The Marine Program Lead oversees the development, implementation and management of TNC Canada’s marine conservation work in British Columbia. They have topic expertise and leadership experience in coastal and ocean management including current trends and methods for achieving sustainable fisheries, implementation of marine spatial plans and marine protected area networks. The Program Lead has demonstrated success building collaborations to tackle diverse and complex problems that are critical to the long-term health of the marine environment. They bring their expertise and experience to these issues and can leverage the Conservancy’s expertise on marine planning, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable fisheries to improve management of the Canada’s Pacific.
The Marine Program Lead provides strategic and technical leadership to identify and determine the programmatic direction of the Conservancy for sustainable ocean management in British Columbia. This position requires creating collaborative dialogues and solutions built upon strong and effective partnerships with First Nation communities and governments, provincial and federal government ministries, other NGOs, plus members of the fishing sector, including commercial fisheries, sportfishing, and recreational fisheries. The role also requires understanding and knowledge about fisheries management and the fishing sector in British Columbia, as well as familiarity with global trends in marine conservation, marine protected area network design, fisheries science and monitoring approaches, and the ability to convey these ideas and information to diverse audiences. An essential function of this position is to create and implement collaborative, multi-sector solutions that advance sustainable ocean management; thus, demonstrated skills and success in fisheries and planning is essential.
TNC Canada’s marine program builds upon the Nature Conservancy’s success in the Great Bear region supporting the leadership and authority of Indigenous communities. This position will continue these long-term partnerships and develop new successful collaborations. In the near term, this position will manage TNC Canada’s support to the Marine Plan Partnership (MaPP) and Marine Protected Area Technical Team (MPATT).
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Design, obtain internal approvals for, and implement a Marine Conservation Program with a focus on sustainable ocean management through marine protection, sustainable fisheries, co-management, and compatible uses of the ocean. Ensure program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
- Gain cooperation from outside parties to accomplish program goals.
- Develop an annual budget and manage all spending, including contracts and grants, within the budget.
- Collaborate with: other Conservancy staff working in coastal British Columbia and across Canada in programs such as Philanthropy, Strategic Partnerships, Indigenous Stewardship, economic development and government relations.
- Collaborate with the Global Ocean Team’s and North America Region’s marine spatial planning and fisheries programs.
- Assist TNC Canada’s fundraising team by developing materials and reviewing donor communications as well as assisting fundraisers in meetings with prospects and donors
- Under minimal supervision, makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Experience with current trends, issues, and science underpinning oceans and fisheries management in Canada’s Pacific
- Experience explanining technical concepts and information to both technical and non-technical audiences
- Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in writing and verbally.
- Experience and demonstrated success building collaborations of diverse interests
- Experience with communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means in English.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree in marine ecology, fisheries or an ocean related field plus 8 years of experience in ocean conservation and management in Canada or West Coast United States.
- Success partnering with Indigenous governments and communities in a manner that strengthens their leadership and capacity in oceans and achieves conservation outcomes.
- Experience working directly with the commercial or sport fishing sectors (including aquaculture), with an understanding of the economic, social and political drivers, as well as existing and historic challenges
- Experience in the development of financial incentives and agreements that can create innovative options for ocean management
- Experience negotiating complex agreements with government and industry.
- Knowledge of Canada’s Oceans Act and fisheries legislation plus policy and jurisdictional issues associated with managing Canada’s Pacific coast.
- Knowledge of geographic response plans associated with shipping and transportation.