Expression Of Interest: Coral Nursery Gardeners, Grenada

TERMS OF REFERENCE – CORAL NURSERY GARDENER – GRENADA

BACKGROUND 

The Grenada “Ridge to Reef Project” is designed to support Grenada’s compliance with a number of agreed international environmental management conservation strategies, policies and plans. The project’s objective is to ensure that biodiversity and ecosystem functions within and around the marine and terrestrial marine protected areas (MPAs) in Grenada are better protected from threats through the adoption of an integrated “Ridge to Reef” approach that increases protected area management. One intervention is the coral nursery programme; where the main goal is to increase the overall Acroporid coral cover on the reefs off Grenada by selective harvesting and/or collection of coral fragments that would be used as breed stock for coral nurseries within MPAs. These nursery-grown coral will then be transplanted back out onto reefs, thereby, significantly reducing the space between colonies; increasing the success of cross-fertilisation; and increasing the overall resilience to climate change and other threats.

The MPA Coral nursery programme is envisaged as being a community-based environmental programme where members of the communities adjacent to MPAs would be trained and equipped to conduct the maintenance and coral nursery activities within their respective MPAs. A stipend would be provided to coral gardeners based on the number of hours of work completed. The DEADLINE for application for positions as coral gardeners is 26 June 2017.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Objectives of the assignment are:

1. Facilitate the recovery of the Acroporid coral throughout the MPA network of Grenada through the transplantation of nursery-grown corals.
2. Foster environmental awareness and stewardship amongst the communities adjacent to the various MPAs (especially with regard to coral reef ecology).

SCOPE OF WORK

Under the supervision of the Coral Nursery Coordinator and the direction of the Fisheries Division, the Coral Nursery Gardeners will be responsible for the day to maintenance and monitoring of the coral nursery programme under the Ridge to Reef project.

Specifically, coral gardeners will be required to:

1. Inspect coral nursery material and equipment to ensure that all are in good working condition, for safety hazards and prepare inspection reports, job hazard analysis, incident investigations and other reports as required.
2. Assist in public education and sensitisation programmes on Marine Protected Areas and the coral nursery programme.
3. Maintain vehicles, work sites, buildings, maintenance shops, yards and storage areas in clean, safe condition.
4. Have adequate vision and hearing, manual dexterity, communication and motor skills to perform the duties of the position, including emergency response situations.
5. Work irregular shifts (split, evenings, weekends, and holidays) and volunteer 2-4 hours twice weekly.
6. Perform any other duties/tasks assigned by the Coral Nursery Coordinator and/or the Fisheries Division consistent with the objectives and operations of the Coral Nursery programme.

WORKING CONDITIONS

1. Work is performed in, on and around buildings, facilities, boats and grounds, inside and outside in all weather conditions (exclusive of extreme weather conditions that have been deemed unsafe).
2. Walks up and down inclines and stairs, over rough, uneven, and slippery terrain or paved surfaces and over distances up to 5 miles.
3. Reaches above shoulder level and occasionally works on hands and knees.
4. Bends, stoops, crouches, kneels, crawls, climbs, twists, pushes and pulls in regular performance of duties.
5. Manoeuvres, manipulates and operates hand and powered tools and heavy equipment. May sit or stand for long periods of time.
6. May lift and move up to 50 pounds on a regular basis and up to 100 pounds or more with assistance.
7. May work in congested work areas, confined spaces and remote locations.  Frequently interacts with the public.
8. Dive to depths of 5-25 meters (no greater than).
9. May travel overnight to other coral nurseries, MPAs, headquarters, or other agency facilities for training and meetings.
10. May be exposed to environmental and chemical hazards, allergens, and odours standard to area of assignment, such as high noise, chemicals, and fumes requiring safety controls.
11. Uses appropriate safety and personal protective equipment and follows established safety policies, practices and procedures.

CORAL GARDENER STAKEHOLDER GROUPS QUALIFICATIONS

Persons interested in volunteering MUST choose one of the following groups to apply under:

Student

• Secondary school certificate, preferably with CXC (or its equivalent) in Agriculture Science, Integrated Science, Biology, Geography and/or Chemistry.
• Must be presently enrolled in a tertiary institution, eg TA Marryshow Community College or St George’s University, etc. (evidence must be provided).
• Open or Advanced Open Water SCUBA certified or willingness to be certified.
• Must be able to volunteer 2-3 hours once or twice weekly (including Saturdays/Sundays).
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must be a resident of the proposed community or communities adjacent to the specific MPA.

Teacher

• Must teach (presently) in a primary or secondary school in adjacent communities of the proposed Grand Anse MPA.
• Open or Advanced Open Water SCUBA certified or willingness to be certified.
• Must be able to volunteer 2-3 hours once or twice weekly (including Saturdays/Sundays).
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must be a resident of the proposed community or communities adjacent to the particular MPA.

Farmer

• Must be presently engaged in subsistence or intensive farming
• Open or Advanced Open Water SCUBA certified or willingness to be certified.
• Must be able to volunteer 2-3 hours once or twice weekly (including Saturdays/Sundays).
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must be a resident of the proposed community or communities adjacent to the specific MPA.

Fisher

• Must be presently engaged in subsistence or intensive fishing
• Open or Advanced Open Water SCUBA certified or willingness to be certified.
• Must be able to volunteer 4-5 hours twice weekly (including Saturdays/Sundays).
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must be a resident of the proposed community or communities adjacent to the specific MPA.

Community Member

• Open or Advanced Open Water SCUBA certified or willingness to be certified.
• Must be able to volunteer 2-3 hours once or twice weekly (including Saturdays/Sundays).
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must be a resident of the proposed community or communities adjacent to the particular MPA.

PAYMENT

Coral gardeners would receive a stipend of EC$50 per day. Though, services may not be required for a complete day of work at any given time.

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Interested candidates are invited to send their Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume AND a cover letter indicating the stakeholder group they wish to represent and why. Applications can be hand delivered or emailed to:

Mr Joseph Noel
Project Officer, UNDP Ridge to Reef Office, Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment
Email: joseph.noel@undp.org
Address: Ministerial Complex, Tanteen, St George’s.

Mr Denzel Adams

Coral Nursery Coordinator, Marine Protected Areas Unit, Fisheries Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment
Email: ocean4legend@gmail.com
Address: Fisheries Division, Second Floor of the Melville Street Fish Market, MPA Office, Melville Street, St George’s.

Mr Olando Harvey

National Marine Protected Area Coordinator, Marine Protected Areas Unit, Fisheries Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment
Email: landokeri@yahoo.com
Address: Fisheries Division, Second Floor of the Melville Street Fish Market, MPA Coordinator’s Office, Melville Street, St George’s.