigenous communities and their leaders in order to ensure best environmental practices and equitable distribution of the benefits derived from oil production and to prevent negative social and cultural and environmental impacts. This will guarantee that Belizeans will continue to maintain their basic, universal right of access to environmental services such as clean water, clean air and a healthy environment.

It is unacceptable that indigenous communities have been prevented from extracting resources from national parks and made to follow the law while powerful companies are given unilateral permission to explore for oil in the same area without proper consideration for the environment, the indigenous communities and their culture.

 APAMO therefore expresses its solidarity with SATIIM and does not support any activity that would compromise the protected areas, especially national parks, and the ability of our natural systems to maintain a healthy environment that is critical to sustaining the population and economy of Belize.

Sincerely,

Yvette Alonzo

Executive Director, APAMO