INSPIRE Project Manager

Application deadline: Monday 20 October 23:59 FJST

Location: Suva, Fiji. We may consider other locations in the region (New Zealand, Australia, and other Pacific Island countries) for exceptional candidates, if we are able to employ in that country. Please state clearly in your application if you wish to work from a location other than Fiji.

Contract: Full-time, fixed until 31 July 2026. Potential extension subject to funding.

Salary: Competitive - salary & benefits will vary by location.

We’re BirdLife International, the only global Partnership conserving birds and all life on our planet. We exist to give one voice to nature, and to unite and strengthen conservation across borders. BirdLife is supporting conservation programmes in 10 Pacific Island countries and territories coordinated from the regional office in Fiji.

In the Pacific, BirdLife is working to secure Island birds and other native biodiversity by addressing key threats. Of these, invasive alien species are a leading cause of biodiversity loss, also affecting livelihoods and the Pacific way of life. In response, BirdLife has partnered with the Kiwa Initiative to deliver INSPIRE, INvasive SPecIes management for Resilient Ecosystems and communities: a nature-based solution for adapting to climate change in the Pacific. This three-year regional project will mainstream invasive species management through action at priority biodiversity sites, capacity building, and policy influence in Fiji, French Polynesia, Palau, and Samoa.

We are looking for a qualified and experienced Project Manager to lead the INSPIRE Project.  The role reports to the Pacific Island Restoration Programme Manager. As Project Manager, you will play a central role in advancing the goals of INSPIRE.

How you will do this:

• Providing strategic direction to and coordination of project activities and resources addressing invasive species management, biodiversity, complimentary livelihood and climate resilience outcomes across demonstration site, policy, and capacity development outputs.
• Leading the development of national and regional capacity building of IAS (Invasive Alien Species) as a NbS (Nature-based Solution) including the establishment of a Pacific Ecosystem Resilience Learning network (PERL)
• Leading and coordinating the project’s technical and financial requirements, including procurement, workplans, reporting, financial audits, project evaluations, ensuring outputs are delivered on time and within budget.
• Effectively managing and supporting a geographically dispersed team, including the INSPIRE Capacity Development Coordinator (Fiji), four National INSPIRE Coordinators, and across contributing technical, MEL (Monitoring, Evaluating & Learning), policy and communication roles.

What we are looking for:

Essential Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate will have a tertiary biological science qualification, and extensive experience managing large, multi-disciplined regional projects supporting biodiversity conservation and social development outcomes in Pacific Islands. They will demonstrate advanced skills in managing indicators, logframes, workplans, budgets, and reporting, with proven ability to deliver on time and within budget.

An understanding of invasive species impacts and management approaches will be critical but with expertise in developing learning networks and leading the development of national and regional capacity supporting invasive species, biodiversity, sustainable livelihoods, and climate change adaptation needs, is essential. Technical understanding of biodiversity outcomes and experience in assessing social development, and climate resilience through effective MEL frameworks is also an important skill set informing project impact.

The successful candidate will be a dynamic, results-oriented leader with excellent project management, and communication skills capable of engaging varied audiences in unfamiliar and complex topics. In bringing a passion and skill set for protecting nature and working with people across diverse cultural, and geographical settings you demonstrate a commitment to leading a cohesive and high-performing team in having a significant impact. If this sounds like you we want to hear from you.

This role will require travel across the Pacific Islands region for extended periods (up to 3 months annually).

See the full job description here.

First interviews will be held online during the week of October 27. 

BirdLife values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Find out more about our Diversity statement.

We are committed to building and maintaining an inclusive and supportive culture, a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We aim to promote a more inclusive environment, which attracts all candidates and signals our commitment to celebrate and promote diversity.

We will consider putting into place appropriate reasonable adjustments for candidates who may have a disability.