Marine planning, Resource management, First Nations

Contract Announcement: Regional Projects Coordinator
Organization: Marine Plan Partnership for the North Pacific Coast (MaPP) 
Location: Remote - candidate must be resident in British Columbia

Position Summary

The MaPP initiative seeks to contract an experienced project coordinator with demonstrated experience working with government, First Nations, and stakeholders in marine management and planning. The contractor will support the implementation of MaPP’s Regional Action Framework (RAF).

This is a full time, one-year renewable contracted position that will appeal to a driven professional who understands the complexities of government-to-government projects and works well in a virtual environment where leadership, innovation, teamwork, and sound planning are valued. The contractor will work remotely, be located in British Columbia, and must be available to meet virtually with other MaPP contractors and partners during normal business hours.

Overview

The Marine Plan Partnership for the North Pacific Coast (MaPP) is a partnership between the Province of British Columbia (B.C.) and 17 member First Nations, who developed and are implementing marine use plans for B.C.’s North Pacific Coast. The MaPP region is divided into four sub-regions: Haida Gwaii, North Coast, Central Coast, and North Vancouver Island. Four MaPP Marine Plans are being implemented at the sub-regional level and through coordinated regional initiatives identified in a Regional Action Framework (RAF). For implementation work related to the RAF, and for consistency in achieving MaPP implementation commitments, the co-chairs of sub-regional implementation teams collaborate as a regional MaPP Implementation Technical Team (MITT).

To learn more about MaPP, please visit mappocean.org.

Position Summary

The Contractor will coordinate work that supports the implementation of the MaPP RAF as outlined in annual workplans approved by the MaPP Partners. The Regional Projects Coordinator reports to the MaPP Operations Manager for day-to-day operations and works primarily to support the MaPP Implementation Technical Team (MITT) through coordination of topic-specific sub-committees and working groups.

Preference will be given to contractors who have experience working with Indigenous organizations, governments and/or communities, in marine planning, applied marine science, and with demonstrated experience managing complex projects with a diverse and virtual team. Experience in science communications, grant writing, and performance reporting is an asset.

Scope of Work

The Contractor will work as part of a small team of MaPP contractors with the co-chairs of the MITT and MITT sub-committees to advance the projects and activities in the 2025-26 workplan, including:

Ecosystem Based Management (EBM) Indicators Sub-committee – Advancing the MaPP Regional Kelp Monitoring Project, which is focused on using robust scientific methods and innovative technology to improve our understanding of kelp and contribute to informed management decisions through field work, kelp monitoring programs, data analysis, and collaboration with the scientific community. Other priorities for the sub-committee that will be supported by the contractor in 2025-26 will include coordinated eelgrass monitoring and European green crab response planning.

Climate Change Working Group – Advancing the climate change priorities of the MaPP Partners, including seeking funds for an updated climate risk report and adaptation plan, including assessments of sea level rise and coastal flooding risk, and impacts to archaeological, cultural and harvesting sites, and European green crab response planning.

MPA Network-MaPP Coordination – The contractor will participate in the MPA Network Coordination Committee, provide updates on MaPP sub-committee work, and propose project synergies and opportunities to advance MaPP and MPA Network objectives.2

2 To learn more about the MPA Network for the Northern Shelf Bioregion, visit mpanetwork.ca.

MaPP-Hakai Working Group – The contractor will participate in this working group with the Hakai Institute, which provides administrative and organizational support for the Regional Kelp Monitoring Project, the MaPP Metadata Catalogue Project, and the MaPP Data Mobilization effort.

Communications Sub-committee – The contractor will coordinate meetings of the communications sub-committee, including overseeing contracts to develop a communications strategy and regional news stories. Once the communications strategy is approved, the contractor will work with the sub-committee to secure funding to implement the strategy.

Data Management and Marine Plant Harvest – The contractor will participate as needed in this sub-committee to support linkages with the EBM Indicators and other sub-committees. In 2025-26 the work of the Data Management sub-committee will include finalizing a data management strategy, continuing to update and implement the MaPP metadata catalogue, and maintaining the MaPP Marine Planning Portal.

Marine Plant Harvest Sub-Committee – In 2025-26 the sub-committee will be developing policy recommendations and management direction for marine plant harvest in the MaPP region, informed by MaPP Partner expertise and the results of EBM indicator monitoring work (the contractor will support linkages with the EBM Indicators Sub-committee).

Key Activities and Deliverables

• Work with the MITT, MITT sub-committees, and Regional Projects Coordination Team (MaPP contractors) to implement the 2025-26 MaPP Regional workplan activities; facilitate consistencies and efficiencies in work plan implementation, where possible.
• Support the MITT and MITT sub-committee co-chairs in conducting meetings and/or workshops to achieve workplan outcomes, including agenda, and materials development, and post-meeting/workshop actions and follow up.
• Deliver workplan implementation progress reports twice annually in the format provided.
• Identify strategic opportunities for collaboration and partnerships in support of MaPP and MPA Network implementation.
• Scan for and support applications to funding opportunities in support of MaPP project priorities (e.g. foundations, governments).
• Write reports, briefing notes, and presentations.
• Support the development of requests for proposals to MaPP contract opportunities; coordinate external contracts and deliverables as required.
• With the Operations Manager, monitor the regional budget and spending.
• Support regional stakeholder engagement activities, including coordinating twice-yearly Regional Marine Advisory Committee (RMAC) meetings.
• Support MaPP external communications and activities, including organizing events.
• Support on-boarding of new Partner staff on the work of various sub-committees.
• Build strong working relationships with MaPP partners and collaborators.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills

• Significant experience (8+ years) in project management is essential, preferably some in marine planning or resource management. Additional consideration will be given to applicants with advanced degrees.
• Knowledgeable about Indigenous-led marine stewardship and co-governance in British Columbia, including a strong familiarity with MaPP and related marine planning initiatives in the Northern Shelf Bioregion.
• Experience supporting government-to-government projects with First Nations governments.
• Demonstrated experience in cultural competency and knowledgeable about reconciliation in practice.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to express ideas clearly and concisely for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated technical writing skills and experience reviewing technical documents.
• Experience working as part of multi‐disciplinary teams; ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships and partnerships.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, conduct, and summarize regular team meetings.
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities; experience managing multiple project activities simultaneously
• Ability to work remotely and manage own workload under limited direction.
• Degree in a related field such as planning, science or public administration preferred.
• Computer skills in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are mandatory; familiarity with Dropbox andZoom/Teams/Google Meet.

Terms of Engagement The MaPP Regional Projects Coordinator will be an independent contractor who is expected to work from their own office and to provide the equipment necessary to conduct this work, including a computer and appropriate software, reliable internet, and phone access. The Contractor must be accessible and available for meetings during normal business hours. Contract Period: This is a 1-year, renewable contract beginning approximately February 15, 2025 and ending March 31, 2026. Fees: $50-60 per hour depending on experience, billed at the end of each month. Location: Contractor to be located in British Columbia Travel: Occasional travel may be expected depending on contractor location. Travel costs are approved in advance and reimbursed using Provincial government rates.

To Apply

Please email your resume and a cover letter that clearly explains how you meet the qualifications, experience, and skills, including examples from previous contracts or employment to:

Subject: MaPP Regional Projects Coordinator

To: Philip Akins, MaPP Operations Manager and Jennifer Temple, MaPP Regional Projects Coordinator

E‐mail: pakins (at) mappocean.org and jtemple (at) mappocean.org

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Applications will be reviewed beginning February 6, 2025. The job will be advertised until a suitable candidate has been selected.