Senior Programme Assistant, Sustainable Fisheries

WWF-Malaysia; Semporna; On-site; MYR 19,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

WWF-Malaysia in Semporna is seeking a Senior Programme Assistant, Sustainable Fisheries, to support field implementation, fisheries monitoring, data management and stakeholder coordination across Semporna-Darvel Bay. You will work under the supervision of the Programme Officer, Sustainable Fisheries and contribute to donor reporting and project documentation.

The role supports Yellowfin Tuna and Larapan Small-Scale Fishery Projects, coordinating capacity-building, citizen-science activities and

Qualifications

• At least three years of relevant practical experience working directly with fishing communities, including community engagement, fisheries activities, landing-site work, community monitoring or related field implementation.
• Experience as a current or former fisher, boat crew member, fish-landing worker, community enumerator, fisher-association member or community representative may be considered relevant practical experience.
• Fluency in spoken Bajau is required because the role involves regular engagement with Bajau fishing communities.
• Practical experience in field surveys, fisheries monitoring, data collection, database maintenance, stakeholder engagement or project administration is an advantage.
• Ability to follow approved field and data-collection protocols, maintain accurate records and identify information requiring technical review.
• Competence in Microsoft 365 and suitable tools for data entry, database maintenance, project documentation and presentation.
• Basic understanding of safeguards, consent, inclusive engagement and occupational-safety requirements, or willingness and demonstrated ability to apply them.

Responsibilities

• Implement assigned Yellowfin Tuna Fishery Improvement Project, EU-CSO and Larapan Small-Scale Fishery Project field activities in accordance with approved workplans and instructions from the Programme Officer, Sustainable Fisheries.
• Coordinate field visits, training, workshops, consultations and stakeholder-engagement arrangements, including participant communication, venues, materials, travel and attendance records.
• Maintain regular field-level engagement with fishers, community enumerators, community organisations, landing-site actors, seafood businesses and project partners and refer technical, stakeholder or implementation issues to the Programme Officer, Sustainable Fisheries.

Skills

Community engagement

Data collection

Stakeholder coordination

Documentation

Microsoft 365

Problem solving

Bahasa Malaysia

English (basic)

Tools

Microsoft 365

Database tools

Presentation software

Job description

The Senior Programme Assistant, Sustainable Fisheries, Semporna-Darvel Bay, supports the implementation of sustainable-fisheries interventions in the Semporna-Darvel Bay Seascape under the supervision of the Programme Officer, Sustainable Fisheries. The position focuses on field implementation, fisheries monitoring, data management, stakeholder coordination, logistics and project documentation.

The incumbent supports the Yellowfin Tuna Fishery Improvement Project, the Larapan Small-Scale Fishery Project and fisheries-related components of the European Union Civil Society Organisation Fishery Improvement Project. Particular responsibilities include supporting capacity-building and citizen-science activities, implementation of agreed Fishery Improvement Project Action Plan activities, community-enumerator coordination, traceability documentation and sub-grantee records.

The incumbent collects, verifies, compiles and maintains fisheries and stakeholder information using approved methods and provides complete and timely inputs to the Programme Officer, Sustainable Fisheries for technical review, analysis, programme management and donor reporting. The incumbent does not hold responsibility for technical approval, budget accountability, donor commitments or the performance assessment of project partners.

KEY OUTPUTS

• Approved Yellowfin Tuna Fishery Improvement Project and European Union Civil Society Organisation-supported capacity-building, citizen-science and Action Plan activities are implemented with complete logistical, participation and supporting records.
• Fisheries monitoring and field data are collected, verified, compiled and submitted according to approved methods and timelines, including catch, effort, length-weight, fishing gear, fishing grounds, bycatch, traceability and relevant socioeconomic information.
• Community-enumerator submissions, fisheries databases, traceability records, field records and means of verification are complete, organised, current and readily available for technical review, donor reporting, audits and project assessments.
• Larapan Small-Scale Fishery Project field activities and reef-fish baseline monitoring are supported through community coordination, approved data collection, field documentation and logistical arrangements.
• Sub-grantee workplans, deliverables, expenditure inputs and supporting documentation are tracked and compiled, with missing information, delays and apparent inconsistencies promptly referred to the Programme Officer, Sustainable Fisheries.
• Training, consultations, field visits and stakeholder-engagement activities are supported through timely coordination, logistics, participant communication, documentation and follow-up.
• Applicable ESSF, FPIC and consent, Human Rights and Social Responsibility, GEDSI, Human Well-Being, grievance and feedback, data-management and occupational-safety requirements are applied and documented in assigned activities.
• Assigned workplan activities, progress updates, project records and contributions to technical reports, case studies, communications and funding proposals are completed within agreed timelines and quality requirements.

