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National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Sylvia Earle and other distinguished scientists and people, including film stars Leonardo Di Caprio and Chevy Chase, are attending a conference aboard the National Geographic ship, Endeavour, sailing through the Galapagos Islands.

Cutting a shark's fin © Stop Shark Finning

Called Mission Blue, the conference hopes to ignite public support for a global network of marine protected areas, such as the Galapagos Marine Reserve, to save and restore the ocean, the blue heart of the planet. When the Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR) was established in 1998, it was designated a World Heritage Site

GCT's chief executive, Toni Darton said: "I'm delighted National Geographic chose Galapagos for the location of Mission Blue. The Galapagos Marine Reserve is one of the largest in the world and a World Heritage Site in its own right. I hope the conference will bring additional protection for the unique species living there and add to the support for our Shark Campaign, which aims to address the threats facing these top predators."

Please click here for more information on GCT's Shark Campaign.

GCT is looking for a Senior Fundraising Manager to help the Trust raise more funds to save Galapagos. The full job description follows:

Senior Fundraising Manager
Salary package circa £35.000
Central London based with some overseas travel

GCT is a well organised charity that punches above its weight. There is a small team of committed staff and respected journalist and broadcaster Andrew Marr is GCT's President. To add further support there is a network of volunteers, actively promoting the Trust's work.

The Trustees and staff have devised an ambitious plan to continue the growth in GCT's income and increase awareness of our work. A new post of Senior Fundraising Manager (see Job Description below) has been created to strengthen the fundraising function and deputise for the Chief Executive.

To succeed, you will have:

• A proven ability to work effectively building sustainable relationships with high profile volunteers and advocates for GCT.
• A demonstrable track record of success in securing donations over £5,000
• Excellent influencing and communication skills at all levels
• Clear strategic thinking ability and business acumen.

If you want to be part of our vibrant, growing organisation please click here for an application pack.  For more information please call Olga Johnson on + 00 44 (0) 20 7520 2210.

Completed applications should be received by 21 April 2010.

JOB DESCRIPTION: SENIOR FUNDRAISING MANAGER 

Place of work:   GCT Offices, central London
Hours of work:   9am to 5pm Monday to Friday
Reports to:         Chief Executive
Line Manages:   No direct reports; deputises for CEO

Scope and general purpose of the job:
To work with the Chief Executive and Events and Fundraising Manager to increase income to GCT, with a particular focus on major donors, and act as Deputy to the Chief Executive.

MAIN DUTIES.

Fundraising

• Work with the CEO and Events and Fundraising Manager to develop and implement a major donor strategy for GCT to secure increased levels of donations above £5,000
• Develop key performance indicators and other targets that reflect the overall income generation strategy and monitor performance monthly
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative donor prospect research on existing GCT  stakeholders and into new and potential supporters to identify potential major donors
• Engage and solicit potential prospects and targets, keeping the Chief Executive informed and involved as appropriate. Manage donor relationships to ensure they are kept informed and enthused
• With the CEO and Events and Fundraising Manager, identify the gaps of support for GCT from sectors of business and philanthropic sources, and help to devise innovative strategies on how to address these gaps
• Develop proposals, manage appeals and campaigns aimed at specific individuals and donors
• Ensure that GCT's database is fully utilised for effective donor management and as an appropriate resource for developing all income streams
• Develop and manage GCT's legacy programme
• Ensure that the GCT website is regularly updated providing an effective communications and fundraising medium to current and prospective donors
• Work with Trustees and other key volunteer supporters of the Trust to harness their efforts on behalf of agreed fundraising objectives
• Engage with relevant professional development / fundraising forums and networks to build industry knowledge as well as raise the GCT's  profile within the philanthropic community

Strategic

• Deputise for the CEO in all matters in her absence and as otherwise agreed
• Work with the CEO to plan and implement the strategic direction for the charity
• Support the CEO in keeping the Board appraised of GCT's performance. Provide the CEO with regular and appropriate reports on GCT's progress towards achieving and implementing agreed strategic income generation targets and budgets to be presented at GCT Board meeting

External relationships

• Manage relations with GCT's Ambassadors and Honorary Galapagos Ambassadors and other key partners as agreed
• In the absence of the CEO and as otherwise agreed, represent and promote GCT to the voluntary sector, partner organisations and the media, as appropriate

General

• Be aware of individual responsibility for health and safety of self and others in the workplace and to adhere to GCT's health and safety policies and procedures
• Portray the charity in a positive light at all times
• Undertake any other duties which may be required from time to time
• Be willing to work outside normal working hours - including attending or helping at evening or weekend events and overseas travel - if required

