A set of four assessment instruments are used in Level 3:

1. Application (with telephone conversation)

2. Portfolio

3. Presentation

4. Panel Interview


































© P. Chadwick


Our Heroes -MPA PROS Level 2 and Assessors speak to future potential WIO-COMPAS Candidates from Kuruwitu Conservation
& Welfare Association, Kikambala Kenya, 2011.
APPENDICES

Appendix A. Bibliography

WIO-COMPAS has produced numerous documents to capture the experience and share the model for others to replicate. Below are the key documents available.

Squillante, L.J, Ricci, G., Francis, J. and L. Sisitka. 2010. Innovations in capacity building: Certification of
marine protected area professionals. Coastal Management, v38 n3 (2010 05 01): 272-290.

Squillante, L.J, Ricci, G. and J. Francis. 2010.Innovations in Capacity Building:Certification of Marine
ProtectedArea Professionals. Basins and Coastsv2. Issue 4: 36-43.

Ricci. G and J. Francis. 2008. CERTIFICATION PROGRAM NOW AVAILABLE FOR MPA MANAGERS.
MPA News Newsletter v10. No.5.

WIO-COMPAS. 2011. Western Indian Ocean Certification of Marine Protected Area Professionals. Online

Appendix B. WIO-COMPAS Code of Ethics and Leadership



CODE OF ETHICS AND LEADERSHIP


Preamble

Professionals working in marine protected area (MPA) management are engaged in a professional situation that is uniquely varied and complex. They are involved with their discipline, their colleagues, their local communities, especially those immediately abutting the protected area, their sponsors. They also engage other vested organizations ranging from their own governments, to funding agencies, to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and their projects that are working in the area, to the private sector. They are addressing the goal of protecting an area's rich marine resources, while recognizing that these resources may also be of significant importance--both historically and today--in providing food and income to the communities that surround the protected area. Working in the field of such complex involvements and sometimes competing interests--as usually is the case in marine protected areas--there may be frequent misunderstandings, conflicts, and the need to make choices among conflicting values.   These generate ethical dilemmas and demand practical leadership. It is a prime responsibility of professionals working in MPAs to anticipate these and to resolve them in a way that respects both the rights of the individuals and group stakeholders as well as the mandate of the protected area.

The Program

The Western Indian Ocean Certification of Marine Protected Area Professionals (WIO-COMPAS) Program is structured around four "E" components of Education, Experience, Examination and Ethics. Most importantly, it sets standards of performance and the levels of knowledge and applied skills and experience against which a "certified" individual is measured. WIO-COMPAS assesses the ability of individuals to apply critical thinking and decision-making to addressing the issues facing those working in MPAs--including such emerging issues as global climate change and linkages to a broader integrated coastal management context. The Program's use of standards implies a performance expectation--i.e., it is not enough to simply complete coursework. Rather, it is necessary to be able to apply the knowledge and skills at a certain level (standard) of proficiency, and to provide firm evidence of this. The Program has identified seven core areas of competence needed by individuals working at different levels within an MPA:

•   MPA Governance

•   Marine Conservation: MPAs and other approaches

•   Communication and Stakeholder Engagement

•   Human and Financial Resources Mobilization and Management

•   Management Implementation and Effectiveness

•   Biophysical and Social Environment Context

•   Leadership, Ethics and Innovation

Equally important to setting the technical and management standards by which an MPA professional is judged, the Program has established ethical rules, a call for leadership, and good practices that underpin effective MPA management. Signing a statement to commit to these rules and good practices is the final requirement to receiving certification. The following principles are deemed fundamental to such responsible, ethical pursuit.
Principles

COMMITMENT TO MPAS Core Principle
As an MPA Professional, I recognize that:

•   MPAs are an important management strategy for biodiversity conservation (including protection of endemic, rare and threatened species, restoration of natural ecosystem functioning, conservation of habitats for vulnerable life stages) and sustainable use (fisheries, recreation, tourism, education, research and aesthetic reasons).

•   MPAs are one of many effective strategies for protection of coastal and marine biodiversity as well as
contributing to the sustainable use of the coastal and marine resources.

•   There is a diversity of MPAs based on their objectives and context.

•   All MPAs must be established by law or other recognized means.

