Antarctic Ocean Action (AOA) Project Director

Title: Antarctic Ocean Action (AOA) Project Director

Location: Washington DC preferred, not required

Duration: This position is for a term period through December 31, 2015, with the possibility of an extension pending continued funding support.

 About ASOC

A coalition of over 30 NGOs interested in Antarctic environmental protection, Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC) represents the environmental community at Antarctic governance meetings and works to promote important Antarctic conservation goals. Our two major campaigns are creation of a network of large Marine Protected Areas (carried out through the AOA project of ASOC, formerly known as the Antarctic Ocean Alliance) and negotiation of a legally binding and environmentally sound Polar Code covering all vessels operating in the Southern Ocean. In addition to AOA and the Polar Code, ASOC campaigns include: protecting the Southern Ocean ecosystem, including krill - the base of the Antarctic food web; regulating Antarctic tourism and biological prospecting; strengthening the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary; and monitoring implementation of the Environment Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty. ASOC also monitors and comments as appropriate on all issues that impact the Antarctic, including climate change, fisheries management, and pirate fishing. ASOC employs campaigners all over the world who are experts on Antarctic environmental issues and who work closely with the countries maintaining a major presence in the Antarctic. ASOC also raises public awareness through its website, social media, media releases and outreach, and campaign advocacy.

About AOA Project

The Antarctic Ocean Alliance was established three years ago as an alliance of more than 60 leading environmental and conservation organizations, working to establish a network of designated, no-take marine reserves and marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica under the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). This will be the most comprehensive regime of its kind on the planet. With such a network in place, key Antarctic Ocean habitats and wildlife would be protected from detrimental human impacts.

AOA is governed by a Steering Committee (AOA-SC) currently consisting of representatives from The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Worldwide Fund for Nature, Greenpeace and ASOC. This position is an employee position at ASOC, but the AOA Steering Committee governs the budget and activities for the scope of work. As the Antarctic Ocean Alliance is becoming a project of ASOC, the name of the campaign may change to Antarctic Ocean Action or some other variation that maintains the integrity of the AOA brand.

AOA Project Director Position Overview

The AOA project director will report to the Executive Director, Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition for employment purposes (contracts/performance/leave/overtime) and to the Steering Committee of the AOA for the purposes of setting strategy and budget. The director will coordinate the international coalition of organizations working to establish large-scale marine reserves and MPAs in the Southern Ocean and liaise with core consultants and member group staff to ensure coordination of efforts.  Additionally, the director will ensure the efficient and effective functioning of all aspects of the AOA project operations, proactively identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing solutions. Responsibilities include strategic development of a plan to win Antarctic marine reserves and  MPAs, the management of consultants, contract development and monitoring, budgeting, recruiting for in country consultants as needed, nurturing of existing coalition partners, and cultivating new partners to present for candidacy to the Steering Committee.   Full compliance with lobbying and ethics laws is mandatory.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee and coordinate the development of a strong strategic plan to achieve the AOA project’s goal of establishing large scale MPAs and marine reserves throughout the Southern Ocean.
• Coordinate international team of campaigners by communicating regularly and hosting regular coordination meetings and calls. 
• Manage campaign consultants and their activities, in support of the development and implementation of marine reserves and MPAs in the Southern Ocean.
• Negotiate and manage all contracts with all campaign related consultants, working with ASOC’s administration team as required, with ASOC’s Executive Director providing final sign off.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with decision makers, government officials and national and international institutions, as well as relevant NGOs in the field.
  • Help in monitoring, analyzing and influencing emerging MPA proposals at CCAMLR and other relevant intergovernmental bodies.
  • Develop and maintain a broad knowledge of the science, policies, and politics of marine reserves globally, other projects, and ocean conservation issues broadly;
  • Represent the AOA project and the ASOC at meetings and events.
  • Coordinating an established global communications team composed of consultants and staff of member groups.
  • Ensure consultants and partner groups working directly on this project are in full compliance with all federal, state and local ethics and lobbying laws.
  • The Project Director will provide monthly written reports to the AOA-SC which will be reviewed on the monthly call by the AOA-SC.
  • Report on the project budget to the Steering Committee, which will have primary oversight , and which will review on a quarterly basis the budget
  • Cultivate relationships with all coalition members and inform Steering Committee of new groups or individuals who wish to join.

Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required, a graduate degree in public affairs, public policy or environmental science preferred.
• Minimum of eight years of professional experience helping shape the way the decision makers and the public perceive and respond to environmental and natural resource management issues. Specific knowledge of and experience with fisheries or penguin conservation issues is preferred.
• Track record of successfully advocating for and securing improved marine conservation measures at the national level and at multilateral environmental fora,
• Able to set short- and long-term planning goals in line with program strategy. A task-oriented style, with focus on achieving clear and ambitious goals.
• Demonstrated ability to meet multiple deadlines by maintaining a high level of organization. Able to develop and move projects forward with a high degree of independence and autonomy.
• Superior oral and written communications skills. Able to synthesize material and to focus quickly on the essence of an issue and the means to address it. Confident in presenting one’s own ideas and diplomatically persuading others as appropriate.  Ability to communicate complex ideas for a general audience.
• Strong interpersonal skills; able to develop and manage productive relationships with consultants, partners and others who contribute to the development of a project by anticipating possible outcomes. 
• Able to work productively with a wide array of different people and institutions that frequently disagree with and are in competition with one another.
• Minimum of two years of previous direct supervisory experience required including experience managing performance management process for direct reports and providing career development advice and counsel.

Compensation

We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits package.

Travel

Frequent travel for this position is anticipated, including attendance at international meetings and visiting priority countries around the world where the campaign is working to develop support for Antarctic marine reserves and MPAs.

Application process

To apply, please send a resume and a cover letter that addresses each of the selection criteria to secretariat@asoc.org.