Type: 
Paid
Closing date: 
26 Jan 2026
Section: 
Mahe

SALARY:                                            SG11

REPORTING TO:                             Deputy Chief Executive Officer

LOCATION:                                       Head Office

HOURS OF WORK:                         40 hours per week, may require to work outside working hours

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Context and Background

The Seychelles Islands Foundation requires a motivated and professional individual to successfully coordinate and implement SIF’s projects. The Head of Projects (HoP) is responsible for the smooth coordination and expansion of SIF project programme which includes projects on management, conservation, biosecurity and education/outreach. The role includes coordination of externally funded projects, which require associated reporting duties to funding agencies, and internal projects, as well as biosecurity duties. The HoP is responsible for all stages of project management, from submitting funding applications and coordinating project staff, to preparing final reports and budgets for funders, as well as ensuring that project results and outcomes are disseminated in appropriate ways. This position is based on Mahé in SIF Head Office (HO) with potential trips to the sites. The HoP reports to the Deputy Chief Executive Officer and coordinates project team staff.

Duties and Responsibilities

Project Coordination

  1. Ensure the highest standards of project implementation according to project documents/ proposals and professional quality are met by all of SIF projects;
  2. Coordinate technical and logistical aspects all SIF projects, including work plans and budgets at both sites, and staff management where appropriate;
  3. Evaluate, seek and follow up funding opportunities at a national and international level including the maintenance of a database of potential donors and collaborators;
  4. Maintain and update a portfolio of project documents and funding proposals, in line with management plans for the two sites;
  5. Manage teams of project staff and students including logistics coordination (e.g., ensuring transport and accommodation of staff is arranged), being a contact point within SIF HO, checking on project progress, holding regular meetings, conducting appraisals and making recommendations to HR, and reporting project progress and concerns to the DRC/DCEO;
  6. Responsible for administrative matters in relation to the projects in coordination with the Finance Officer and Administrative Officer;
  7. Develop and implement project work plans according to approved time-scales;
  8. Assist and lead the sourcing of project equipment;
  9. Provide supervision, support and advice to projects staff and volunteers;
  10. Visit both sites on request to fulfil and oversee project commitments;
  11. Ensure project results are written up as required and disseminated widely, as e.g. technical reports and financial reports to funders/supporters, popular articles for newsletters and annual reports, social media posts for Facebook and Twitter, co-authorship of scientific papers as appropriate, email summaries of results to stakeholders;
  12. Review project proposals and documents relevant to the two sites and national interests in the field on request;
  13. Provide technical input into management decisions as required;

Scientific Coordination of Aldabra and Vallée de Mai

  1. Facilitate the export/import of biological research samples/specimens and liaise with researchers and relevant government authorities concerning sample transport;

Biosecurity

  1. Act as a focal point and coordinator for execution of SIF biosecurity measures;
  2. Ensure that biosecurity measures are implemented for transit of supplies, equipment and staff;
  3. Liaise with the operations staff, site managers and designated biosecurity officers at each site to ensure internal biosecurity processes operate smoothly;
  4. Liaise with IDC/vessel operators visiting Aldabra regarding biosecurity measure implementation;
  5. Ensure that all new staff and visitors are aware of SIF biosecurity measures;
  6. Ensure that biosecurity is institutionalized into SIF operational and administrative procedures;
  7. Ensure that designated biosecurity officers receive relevant training and information;
  8. Ensure that national biosecurity operations manuals and legislation are adhered to;
  9. Liaise with relevant partners and agencies on biosecurity matters;

IT Management and Support

  1. Liaise and act as main contact point with SIF’s IT consultant;

Communication, Education and Outreach

  1. Review and fact-check SIF’s outreach materials on projects, such as social media posts, newsletter articles, annual reports and media articles on request;
  2. Contribute regular posts and articles to SIF’s outreach programme;
  3. Represent SIF at national and international meetings and events on request;
  4. Design and deliver high quality presentations on any aspect of SIF’s projects to internal, local and international audiences, ensuring that content is appropriate for the target audience;
  5. Advise SIF’s tourism and education programme on request to ensure accuracy of information;
  6. Ensure SIF’s procedures, code of conduct, and financial rules and regulations are followed by all staff under PC supervision.

Qualifications and Experience:

  • Min. BSc, preferably post-graduate qualification (at least MSc) in an environmental subject (essential)
  • Min. 2 years successful environmental project management/support experience (essential)
  • Strong experience in management of different types of projects including technical reporting, budget writing and implantation, log-framework development (essential)
  • Technical skills including very high computer literacy, good understanding of GPS use and GIS software (e.g., QGIS, Arc GIS) (essential)
  • Experience of successful fund-raising and proposal writing (essential)
  • Strong background of writing documents in English to a range of audiences (essential; ideally a breadth of work including research reports, technical reports, proposals, popular articles, scientific manuscripts, social media posts)
  • Experience with coordinating teams (essential)
  • Excellent understanding of regional and national conservation, socio-economic and development issues (essential)
  • Experience with coordinating biosecurity activities to meet international best practices (essential)
  • Experience of developing and delivering high level presentations (essential)
  • Experience of project management in Seychelles or Indian Ocean (preferred)
  • International exposure/NGO work experience is considered an asset for this position (preferred)

Skills and Characteristics:

  • Excellent organizational, planning and multi-tasking skills - ability to establish priorities and to plan and coordinate work; ability to effectively coordinate different projects
  • Strong communication skills – able to communicate with diverse groups and audiences effectively in both writing and verbally, presentation plus effective interpersonal skills
  • Independently motivated to use international best practices in delivering effective results
  • Highly developed sense of professionalism
  • Good teamwork and respect for diversity – ability to manage and motivate teams of staff to achieve results
  • Proven adaptiveness, resourcefulness and positivity
  • Commitment and diligence – Committed to conservation of the two UNESCO sites and diligently working towards achieving results for a sustainable future for Aldabra and Vallée de Mai
  • Fluency in English speaking and writing (essential), Creole (preferable), French (asset).

 

Apply now with an application form (which can be downloaded from our website, or collected at Mont Fleuri or Vallée de Mai Visitor Centre), your C.V. & a cover letter sent to recruitment@sif.sc. Kindly note deadline for application is Friday 23rd January 2026.