•   Management of MPAs is complex as it involves working with different stakeholders with competing interests and influences; therefore observance of the ideals and principles as specified in this Code of Ethics is essential.

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY Core Principle
As an MPA professional, I am responsible for adding value to the organizations I serve and the work I perform. I accept professional responsibility for my individual decisions and actions and serve as an advocate for the profession of MPA management by engaging in activities that enhance its credibility and value as a profession. I shall:

•   Build respect, credibility and recognition for my profession within my organization, the communities in
which I work, my government, and the private sector.

•   Assist the organizations I serve in achieving their objectives and goals.

•   Inform and educate current and future practitioners, the organizations I serve, and the general public
about principles and practices that help the profession.

•   Positively influence workplace and staff.

•   Encourage professional decision-making and responsibility.

•   Encourage social responsibility.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Core Principle
As an MPA professional, I must strive to meet the highest standards of competence and commit to strengthen our competencies on a continuous basis. I shall:

•   Expand my knowledge of marine protected area management (MPA) and its relationship to the broader
area of coastal ecosystem governance.

•   Contribute to the body of knowledge, the evolution of the profession and the growth of individuals
through on-the-job training, research and dissemination of knowledge.

•   Keep current on the latest information, tools and techniques related to my profession through completion of continuing education courses, reading of professional journals and attendance at key conferences on marine protected area management and its related issues such as global climate change, etc.

•   Ensure the use of both the physical and social sciences in shaping and implementing my work.

•   Encourage others working in marine protected area management to become certified MPA professionals.
ETHICAL LEADERSHIP

Core Principle
Marine protected area professionals are expected to exhibit individual leadership as a role model for maintaining the highest standards of ethical conduct. I shall:

•   Set the standard and serve as an example for others.
•   Earn individual respect and increase my credibility with those I serve.
•   Question individual and group actions when necessary to ensure that decisions are ethical and are
implemented in an ethical manner.
•   Seek expert guidance if in doubt about the ethical propriety of a situation.
•   Through teaching and mentoring, champion the development of others as ethical leaders in the profession
and in organizations.
FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE Core Principle
As a marine protected area professional, I am ethically responsible for promoting and fostering fairness and justice for the organizations for which I work and the clients which I serve.  I shall:

•   Create and sustain an environment that encourages all individuals to reach their fullest potential and the
organization to reach its goals.
•   Treat people with dignity, respect and compassion to foster a trusting work environment.
•   Ensure everyone has the opportunity to develop their skills and new competences.
•   Develop, administer and advocate policies and procedures that foster fair, consistent and equitable
treatment for all.
•   Regardless of personal interests, support decisions made by our organizations that are both ethical and
legal and foster achievement of the goals of the organization.
•   Act in a responsible manner and practice sound management in our work.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST Core Principle
As a marine protected area professional, I must maintain a high level of trust with my stakeholders. I must protect the interests of my stakeholders as well as my professional integrity and should not engage in activities that create actual, apparent, or potential conflicts of interest. I shall:

•   Adhere to and advocate the use of published policies of my organization.
•   Refrain from using my position for personal, material or financial gain or the appearance of such.
•   Refrain from giving or seeking preferential treatment in the human resources processes.

USE OF INFORMATION Core Principle
Marine protected area professionals consider and protect the rights of individuals, especially in the acquisition and dissemination of information while ensuring truthful communications and facilitating informed decision-making.  I shall:

•   Build trust among constituents by the open exchange of information.
•   Investigate the accuracy and source of information before using it.
•   Safeguard restricted or confidential information.

My signature below signifies commitment to abide by this ethical code of conduct


Name                                                                    Date
Appendix C. Level 1 - Marine Field Operations Competences and Range Statements

See the document Assessment Requirements for Level 1 for a detailed list of competences and their associated range statements and other guidance materials.



















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Appendix D. Level 2 - Site Management Competences and Range
Statements
See the document Assessment Requirements for Level 2 for a detailed list of competences and their associated range statements and other guidance materials.





30














































31
Appendix E. Level 3 - Strategy, Policy and Planning Competences and Range
Statements

See the document Assessment Requirements for Level 3 for a detailed list of competences and their associated range statements and other guidance materials.

LEVEL 3 COMPETENCES and their STANDARDS
(points available for each)

1. MPA Governance
(including Policy, Strategy, Legislation and Compliance)

Thorough Understanding