Pacific Program Manager

Reports To: Senior Director of Training and Implementation 

Location: Fiji or Palau 

Position: Full-Time, Fixed-Term (5 years) 

Salary: Commensurate with experience and work location 

Organization Summary 

SECORE International, Inc. is a global nonprofit dedicated to the conservation and restoration of coral reefs through scalable, science-based solutions. SECORE partners with research institutions, governments, NGOs, and local communities to develop and implement innovative coral restoration techniques, building capacity and sharing knowledge to safeguard coral reef ecosystems around the world. 

Project and Position Overview 

SECORE International and partners are entering into a multiyear project to expand our work and successful coral seeding capacity building model to the Pacific. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work alongside some of the world’s leading coral breeding and enhancement institutions, directly contributing to the development of innovative coral enhancement and resilience projects that will have far-reaching impacts on coral restoration science and practice across the Pacific and beyond. 

The Pacific Program Manager will be a key team member responsible for coordinating, implementing, and advancing SECORE’s work across the Pacific. The successful candidate will 1) lead the development and implementation of project plans, 2) recruit and manage a small team that will support those operations, 3) lead collaborations with site-based and international project partners, and 4) facilitate the adaptation of successful methodologies and tools from other regions to a Pacific context. This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of applied science, technology innovation, and capacity building. 

SECORE recognizes that candidates may bring different combinations of education, professional experience, community knowledge, and technical expertise. Equivalent combinations of relevant education and experience will be considered. We are looking for a collaborative and culturally grounded leader who can build trusted relationships, coordinate complex activities, and help grow SECORE's coral restoration and capacity-building work across the Pacific. The ideal candidate will bring strong knowledge of and relationships within Pacific communities and institutions, as well as an interest in learning and applying new coral restoration approaches. Candidates with strong Pacific experience and transferable skills are encouraged to apply, even if they do not meet every preferred qualification. SECORE will provide training and mentorship to support the successful candidate in developing the technical knowledge and skills needed to implement the program.

Key Responsibilities 

● Lead the development of annual workplans for SECORE’s work in the Pacific. 

● Co-design and implement site specific plans with both local and international project partners. 

● Recruit and lead a small remote and in person staff to carry out project activities in the region. 

● Collaborate with scientist, engineering teams, and educators to adapt successful innovations from other regions to a Pacific Island context and assist in the refinement of these methods and tools based on pilots at the project sites. 

● Work closely with the full SECORE team across departments to integrate advancements into coral seeding programs and training materials. 

● Contribute to the development of decision-support frameworks and practitioner training resources to facilitate effective knowledge and skills transfer. 

● Prepare reports, publications, and presentations to communicate findings to partners, funders, and the broader scientific community. 

Required Qualifications 

● Degree in marine biology, aquaculture / mariculture, coral reef ecology, environmental science, or equivalent education and experience in a relevant field. 

● Demonstrated experience working effectively with local communities, organizations, institutions, or partners in Fiji, Micronesia, or the broader Pacific. 

● Demonstrated ability to build and maintain trusted relationships across diverse cultural and professional contexts. 

● Experience coordinating projects, programs, field activities, or partnerships. 

● Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in remote or geographically distributed environments. 

● Experience facilitating collaborative planning and decision-making among partners with diverse priorities and areas of expertise. 

● Demonstrated experience supervising, mentoring, and developing staff or project teams. 

● Ability to work effectively in a remote environment with collaborators across multiple time zones and cultures. 

● Strong organizational and project management skills with proven ability to coordinate complex projects. 

● Excellent written and oral communication skills in English 

● Willingness and ability to travel frequently and work in remote field settings. 

● Ability to work on small boats, snorkel, and work out of remote field sites—or willingness to develop these skills. 

● Legal ability to work in Fiji or Palau. 

Preferred Qualifications 

● Experience with coral larval propagation, coral seeding, coral breeding, coral husbandry, or related coral restoration techniques. 

● Experience designing or delivering adult education, technical training, or capacity-building programs. 

● Experience working with multidisciplinary teams including scientists, engineers, and practitioners. 

● Experience in public speaking and communications 

● Experience managing project budgets or donor-funded programs. 

● Scientific SCUBA certification and field experience. 

● Experience working across multiple Pacific Island countries or territories. 

● Ability to communicate in one or more Pacific Island languages. 

● Experience adapting technical or scientific information into practical tools, training, or guidance for diverse audiences. 

● Experience designing or implementing monitoring, evaluation, and learning approaches to assess project outcomes and inform adaptive management. 

Skills and Competences 

● Strong interpersonal skills, relationship oriented and collaborative. 

● Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. 

● Cultural sensitivity and ability to build collaborative relationships with local partners and stakeholders. 

● Flexibility and adaptability to changing field conditions and project needs. 

● Commitment to SECORE’s mission of advancing coral restoration through inclusive and equitable partnerships. 

● Staff supervision and team leadership, talent manager and conflict solver 

● Partnership/stakeholder management 

● Monitoring, evaluation, and adaptive management 

Employment Details 

● This is a full-time, fixed-term position with funding secured for 5 years (through June 2032), with the potential for extension if additional funding is obtained. 

● The successful candidate will be expected to participate in in-person team meetings and multiple site visits to locations around the world annually. 

● Candidate must be legally able to work in either Fiji or Palau, SECORE will not be able to sponsor work visa applications. 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 

SECORE values diversity in its team and strongly encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We believe diverse perspectives are critical to achieving successful and sustainable coral reef restoration. 

Application Instructions 

Please submit a single PDF document including a cover letter, writing sample, and CV/resume to jobs@secore.org with the subject line Pacific Program Manager Application. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled; to ensure full review of your application please submit by Sept 24, 2026.