Monitoring & Science Officer

About RRFB

Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire (RRFB) is one of the Caribbean’s leading coral restoration organizations. Since 2012, RRFB has been working with the community and the best available science to restore resilient, self-sustaining coral reef ecosystems through adaptive approaches, advancing and sharing knowledge to support reef recovery on Bonaire and beyond. As the organization continues to grow, RRFB is looking for a Monitoring and Science Officer to join the team and strengthen the data & scientific foundation underpinning its restoration work.

About the Role

The Monitoring & Science Officer is responsible for developing and maintaining RRFB’s monitoring systems, ensuring the quality and integrity of scientific data, and translating monitoring results into meaningful insights that support program improvement, scientific reporting, and organizational decision-making.

The role requires a strong analytical marine scientist who is highly skilled in data management, statistical analysis, and interpretation, and able to turn complex ecological and operational data into clear, actionable insights. Working closely with the Executive Director and Director of Operations, the Officer ensures that RRFB’s restoration activities are supported by robust monitoring methodologies, reliable data, and scientifically sound analysis.

Responsibilities

Monitoring Framework & Data Quality

• Develop and maintain monitoring frameworks, indicators, methodologies, and data collection protocols aligned with organizational strategy and program objectives.
• Develop monitoring protocols in consultation with the Director of Operations to ensure scientific rigor, operational feasibility, and effective field implementation.
• Establish and oversee systems for data collection, storage, validation, quality assurance, traceability and documentation.
• Train and guide staff on monitoring methodologies, data collection protocols, and scientific best practices.
• Continuously improve monitoring approaches to support organizational learning and adaptive management.

Data Analysis & Strategic Insight

• Analyze ecological and relevant operational data to assess program performance, outcomes, and impact.
• Translate monitoring data into actionable insights, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities to support adaptive management, operational improvement, and strategic decision-making.
• Develop dashboards, tools, and summaries to support performance tracking and reporting.
• Support the Executive Director in defining and monitoring organizational KPIs and success indicators.

Scientific Reporting & Project Support

• Produce and contribute to scientific and technical reports, publications, and other knowledge products.
• Critically review scientific literature and ensure RRFB’s monitoring and scientific work reflects current evidence and best practices.
• Provide scientific input to the development of projects, proposals, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and applied research initiatives.
• Coordinate scientific engagement with visiting researchers, students, and technical collaborators.

Scientific Collaboration & Knowledge Support

• Provide scientific expertise to support discussions with partners, funders, research institutions, and technical organizations in coordination with the Executive Director.
• Support the Executive Director in developing scientific collaborations and research partnerships and identifying opportunities for innovation and knowledge development.
• Work collaboratively across RRFB to ensure monitoring and scientific information supports operations, communications, project development, and organizational learning.

Qualifications

Education

Master’s degree in Marine Biology, Marine Ecology, Environmental Science, Conservation Science, or a closely related field.

Experience (Required)

• Minimum three (3) years of relevant experience in ecological monitoring, marine conservation, applied research, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing ecological monitoring programs and field data collection protocols.
• Strong experience managing, analyzing, and interpreting ecological or environmental datasets.
• Experience critically reviewing scientific literature and producing scientific or technical reports.
• Experience translating scientific results into clear insights and recommendations.

Experience (Preferred)

• Experience with coral reef ecosystems, coral restoration, or tropical marine ecology.
• Experience with field experiments, applied research, and/or peer-reviewed scientific publications.
• Experience working with research institutions, conservation organizations, or multidisciplinary teams.
• AAUS certified diver.

Skills

• Advanced proficiency in R, or demonstrated equivalent capability in another statistical programming environment, for data management, statistical analysis, and visualization.
• Strong understanding of statistical methods relevant to ecological monitoring.
• Strong scientific and technical writing skills.
• Ability to design scientifically robust and operationally practical monitoring methodologies.
• Certified scuba diver with experience relevant to scientific fieldwork.

Personal Competencies

• Analytical, curious, and scientifically rigorous.
• Proactive, highly organized, and able to work independently.
• Collaborative and comfortable working closely with field and operational teams.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to engage positively with staff, volunteers, students, partners, and the local community.
• Able to communicate scientific concepts clearly to both scientific and non-scientific audiences.
• Passionate about marine conservation and evidence-based coral reef restoration.

Employment Conditions

• Full-time position (40 hours per week).
• Based in Bonaire; this is an on-site position with regular field activities.
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required for community events and outreach activities.
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Public healthcare coverage through the Caribbean Netherlands social insurance system.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Start date: as soon as possible.

Application

Please submit the following materials to info@reefrenewalbonaire.org: subject line “Monitoring & Science Officer Application: [your name]”; your CV; and a motivation letter.

More information: https://www.reefrenewalbonaire.org/get-involved/join-our-team/monitoring-science-officer/