Remote International Policy Officer, Regional Fisheries Management Organizations

Summary

Join a dynamic team at Global Fishing Watch as International Policy Officer - RFMOs to advance ocean governance through transparency. Prepare for and attend RFMO meetings, advocate for policy changes, conduct bilateral meetings with member countries, and foster strong relationships with key stakeholders.

Requirements

• Education: Advanced degree in International Relations, Environmental Policy, Marine Science, Law, or a related field
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in international fisheries management, policy advocacy, or related fields. Experience working with RFMOs (especially WCPFC and IATTC) is highly desirable
• Skills and Knowledge
• Strong understanding of global fisheries management issues and RFMO processes
• Sound knowledge of marine conservation policies and international institutions to protect marine ecosystems and resources
• Capacity to engage in public affairs and navigate political environments
• Capacity to build and maintain strong networks and relationships
• Flexible task management with the ability to balance diverging demands and interests, work independently, and take on additional responsibilities when required
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and manage a heavy workload, setting realistic deadlines, and maintaining a flexible and positive approach to problem solving
• Impactful communication skills, including excellent written and verbal communication in English, and the ability to communicate complicated messages clearly to different audiences
• Strategic and analytical thinking, with excellent research skills and the ability to present extensive technical information in a simplified form
• Ability to compile ideas into concise proposals and verify own conclusions

Responsibilities

• Prepare for and attend RFMO meetings (for up to five RFMOs), ensuring GFW’s positions and objectives are effectively communicated
• Develop and submit policy proposals and position papers to influence RFMO decision-making processes
• Monitor and report on RFMO activities, decisions, and outcomes relevant to GFW’s mission
• Continuously monitor new developments, research, and regulatory changes in relevant fields to ensure policy recommendations remain current, adaptive, and evidence-driven
• Develop policy positions grounded in evidence, scientific research, and best practices
• Advocate for the adoption of policies that promote sustainable fisheries management and combat IUU fishing within RFMOs
• Work collaboratively with key stakeholders, including government agencies, academic institutions, and subject matter experts, to gather relevant input and refine and validate policy recommendations
• Track global and regional policy developments, assessing their impact on GFW’s objectives
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with RFMO member countries, secretariats, and other key stakeholders
• Conduct bilateral meetings with country representatives to discuss and negotiate policy positions
• Represent GFW at international conferences, workshops, and other relevant events
• Contribute to the development and implementation of GFW’s 2030 strategy
• Identify opportunities for GFW to engage in new or existing RFMOs
• Provide strategic insights and recommendations to the Director of International Policy and senior leadership team
• Ensure the international policy team’s work within RFMO’s is communicated and disseminated internally
• Draft detailed reports and briefings on RFMO meetings and other relevant activities
• Communicate complex policy issues and RFMO developments to diverse audiences, including the media, public, and GFW partners
• Collaborate with GFW’s communications team to promote GFW’s policy positions and achievements
• Work closely with other GFW teams, including Applied Research, Product, and Global Programs, to align policy initiatives with organizational goals and leverage internal expertise
• Support fundraising efforts by contributing to grant proposals and reports for funders, as well as providing input to the Executive team
• Assist other International Policy initiatives as required

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in another language, particularly French, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, or Spanish, is preferred
• Sound knowledge of legislative processes and policy formulation