The Technical Fellowship program hosts conservation Fellows who work to create dynamic and unconventional approaches to address barriers to sustainability and contribute to a shift in how nature is valued and protected. These Fellowships provide unparalleled opportunities for intensive focus and achievement at the intersection of climate, conservation, business, and technology.

The program engages experts to provide fresh thinking and extensive leadership to CI’s work around the world. With 2-year contracts, the Fellows will be able to expand the breadth of their skills, gain valuable experience in their fields, and find innovative solutions together with CI ​program staff and local partners. 

The Africa Ocean’s Fellow will provide much-needed capacity to realize our work in Africa’s Oceans, ensure fundraising, partnership development, and delivery. The Fellow will work between the Africa Field Division and the Center for Oceans to capitalize on the momentum created in the Western Indian Oceans and the Gulf of Guinea, to scope additional investments and build capacities needed to sustain this program. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. AFRICA OCEAN STRATEGY COMPLETION: The Fellow will work with key members of the Africa Field Division and the Center for Oceans to finalize CI’s Africa Oceans Strategy and oversee its implementation, 

• Initial focus on Mozambique and the WIO 
• Secondary focus on building out the Gulf of Guinea 
• Scoping the Atlantic Coast and other areas to be defined 

2. MOZAMBIQUE SEASCAPE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION: Work with the Africa Field Division, The Center for Oceans, and key partners to develop and initiate implementation of the Mozambique Seascape Vision (Year 1) 

• Finalize seascape vision and action plan
• Secure funding
• Develop partnership MOUs as needed
• Oversee initial activities including biological and socioeconomic assessments, stakeholder consultations, planning exercises, etc.  

3. PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND STEWARDSHIP: The Fellow will represent CI and engage directly with key stakeholders including civil society, national and regional government authorities, local communities, and existing multi-stakeholder platforms to collaborate on marine and coastal initiatives. The objective of these interactions will be to build relationships and trust, develop agreements, and outline action plans that identify and define CI’s contributions and those of partners within Africa’s marine system. These include but are not limited to: 

• Blue Nature Alliance
• IUCN 
• WIO Multi-Stakeholder Initiative (Great Blue Wall) 
• The Nairobi Convention
• The Abidjan Convention 
• Global Mangrove Alliance 

4. TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP: Provide technical expertise in marine management, fisheries management, and climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts, working with key resource people throughout CI as and where needed to support both CI Africa projects and those of our partners. (Ongoing) 

5. FUNDRAISING: Work with the Field Division and Center for Oceans to ensure that the Africa Oceans strategy is adequately funded (by year 2)

• Work with the Sr. Director of Development to raise funds to support the Africa oceans program and projects, including identifying and cultivating new sources of funding from national, regional, and international sources and ensure efficient proposal development. 
• Support fundraising efforts jointly with the Center for Oceans and other divisions across CI to increase the portfolio of marine and coastal projects.
• In coordination with national, regional, and global teams, write proposals, lead proposal teams, meet with donors, identify new donors, accompany donors on-site visits.
• Work with the conservation finance division to scope funding opportunities such as carbon offsets, payment for environmental services, endowment funds, and impact investments 

6. COMMUNICATION AND NETWORKING: Serve as the CI representative in various Ocean Fora

• Communicate the Africa oceans strategy, program, projects, and results to internal and external audiences.
• Represent the Africa oceans program at internal and external meetings and events 
• Seek out, share and convene meetings around science and knowledge that affect Africa’s oceans strategy and program.
• Coordinate a network of staff working on oceans in Africa

PEOPLE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES: The Africa Oceans Fellow will not manage staff but may direct the work of vendors or interns. They will not have the authority to allocate resources or approve budget expenditures.