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2023-141 Associate Director, International Government Relations
ABOUT OCEAN CONSERVANCY
Ocean Conservancy works to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together with our partners, we create evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Associate Director, International Government Relations works primarily with the Senior Director of International Government Relations (and the Global Ghost Gear Initiative) and the Director of Climate Policy, other Senior Staff as relevant, and the wider IGR and Climate teams to develop, coordinate, and execute strategies and efforts in support of Ocean Conservancy’s International footprint and to develop and advocate for ocean-based climate policies and solutions.
The Associate Director will be responsible for a varied portfolio of international work with a focus on:
- Engaging with multilateral platforms and stakeholders including APEC;
- Managing and coordinating relationships with UN bodies and conventions such as ECOSOC, UNEP, IMO, FAO;
- Coordinating participation in international events such as Our Ocean, UN Ocean Conference;
- Contribute to the design of an engagement strategy with CBD, APEC and our IGR work plan in general;
- Support any other international work as required.
The Associate Director will also be responsible for a variety of pieces within the Climate Program, working closely with the Director of Climate Policy and the Assoc. Director for International Climate Policy, including but not limited to:
- Support the management of and advocacy with Friends of the Ocean and Climate parties group and Friends of the Blue COP NGO group;
- Support outreach and engagement to advance policy goals at the UNFCCC
- Prioritize outreach and engagement with Latin American countries.
The Associate Director also contributes to, supports and where appropriate develops policy to progress Ocean Conservancy’s international conservation work in support of other programmatic portfolios ranging from marine debris to shipping, clean energy, lost and abandoned fishing gear to nature-based climate solutions.
The Associate Director works with Ocean Conservancy’s Digital and Strategic Communications teams to ensure alignment and integration on matters relating to IGR and climate policy; and will liaise closely with the rest of the integrated IGR team, Climate team and other programs to help identify opportunities for collaboration on international policy ; while also scanning for potential conflicts or duplication of work across OC.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist the Senior Director for International Government Relations and the Director for Climate Policy in formulating, implementing and executing strategies that support the goals of Ocean Conservancy’s International work across a range of programmatic priorities with one of the key focus areas being Climate.
- Assist the Senior Director IGR and the Climate Policy Director with tracking projects and managing day-to-day communication with scientists, subject matter experts, and external consultants.
- Strengthen and expand relationships with stakeholders that correspond to Ocean Conservancy’s policy goals and outreach strategy.
- Conduct policy research, and analysis; and provide policy review and recommendations to support conservation initiatives, and policy related to the climate Program.
- Work closely with Ocean Conservancy program staff to identify and create opportunities to advance specific policy goals, and to develop and implement strategies and tactics to achieve effective policy outcomes.
- Work closely with the Communications Department to align external messaging with organizational, policy and programmatic objectives.
- Represent Ocean Conservancy in external meetings/events with integrity and excellence; build and maintain relationships with public agencies, funders, researchers, academics, NGOs, industry representatives, public officials, and other partners.
- Coordinate Ocean Conservancy’s cross-programmatic participation in international forums and events with key stakeholders.
- Perform other duties to advance the goals of Ocean Conservancy and the Climate Program and IGR initiatives as assigned.
REQUIRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE
- 7+ years of experience working in or with international policy stakeholders and platforms on sustainability and/or environmental policy matters.
- International living and working experience outside the United States preferred.
- Knowledge of the workings of UN agencies, multilateral bodies and policy fora and policy making processes.
- Experience working in a multi-stakeholder environment and with the development of stakeholder engagement strategies to achieve desired policy outcomes.
- Ability to manage relationships between stakeholders with often differing points of view.
- Ability to meet deadlines and to manage multiple simultaneous projects and stakeholders, to coordinate concurrent tasks from a variety of senior staff with minimal supervision.
- Strong communication skills, attention to detail and reliability.
- Ability and willingness to operate outside of “normal working hours” as required.
- Willingness to travel up to 30%, including internationally.
EDUCATION/TRAINING
- Master’s degree preferred.
- Professional experience or advanced degree in international policy, international development, environmental policy and/or ocean resource management preferred.
- Language skills other than English preferred – especially Spanish.
COMPENSATION
Ocean Conservancy is committed to equity in its pay practices and posts expected hiring ranges for each of its positions. Salary minimum is $87,756; salary midpoint is $128,956. Compensation will be commensurate with the candidate’s specialty skills, years of experience, location, and unique background. We would welcome the opportunity to connect with potential candidates whose salary requirements may be outside of the expected hiring range.
TO APPLY
If you think you’d be a great fit for the job and are interested in joining Ocean Conservancy’s team, please apply here.
COVID-19 REQUIREMENT
You will be required to provide proof of full vaccination status or submit to regular masking and testing as a condition of employment at Ocean Conservancy’s meetings, gatherings, and offices. You may request accommodation for medical or religious reasons.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Ocean Conservancy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
We encourage applicants who have a diverse level and range of relevant skills and experiences to apply. A 100% match is not required. We want to support employees’ career growth and in return, our employees help Ocean Conservancy grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.
OCEAN CONSERVANCY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
Job posted: 2023-01-17