Manager, Science and Data for Decision Making, Rare

Position Overview

Education Required: Master’s degree in marine science, fisheries management, environmental science, ecology, or related field

Experience Required: Minimum 7 to 10 years of professional experience in conservation science, fisheries research, or program M&E, with at least 3 years in a management or team leadership role

Description

Rare Brasil is hiring a Manager, Science and Data for Decision Making, based in Belém, Pará, Brazil, on a hybrid full-time schedule, leading the organisation’s monitoring, evaluation, and program data systems function.

Rare inspires change so people and nature thrive. Rare Brasil is a Brazilian non-profit established in 2014 under an Affiliate Agreement with Rare Inc. Since 2019, Rare Brasil has concentrated efforts in Pará, working with local, state, and national partners to strengthen coastal fisheries governance through three pillars: community-based fisheries management; access to citizenship rights and public policies for artisanal marine-coastal fishers; and financial inclusion and fair markets. The organization operates in 12 coastal municipalities within Marine Extractive Reserves (Resex), reaching more than 28,000 people including 960 women and 70 youth.

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Program Implementation, the Manager provides oversight and direction to a team of specialists and consultants, translating Rare’s strategic goals into operational plans aligned with grant requirements, institutional partnerships, and community-level outcomes. This is a management role focused on people leadership, budget management, operational planning, and quality control of monitoring and data processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead annual and multi-year workplan development for the science and data workstream, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and grant deliverables.
• Define, monitor, and adjust program scope, milestones, and KPIs in coordination with implementation and fundraising teams.
• Oversee planning cycles and ensure timely, quality delivery of science and data outputs across all program areas.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams (implementation, communications, fundraising, operations) for integrated delivery and coherent reporting.
• Manage and support a small team responsible for monitoring, data management, and reporting; provide direction, performance feedback, and professional development.
• Conduct performance reviews and support career development planning for direct reports; coordinate consultants or temporary technical support as required.
• Manage assigned budgets across grants, ensuring expenditures align with approved plans and donor requirements.
• Review and approve financial transactions within the science and data workstream, monitoring burn rates and flagging variances.
• Develop, manage, and continuously improve Rare Brasil’s M&E framework integrating biological, socioeconomic, governance, and community wellbeing indicators.
• Lead development and implementation of M&E plans across all program sites in consultation with implementation teams.
• Oversee data quality assurance processes, including routine checks for completeness, consistency, and timeliness.
• Manage data collection tools (household surveys, production data, ecological monitoring, governance assessments) and adaptive protocols.
• Coordinate with Rare/FF global teams to align data collection, entry, analysis, and visualization with global standards.
• Support biophysical monitoring activities including ecological surveys, species assessments, and fisheries productivity indicators within Marine Extractive Reserves (Resex).
• Manage socioeconomic research cycles including household surveys, livelihood assessments, gender and equity analysis, and governance indicators for artisanal fishing communities.
• Oversee architecture and quality of Rare Brasil’s data systems, from field data entry platforms to analytical dashboards and impact reporting tools.
• Lead data governance: standardization, storage, security, and access protocols.
• Identify and implement technology solutions such as ODK, KoBoToolbox, GIS, and Power BI to strengthen data infrastructure.
• Represent Rare Brasil in scientific forums, technical committees, and policy dialogues related to fisheries science and coastal conservation.
• Contribute to publications, technical reports, and communications products that translate scientific evidence for diverse audiences.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in marine science, fisheries management, environmental science, ecology, or related field.
• Minimum 7 to 10 years of professional experience in conservation science, fisheries research, or program monitoring and evaluation, with at least 3 years in a management or team leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience designing and managing M&E frameworks for conservation or development programs.
• Experience managing partnerships with universities, research institutions, and government agencies.
• Proven track record in grant management, workplan development, and delivering measurable results with accountability.
• Fluency in written and spoken Portuguese; advanced English required.
• Experience in team leadership, performance management, and organizational coordination.
• Experience working with artisanal fishing communities or in coastal/marine conservation contexts in Brazil.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD or postgraduate degree in fisheries science, environmental science, or related area.
• Experience in community-based fisheries management and co-management frameworks in coastal or Amazon contexts.
• Familiarity with artisanal fishing governance and coastal territory management in the states where Rare Brasil operates (Amapá, Pará).
• Experience working within or in partnership with international NGOs.
• Valid Category B driver’s license.
• Strategic leadership and systems thinking applied to people management, science delivery, and program outcomes.
• Deep understanding of Brazilian coastal conservation policy and fisheries governance, particularly in Amazonian states.
• Strong project management, organizational, and prioritization skills.
• Excellent facilitation, partnership-building, and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Analytical capacity for interpreting ecological and social data within political and community contexts.
• High emotional intelligence and adaptability in multicultural and field-based settings.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, data tracking systems, and online collaboration tools.

Additional Notes

• Full-time, hybrid; typical hours Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with occasional extended hours.
• Eligible for Rare’s flexible work and telecommuting policy.
• Willingness to travel across coastal marine states where Rare Brasil operates (30 to 40 percent travel).
• Equal opportunity employer; Rare prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic.

How to Apply

Apply through the Rare careers portal.