The Pacific Ocean Policy Advisor plays a key role in the development and implementation of one or more strategies to achieve The Nature Conservancy’s goals on Ocean Governance and Biodiversity Conservation through interaction with governments, multilateral agencies, the corporate sector, and other stakeholder groups. TNC’s goals in the region are to: work with key fishing countries to support the adoption and implementation of the Port State Measures Agreement to tackle illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; participate in Pacific Island forums including the Pacific Islands Roundtable for Nature Conservation (PIRT) to support Pacific Island Countries in conserving their biodiversity through implementation of the Framework for Nature Conservation and Protected Areas in the Pacific Islands Region 2014-2020; and to assist Pacific Island Countries to tap public funding sources to respond to the challenge of climate change in coastal areas. S/He will work to secure adoption of new High Seas Treaty that enables biodiversity conservation; and strengthen high seas fisheries management through the regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs).
The Pacific Ocean Policy Advisor will report to the Oceans Governance Director for the Global Ocean program and work closely with TNC’s Pacific Division Director in one of our Pacific Region offices: FSM (Pohnpei), Palau (Koror), the Indo Paciific Resource Ctr. Australia (Brisbane), Guam, PNG (Manus), or Solomon Islands (Honiara), dependending on qualified candidate's location.
This is a 3-year limited term position with extension based on the program success.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Pacific Ocean Policy Advisor works with an interdisciplinary team to serve as a strategic advisor on complex issues pre-identified by the Global Ocean Team (GOT) and Pacific Division. S/he works closely with TNC’s Science, Conservation and External Relations staff from both the Global Ocean and Pacific Operating Units to further the conservation goals and strategy.
S/he directly reports to the Ocean Governance Director of the GOT with a strong connection (dotted line) to the Director of the Pacific Division Business Unit.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Work with the Global Ocean Governance and Pacific Division Directors, to develop and implement a pragmatic work plan to advance the GOT and Pacific Division’s shared goals and capitalize on TNC’s unique strengths and approaches to ocean policy and biodiversity conservation. This includes prioritization of topics that advance TNC’s ocean governance agenda in the Pacific region including engagement in the Pacific Islands Roundtable for Nature Conservation (PIRT) and RFMOs.
- Work with locally-based teams to develop, maintain and advance policy strategies, and identify and develop relationships with key policy, industry, and other stakeholders to advance this agenda.
- Work with locally-based teams to prepare stakeholder maps and manage relationships.
- Act on behalf of the Ocean Governance Director and Pacific Division Director in key policy and other stakeholder’s meetings.
- Work with the Ocean Governance Director and coordinate with Pacific staff to identify and apply for funding opportunities to support the ocean governance agenda, including supporting TNC’s Green Climate Fund accreditation process.
- Monitor progress of projects to determine when the projects are at risk of not achieving political support and, when needed, work with the Director and other staff to take appropriate steps to either fix the problem in ways that keep projects on course, or revise project outcomes as appropriate.
- Maintain a broad understanding of the ocean governance work in the Pacific at individual project sites including tactics, goals and strategies in order to be able to integrate that information into political opportunities.
- Ensure Pacific Ocean Policy/Governance work is coordinated and aligned with the policy strategy.
- Build an extensive network and establish, foster and manage cooperative working relationships with a broad cross section of stakeholders as necessary to achieve the goals.
- Develop an understanding of TNC’s values and culture and ensure that the work is consistent with those.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in political science, environmental policy, management or other relevant field and at least 6 years of government relations, non-profit or corporate sector experience, or equivalent combination education/experience.
- Fluency in English (written and spoken).
- Analytical and project management experience. Demonstrated experience in successfully developing and implementing complex projects in an unstructured environment.
- Supervisory experience.
- Experience developing, directing and managing multiple projects and implementing strategic program goals.
- Strong communication and presentation skills.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Familiarity and knowledge related to business, governmental, and/or environmental policy and practices pertaining to oceans.
- Multi-lingual skills appreciated, especially in languages spoken in Pacific Island countries where the Conservancy works (Federated States of Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, Solomon Islands, US Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, US Territory of Guam).
- Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience preferred.
- Master’s degree appreciated.
- Experience presenting to and communicating with management-level individuals within the corporate sector.
- Excellent team player with experience working in multi-disciplinary groups, using influence and interpersonal skills, listening, diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships with governments, corporations, partners, donors, volunteers, and all levels of staff.
- Outstanding written and oral communication, negotiating and organizational skills.