We are looking for a full time Ocean Policy Officer who will play a key role in delivering WWF’s European sustainable seafood sourcing, (from EU member states and third countries).
S/he acts as a Brussels-based policy advocate vis-à-vis relevant European Union (EU) and European Commission (EC) institutions and helps represent WWF to external audiences and within WWF’s network. S/he helps coordinate the related activities of WWF offices in EU Member States and provides a vital liaison between WWF activities promoting sustainable and legal seafood sourcing and better governance to reduce the impacts of climate change on global fisheries entering the EU market.
Location: WWF European Policy Office in Brussels
Main responsibilities:
Project Coordination – 40 %
- Act as a coordinator and focal point in an EU funded projects with a consortium of 7 partners;
- Act as the intermediary for all communications between the partners and WWF EU offices;
- Participate to consortium meetings and subsequent reporting and implement quality procedures for the project;
- Collaborate with other members of the WWF ocean team (EPO) in liaising with the European Commission, European Parliament and the Presidencies of the Council on issues relevant to sustainable seafood sourcing and Fisheries Control regulation within the project;
- Closely liaise with WWF National Offices in Europe working with small-scale fisheries in pilot test projects with new technologies to achieve the ambitious objectives of the Farm-2-Fork strategy for fisheries, the sustainable goals of the CFP, the blue economy strategy, the just digital transition and the ambitions of the EU Green Deal;
- Ensure compliance to standards, both internal and external, for all projects and conservation activities;
- Carry out activities within budget.
Policy and Advocacy – 40%
- Develop and deliver on Horizon2020 project, including coordinating work of partners from the industry as well as academics and WWF networks;
- Develop WWF’s EU-level policy advocacy priorities and strategy vis-à-vis sustainable seafood sourcing, seafood traceability & labelling, certifications schemes and other relevant seafood market issues and topics;
- Contribute to the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) advocacy work with a focus on traceability and control issues;
- Maintain professional knowledge and keep abreast of emerging issues in the Market Advisory Council (MAC), in particular issues surrounding the implementation of seafood traceability requirements under the Control Regulation, the Common Organisation of the Markets (CMO), Farm to Fork strategy and related regulations and instruments;
- Build positive relationships, and wherever possible, alliances with key influential seafood associations in Brussels (e.g. processors and importers, retailers, chefs), driving towards common policy advocacy priorities and joint advocacy activities;
- Help represent WWF in relevant fora and with relevant stakeholders to promote sustainable seafood sourcing and seafood traceability best practices to achieve concrete gains for WWF’s marine conservation agenda.
Coordination with other WWF practices and EPO teams – 20%:
- Work in close consultation with other programme staff inside and outside EPO to identify policies and enabling conditions to achieve WWF ocean goals and the European Policy Plan such as the Farm to Fork Strategy as well as the upcoming Ocean Action Plan.
What you need:
Required qualification
- Degree or advanced technical qualifications relevant to the field of project management, fisheries management, seafood supply chain management, fisheries monitoring, control, and surveillance, and/or trade in fish products;
- At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in sustainable seafood sourcing practices, seafood supply chain management, seafood traceability, fisheries policy and/or fisheries management;
- Ability to interact with high level government and seafood industry professionals;
- Knowledge of European institutions, lobby and advocacy experience.
Required skills and competencies
- Strong coordination, networking and team building skills appropriate for a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment;
- Ability to interpret and analyse scientific and technical documents and data and apply it to WWF’s work;
- Solid and proven experience in EU project management;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, and an ability to communicate complicated messages authoritatively and clearly to different audiences including through written materials, one-to-one meetings and presentations. Other languages are an advantage;
- Proven ability to act as organizational spokesperson and interact effectively with government representatives; significant experience interacting with seafood and fishing industry;
- Experience of working on, and understanding the complexities of EU legislation;
- Identifies and aligns with the core values of the organisation: Courage, Integrity, Respect and Collaboration.
Please consult the attached job description for more information on the position or contact the head of unit, Antonia Leroy (aleroy@wwf.eu).
How to apply?
Please send a single PDF document with your updated CV and Motivation Letter to recruitments@wwf.eu by 15 January 2023 midnight.
Salary and benefits
WWF EPO offers a competitive package of pay and benefits, including pension, health care and a range of different daily and monthly allowances. Precise salary will depend on skills and experience.
WWF is an equal opportunity employer and committed to having a diverse workforce.
