Senior Manager of International Policy

LOCATION

• Washington DC, preferred

DEPARTMENT

• Trash Frees Seas Program

REPORTS TO

• Director of Plastics Initiatives

HOURS

• Full Time

ABOUT OCEAN CONSERVANCY

Ocean Conservancy educates and empowers citizens to take action on behalf of the ocean. From the Arctic to the Gulf of Mexico to the halls of Congress, Ocean Conservancy brings people together to find solutions for our water planet. Informed by science, our work guides policy and engages people in protecting the ocean and its wildlife for future generations.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Manager of International Policy works primarily with the Director of the Plastics Initiatives, the Director of the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI), other Senior Staff as relevant, and the wider Trash Free Seas (TFS) team including the GGGI to develop, coordinate, and execute strategies and efforts in support of Ocean Conservancy’s work to implement a global, systemic solution to plastic pollution in aquatic environments, including lost and abandoned fishing gear. The Senior Manager of International Policy will be responsible for a varied portfolio of international work, including

• Supporting the work with multilateral platforms and stakeholders including G7, G20, APEC, ASEAN,
• Leading the portfolio of work with the Basel Convention, including the Plastic Waste Partnership;
• Managing relationships with UN bodies and conventions such as ECOSOC, UNEP, GESAMP, and Regional Seas Conventions;
• Coordinating participation in international events such as Our Ocean, UN Ocean Conference, and WEF.

The Senior Manager of International Policy also contributes to, supports and where appropriate, develops policy to advance Ocean Conservancy’s work to develop a policy framework for global marine debris solutions internationally. The Senior Manager of International Policy works with Ocean Conservancy’s Digital and Strategic Communications teams to ensure alignment and integration on matters relating to ocean plastic pollution and plastics policy; and will liaise closely with the rest of the TFS 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

• Support the Trash Free Seas Program in formulating, implementing and executing strategies that support the goals of Ocean Conservancy’s plastics initiatives, including the GGGI.
• Support the Plastics Initiative Director and the GGGI 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 international policy research, and analysis; and provide international policy review and recommendations to support plastic initiatives, and policy related to the Trash Free Seas Program.
• Work closely with Ocean Conservancy program staff to identify and create opportunities to advance specific international 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 Plastics Initiative/Trash Free Seas Program as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

• 5 + years of experience working in or with international organizations (United Nations, APEC, G7, G20 or similar) dealing with environmental policy required.
• Prior experience in living or working internationally.
• 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 diverse 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.
• Willingness to travel up to 30%, including internationally.

EDUCATION/TRAINING

• Bachelor’s Degree in the areas of International Relations, Environmental Policy, or other related fields required.
• Professional experience in international policy, environmental policy, ocean resource management, or other relevant required.
• Working proficiency in a second language, preferably Spanish.

TO APPLY

If you think you have what it takes to join Ocean Conservancy’s team, please apply here.

Ocean Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, sex, handicap, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status. Ocean Conservancy is continually seeking to diversify its staff, particularly to broaden opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy.

OCEAN CONSERVANCY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.