Projects Assistant - Africa Marine Programme

• Application deadline: Thursday 24 September 2026 – 23:59
• Location: Dakar, Senegal
• Full-time: 40 hours per week
• Contract: 1 year fixed-term contract
• Salary: Gross monthly salary: EURO 800 – 1,079

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.

We are seeking a dedicated Projects Assistant who will contribute to the implementation of projects within BirdLife International’s Africa Marine Programme, with a strong focus on seabird conservation and fisheries engagement, bycatch mitigation, fisheries governance and data collection systems in West Africa. The Projects Assistant will provide technical and coordination support to fisheries-related components of key projects, including direct collaboration with observer programmes, fishing communities, and regional stakeholders. The role involves coordinating and delivering field-based activities, including training delivery, community engagement, and monitoring of fisheries interactions with marine biodiversity, and contributing to strengthening science–policy linkages, fisheries data systems, and stakeholder engagement across the region.

How you will do this:

Fisheries Engagement & Field Support

• Engage with fisheries stakeholders, including authorities, observer programmes, and fishing communities.
• Build and maintain relationships with local partners and stakeholders to support project activities and data collection.
• Collect, collate and synthesise information on fisheries practices, including gear types and bycatch issues.

Data Collection, Monitoring & Training

• Conduct data collection and analysis related to fisheries and bycatch, and contribute to reporting on findings.
• Coordinate and implement observer programmes and monitoring activities.
• Plan and deliver trainings and capacity-building activities with fisheries stakeholders.

Project Implementation

• Coordinate and deliver project activities, including workshops, meetings, and fieldwork.
• Manage coordination between partners and stakeholders, ensuring timely delivery of project outputs.
• Produce project documentation, reports, and maintain organised project records.

Field Activities

• Assist in preparing financial analyses and management reports.
• Coordinate activities with fishing communities, including trainings and monitoring with fishers.
• Manage community engagement and data collection in the field.

This role will require 4-6 weeks of travel per year within West and North Africa.

What we are looking for:

The successful candidate will hold an MSc or equivalent postgraduate qualification in marine science, fisheries science, environmental management, or a related field, with 6–12 months of relevant professional experience in fisheries, marine conservation, or coastal community work in West Africa. They will have a good understanding of fisheries systems, bycatch and marine conservation, with familiarity with the West African fisheries sector and established stakeholder networks considered a strong advantage. The role requires excellent organisational, coordination and interpersonal skills, including the ability to manage multiple deadlines, build effective partner relationships, and plan and deliver workshops, training and stakeholder engagement activities. Candidates should demonstrate strong analytical and reporting skills, experience with fisheries monitoring and applied conservation, and the ability to work independently, take initiative and solve problems proactively. Strong MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint skills are essential, while proficiency in statistical software and/or GIS is desirable. Excellent English working proficiency and fluency in French are required, along with the ability to work effectively across diverse nationalities and cultural backgrounds.

Salary & benefits:

Commensurate with experience and qualifications and in accordance with BirdLife International, Africa Division terms and conditions.

• 12% Employer pension contribution
• Medical insurance
• 22 days annual leave, increasing to 1 day per annum up to 25 days, plus bank holidays
• Christmas office closure
• Group Life Assurance
• Access to LinkedIn Learning
• Employee Assistance Programme, including access to Health Assured online health portal (webinars, nutritional advice, 4-week programmes, financial wellbeing and more)

BirdLife values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

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.