Project Manger, Community Supported Fisheries

SeaWeb has secured funding for a pilot project that will research and deliver a ‘Community Supported Fishery’ (CSF) scheme in South East England, with the aim of creating regional sustainability benefits across the triple-bottom line (environmental, social, economical).

We are seeking a part-time freelance/fixed-term Project Manager to coordinate and implement this work.

This role-holder will deliver the core CSF project and outputs (including scoping audiences, coordinating with fishers and local partners, managing logistics and writing reports). The CSF Project Manager will be based in SeaWeb's London office and will liaise closely internally with SeaWeb’s UK Programme Manager and Communications Manager, and externally with project partners and collaborators, plus the funder. This is a wide-ranging role and would suit someone with a genuine interest in fisheries, as well as sustainable and alternative food systems. In particular the role-holder must have impeccable relationship building skills.

About this project and CSFs

This project will pilot and evaluate the creation of an alternative food network known as a Community Supported Fishery (CSF). Based on the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model, CSFs follow variable models but are often successful in creating a transparent and short supply chain, enabling access to fresher and local seafood, supporting local fishers through fair prices, improving sustainability of fishing practices (e.g. catching less, landing more), and creating stronger relationships between fishers and the community. This project will test a CSF model whereby a group of fishers supply to three distinct ‘subscriber communities’ in South-East England: it is intended these will include one coastal or very near coastal community, and two other locations slightly further from the coast.

Of particular interest to this project is whether CSFs influence consumers’ acceptance and consumption of a diverse spread of seafood species (e.g. under-utilised or discarded species such as dab, gurnard and whiting) and how this varies in different communities.

SeaWeb will deliver this project through its Seafood Choices programme that has worked since 2001 to advance sustainability in the seafood marketplace. www.seafoodchoices.org

Tasks and Responsibilities include

• Collaboration with regional South East fishers.
• Collaboration with regional interest groups (e.g. food and sustainability groups).
• Scoping and specification of fish species, seasons, fishing locations and consumer locations.
• Definition of legal and fiscal structure for the CSF cooperative (with input from external expert groups).
• Planning and Co-ordination of logistical details of the CSF (e.g. delivery, transport, processing).
• Co-design, and delivery, of communications resources (e.g. website, social media, and printed leaflets/recipes).
• Co-design, and delivery, of community engagement events (e.g. BBQ, fishery visits).
• Liaison and relationship building with key-stakeholder groups and project delivery partners.
• Report writing, project secretariat duties and funder liaison.

Desired Skills, Knowledge and Qualities

• Bachelor’s degree.
• A positive attitude and superior inter-personal skills.
• Understanding of conservation issues and interest in mission of SeaWeb.
• Knowledge of food issues and experience of (or interest in) food projects.
• Knowledge of fishery issues and experience of (or interest in) UK fisheries.
• Understanding of strategic communications and behaviour change/social marketing.
• Experience creating website content and/or communication materials (newsletters, posters, etc.).
• Experience organising events and/or managing a network.
• Proven project management skills, including adherence to tight deadlines.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently with self-motivation and also an amicable team-player
• Computer literacy, knowledge of Microsoft Office and internet tools such as Google, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. (Experience of Macintosh operating systems an advantage).
• Driving license/access to own transport will be an advantage.

Background Information

Community Supported Agriculture (UK food schemes):
www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk
www.soilassociation.org/communitysupportedagriculture

Community Supported Fisheries (North American examples):
www.localcatch.org

How to Apply

Call Emily Howgate to discuss the role further: 0207 922 7780

Please apply by sending your CV, together with a brief cover letter stating why you are interested in the role and your anticipated availability (e.g. number of days per week; from and till what dates), to: ehowgate@seaweb.org .

This project is ready to begin as soon as the right person is recruited. Please submit applications ASAP (29/2/12 at the latest).

Applicants should be available to work from March/April 2012.

Applications are strongly encouraged from candidates reflecting diverse educational, cultural and experiential backgrounds. We encourage applications from women, people with disabilities, people of diverse ethnic, racial, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds, educational and work experiences, geographic and national origins, sexual orientations and ages.

SeaWeb is an equal opportunity employer.