EU-CSO output and activity references are included where the responsibility directly contributes to the approved donor logical framework. Activities without an EU-CSO reference remain responsibilities under Marine Programme Phase 4 or other approved projects.

Field Implementation and Stakeholder Support

• Implement assigned Yellowfin Tuna Fishery Improvement Project, European Union Civil Society Organisation and Larapan Small-Scale Fishery Project field activities in accordance with approved workplans, methods and instructions from the Programme Officer, Sustainable Fisheries.
• Coordinate field visits, training, workshops, consultations and stakeholder-engagement arrangements, including participant communication, venues, materials, travel, attendance records, photographs and follow-up documentation.
• Maintain regular field-level engagement with fishers, community enumerators, community organisations, landing-site actors, seafood businesses and project partners and refer technical, stakeholder or implementation issues to the Programme Officer, Sustainable Fisheries.

Citizen Science Data and Traceability

• Collect, verify, clean, enter and organise fisheries-monitoring and citizen-science data using approved protocols and maintain current databases, field records and data-submission trackers.
• Coordinate community-enumerator schedules and submissions, follow up on missing information and flag data-quality concerns or unusual findings for technical review.
• Maintain fisheries traceability, landing and supply-chain records and refer suspected IUU incidents, destructive-fishing information or enforcement matters through the Programme Officer, Sustainable Fisheries and Officer, Ocean Stewardship.

Project Documentation and Reporting Support

• Compile means of verification, stakeholder records, sub-grantee documents, expenditure inputs and other supporting information for programme and donor reports, audits, evaluations and Fishery Improvement Project reviews.
• Maintain routine trackers for project activities, deliverables, reporting deadlines, risks and document submissions and promptly flag delays, gaps and inconsistencies without undertaking technical approval or financial verification.
• Provide verified datasets, field observations, photographs, maps and implementation records for technical reports, case studies, presentations, communications materials, scientific outputs and funding proposals.

Safeguards Administration and Team Support

• Apply assigned ESSF, FPIC and consent, Human Rights and Social Responsibility, GEDSI, Human Well-Being, grievance and feedback, occupational-safety and data-management procedures and promptly report identified concerns.
• Maintain complete and orderly electronic and physical project files and provide timely workplan, progress, logistics and administrative updates to the Programme Officer, Sustainable Fisheries.
• Support other sustainable-fisheries activities in Semporna-Darvel Bay when assigned by the Programme Officer, Sustainable Fisheries and approved through the reporting line.
• Participate wholeheartedly in the general activities of WWF-Malaysia, particularly events and activities that require the full support and participation of all staff members, whether or not the focus of a particular event or activity has a direct bearing on the job description and assigned programme objectives and activities.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Qualifications and Experience

• A formal tertiary qualification is not required for this position.
• At least three years of relevant practical experience working directly with fishing communities, including community engagement, fisheries activities, landing-site work, community monitoring or related field implementation.
• Experience as a current or former fisher, boat crew member, fish-landing worker, community enumerator, fisher-association member or community representative may be considered relevant practical experience.
• Fluency in spoken Bajau is required because the role involves regular engagement with Bajau fishing communities.
• Practical experience in field surveys, fisheries monitoring, data collection, database maintenance, stakeholder engagement or project administration is an advantage.
• Ability to follow approved field and data-collection protocols, maintain accurate records and identify information requiring technical review.
• Competence in Microsoft 365 and suitable tools for data entry, database maintenance, project documentation and presentation.
• Basic understanding of sustainable fisheries, Fishery Improvement Projects, seafood traceability, responsible fishing or community-based fisheries monitoring, or willingness and demonstrated ability to learn.
• Basic understanding of safeguards, consent, inclusive engagement and occupational-safety requirements, or willingness and demonstrated ability to apply them.

Personal Attributes and Other Requirements

• Good organisational, interpersonal and problem-solving skills, with careful attention to data quality, documentation and deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively in Bahasa Malaysia and prepare basic project records and field documentation. Basic working English is an advantage.
• Ability to work under supervision and collaborate effectively with field teams, communities, technical personnel and project partners.
• Willingness to travel, work flexible hours and undertake coastal, island, landing-site and boat-based field assignments.
• Possession of a valid driving licence. A recognised SCUBA certification is an advantage where diving is operationally required.
• Identifies and aligns with WWF's values of Courage, Integrity, Respect and Collaboration and meets applicable recruitment and background-screening requirements.

Salary Range

RM1,700 - RM2,600