Open position: Marine Director – 30×30 – Deadline 19 November 2022

Background:

The world’s oceans require sustainable management to address over-extraction; damaging practices; pollution; insensitive industrial development; and climate change.  Marine protected areas (MPAs) are an important tool for restoring and protecting ecosystem integrity and for the protection of key species.  With adequate capacity, resources and co-design with local communities and Indigenous People, MPAs and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) can be useful for reducing or abating threats to targeted species and habitats and delivering effective, equitable and measurable conservation outcomes.  The science is clear and many governments are vocal that protecting 10% of the global oceans is insufficient to protect nature, restore the health and productivity of seas and protect livelihoods and food supplies.

With global calls to protect at least 30% of the global oceans by 2030 (the 30×30 challenge),  WCS needs to ensure that MPAs and OECMs are equitable and created where needed and that they are sufficiently resourced and effectively managed.  Supporting area-based management with local partners in 26 countries across 10 regions, from Argentina to Canada, Belize to Mozambique, Papua New Guinea to Tanzania, WCS has exemplary connections to coastal communities, Indigenous People, management authorities and governments.  We also have decades of scientific knowledge and management experience. WCS is a world leader in MPA and OECM conservation and well-placed to help ensure a 30×30 initiative is successful, equitable, effective, valuable and sustainable.

Supporting this protected area work, WCS works on all elements of the MPA and OECM pipeline including: identification, design, advocacy, designation, planning, funding, and management, preferably co-management. We seek to maximise and scale the opportunities afforded by the unprecedented political and donor will that is aligned with 30×30.

Job summary:

To ensure WCS’s targets for establishing and managing MPAs and OECMs as a contribution towards the global 30×30 initiative are achieved and that WCS has sufficient resources to conduct that work.

The Marine 30×30 Director leads and oversees the implementation of a global strategy for MPAs and marine OECMs; supports the development of area-based marine conservation related activities; helps provide strategic direction; and coordinates the relevant program activities in science, conservation and policy.  Overall responsibilities include responsibility for program development, fundraising, communications and marketing within WCS’s marine 30×30 initiative.  The role will help shape potential additional staffing needs as funding is obtained, and represents WCS on relevant NGO coalitions and partnerships.  The position will be part of the Global Marine Conservation team which reports to the headquarters.

Key peers and partners within WCS with whom consistent and integrated policies, strategies and activities will be needed include: Executive Director of Marine Conservation; Director of Coral Reef Conservation; Director of Small-scale Fisheries; Marine Impact Manager; Marine Business Manager; other marine theme leads; International Policy team; Global Resources; Global Communications team; Regional and Country Directors; national marine program leads.

Responsibilities:

Program development, management, and technical guidance

• Advance the strategic development and implementation of WCS’s global area-based marine conservation work in coordination with WCS global and regional leadership, and coherent with thematic, regional and national strategies.
• Contribute to the provision of technical assistance for field programs on all aspects of MPA and OECM management including: equity and rights; measuring impact; management interventions; policy development; provision of science and financial models for sustainable management.
• Strengthen existing collaborations on equitable and effective MPA and OECMs across global Small-scale Fisheries, Coral Reefs, Sharks & Rays, Ocean Giants teams and across WCS field programs.
• Ensure adequate monitoring and evaluation using coordinated metrics for measuring 30×30 impact.
• Position WCS as a world leader in equitable and effective partnerships for area-based conservation across various sectors, including but not limited to: fisheries, industry, climate adaptation and mitigation, nature based solutions.
• Lead the development, and where appropriate, oversee work-plans, activities, and outputs to ensure timely completion of deliverables and achievement of program goals and stand-alone project grants.
• Guide, inform and coordinate area-based marine conservation elements of WCS’s International Policy team.
• Facilitate and/or manage consultancies, partnerships and relationships globally, regionally and locally in support of the MPA & OECMs program.
• Ensure that rights of coastal community partners are secured, exercised and benefited from.
• Develop the budget and manage the finances of the marine 30×30 program and specifically WCS’s 30×30 Initiative.
• Represent the 30×30 program at meetings, conferences, events, coalitions, etc.

Development and fundraising

• Working with the WCS development teams and the Executive Director – Marine Conservation, lead fundraising efforts to ensure that necessary funds exist for the development and implementation of the WCS area-based marine conservation work and related 30×30 projects and activities.
• In conjunction with the development teams and other global and regional leadership, lead the elevation of the profile of WCS activities and impacts relating to 30×30, MPAs and OECMs with funders and donors, including international and domestic public agencies, private donors, foundations and corporations.
• Ensure the preparation of and review funding proposals and related reports, including narratives and budgets, in support of the area-based conservation program and where necessary, the wider WCS marine and conservation work.
• Inform the development of WCS strategy for area-based conservation and, as required, participate in wider strategic discussions.
• Ensure that the funding received from a major challenge donor is leveraged to obtain at least the same value from other sources and to ensure the conservation deliverables for that funding are achieved.

Communications

• Represent the WCS area-based marine conservation work to external audiences.
• In close collaboration with the Marine Impact Manager, facilitate the development and develop programmatic communications with external partners, donors and the general public, regarding program research, results and successes.
• Write, edit, and design programmatic reports, outreach materials and other communications and where time permits, or there is a programmatic need, publish peer-reviewed articles.
• Facilitate and maintain coordination, collaboration and active dialogue between external and WCS global, regional and national programs.

Other

• Adhere to and promote WCS health and safety policies, especially those activities relating to area-based marine conservation.
• Be conversant with, and promote WCS policies on, diversity and inclusion, and support a happy, productive, respectful working environment in line with WCS’s Core Values.
• Support the development of self and team members through coaching, education, training and experience.

Qualification Requirements

Minimum requirements:

• BA or BSc or equivalent experience required.  Relevant higher degree preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in project or non-profit management, grant writing, budgeting and reporting desirable.
• Experience of systems and program development as well as extensive donor relations.
• Ability to work in a globally dispersed team (which is largely based outside of the NY office).
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including tact, diplomacy and political astuteness, with an ability to work with a wide variety of people from different backgrounds and cultures.
• Given the nature of WCS’s marine work, a strong science or policy background is desirable.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, including responsiveness to multiple, simultaneous projects and demands.  Ability to set and follow priorities, and to meet deadlines.
• Strong writing skills required.  Ability to produce clear and concise communications.
• Commitment to follow through and quality control.  Excellent attention to detail.
• Proactive and effective problem-solver.
• Understanding of general conservation issues desirable.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Suite, Slack, Zoom, and preferably social media platforms.
• Sense of humour is a distinct advantage.

How to apply: Interested candidates, please submit your resume and cover letter by clicking the apply button below before November 19, 2022.

WCS is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value.  EOE/AA/M/F/Vets/Disabled.