Levels of Certification
There are three levels of certification—each tailored to individuals with different education, years and types of experience in MPAs. These range from Level 1, which is designed for those with the least experience, to Level 3—designed for the most advanced.
Level 1
Level 1 is designed for the professional who is performing practical functions and responsibilities for the day-to-day management of an MPA, and who has basic administrative responsibilities.
Ideal candidate: equivalent of an MPA Ranger or Officer.
Level 2
Level 2 is designed for the professional who is performing management, supervisory and administrative functions and responsibilities.
Ideal candidate: someone working as an MPA Manager, Assistant Manger, Site Manager, Warden or Section Ranger.
Level 3
Level 3 is designed for a professional performing high-level management, strategy and policy development, and administrative functions and responsibilities.
Ideal candidate: MPA Manager, Conservation Director, Head of Division or Director.
See below for more details on the ideal candidates.
Level 1
Level 1 is designed for the professional who is performing practical functions and responsibilities for the day-to-day management of an MPA, and who has basic administrative responsibilities.
Ideal candidate: equivalent of an MPA Ranger or Officer.
Examples of experience include:
- Providing input into development of management plans and strategies
- Active involvement in compliance and enforcement activities; practical habitat management/conservation; and monitoring
- Budgeting of small practical tasks
- Direct interaction/communication with residents, resource users and visitors
- Supervising and training staff and volunteers
Level 2
Level 2 is designed for the professional who is performing management, supervisory and administrative functions and responsibilities.
Ideal candidate: someone working as an MPA Manager, Assistant Manger, Site Manager, Warden or Section Ranger.
Examples of experience include:
- Developing an MPA management plan
- Supervising implementation of that plan
- Providing input to organizational policy
- Active involvement in management planning and review supervision of practical management/conservation activities; monitoring and evaluation; negotiations with partners and contractors etc
- Fundraising and income generation from local/national sources; development and management of detailed budgets
- Direct interaction/communication with local communities, resource users and others
- Training/mentoring staff
- Producing plans, reports, media articles, proposals
Level 3
Level 3 is designed for a professional performing high-level management, strategy and policy development, and administrative functions and responsibilities.
Ideal candidate: MPA Manager, Conservation Director, Head of Division or Director.
Examples of responsibilities include:
- Developing organizational strategies and policies
- Supporting the development of management plans consistent with policies
- Providing input to development of national (and international) MPA policy
- Active involvement in policy development and review; supervising development of MPA management plan; and negotiating with partners
- Fundraising from national/international sources; developing and managing organizational level budgets
- Direct interaction/communication with national and international partners including government departments and international NGOs
- Producing media articles/academic papers, and reports for partners and funding agencies