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• Demonstrable track record of success in securing  donations over £5,000 from wealthy individuals over a sustained period
• Sufficient gravitas and credibility to win the confidence of existing donors, GCT members, partners and Trustees
• Clear strategic thinker approach, able to work closely with colleagues on developing and executing long term sustainable donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies
• Proven ability to work effectively and build sustainable relationships with high profile volunteers and advocates for GCT
• Creative ability to secure maximum benefit from the GCT website and its potential for increasing income generation from digital media
• Proven knowledge and experience of working with databases
• Innovative approach that can support the Chief Executive in devising and implementing strategies for long term philanthropic support for GCT

Desirable

• Senior management team experience
• Experience of managing staff
• Experience in developing legacy programmes
• Ability to speak Spanish

The social issues facing Galapagos were a major factor in UNESCO's decision to place Galapagos on the list of World Heritage in Danger in 2007 where it remains today. That is why these are one of the key areas identified in GCT's 15 Steps to Help Save Galapagos in late March 2010.

From 30 March to 1 April the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) received a visit from Edouard Matoko, the UNESCO representative to Ecuador and the Andean countries. He was accompanied by a team of specialists for a series of meetings with CDF's Executive Director, Gabriel Lopez, and the Foundation's executive and technical staff.

The main purpose of the visit was to prepare a cooperation plan and establish inter-institutional agreements for collaboration in the areas of education, science, culture, communication, and information for a broad and comprehensive overview of the current situation in Galapagos, in keeping with the national policies set out by the Government of Ecuador.

During the visit, UNESCO officers were briefed on the various programmes being conducted by CDF in the archipelago and its joint operations with the Galapagos National Park (GNP), the Foundation's main strategic partner in island conservation.

The meetings also furthered the information exchange necessary to coordinate joint projects on behalf of sustainable development in Galapagos.

Many of the challenges the 15 Steps to Help Save Galapagos seek address are not unique to Galapagos GCT has helped fund a Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) international workshop on Island Sustainability in a Globalized World, held from 22 March to 26 March at CDF's offices in Galapagos.

The event brought together international experts from islands in the South Pacific, the Caribbean and Australia, and members of local and national institutions, NGOs and special guests to exchange experiences on island-community management and sustainable development issues.

According to GCT chief executive, Toni Darton:  "We were delighted to support this workshop because we expect it to make a valuable contribution to the international sharing of knowledge about island sustainabilty. We recognise that there is no quick fix to saving Galapagos. It requires a holistic approach and that is why our 15th Anniversary Appeal focuses on 15 Steps to Help Save Galapagos. The workshop is a great example of what working together can achieve in tackling current challenges whilst securing longer term solutions."

During the opening ceremony of the week-long seminar, CDF's executive director, Dr J Gabriel Lopez, highlighted the importance of this meeting where "throughout this week, experts and workshop participants will be developing a practical conceptual framework regarding sustainability priorities to not only address the problems afflicting Galapagos, but also debate possible solutions in the search for the balance of good living with biodiversity and ecosystem conservation."

The following main topics were discussed in the seminar:

1. Analysis of island societies and/or the vulnerability of ecosystems in a globalized     world,with special attention to the concepts of geodiversity and/or geographical opening.
2. The meaning of sustainability in island societies.
3. Indicators of human impacts arising from globalization processes.
4. The main areas of research to identify priority measures for achieving sustainability in island societies.

This is the first of a series of workshops to be held by CDF in 2010 and 2011 to address specific issues such as tourism, energy and transportation, waste management, water management and climate change, among other matters relating to island conservation and sustainable development.

The work to help save the Floreana mockingbird, Darwin's inspiration, featured in the first episode of BBC 2's documentary programme, Museum of Life.

The Floreana mockingbird is the flagship of Project Floreana, a five year plan to save this rare species and restore Floreana, its native island. Project Floreana is a key element of GCT's 15 Steps to Help Save Galapagos. In addition to supporting the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) in Galapagos for this work, GCT has awarded a grant of £16,470 to the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust to help fund a field worker jointly managed by CDF in Galapagos.

GCT's chief executive, Toni Darton, said: "The Critically Endangered Floreana mockingbird  Mimus trifasciatus helped inspire Darwin to develop his theory of natural selection. This iconic bird now only exists on two small offshore islands.  A recent population estimate gives a total of approximately 470 birds. This is why this work is of the upmost importance and we are delighted to be working with both DWCT and CDFon this project."

The reintroduction of the mockingbird forms part of Project Floreana, a new multidisciplinary restoration project in Galapagos. This remains one of GCT's flagship projects and we were delighted to raise over £150,000 towards this in its first year. Project Floreana is uniquely different from previous large scale conservation efforts in Galapagos.  It represents the first time that such a project will be carried out on an inhabited island, albeit with a small population of 120.

Most importantly, the plan requires integrating the human population into conservation actions. The Floreana inhabitants are the guardians of the island, and any restoration programme needs to proceed in step with the inhabitants´ wishes. GCT is also funding various strands to help local people understand and get involved with the conservation needs of Floreana.