Country Manager Germany, Austria, Switzerland & Poland

Introduction

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) works to safeguard the world’s seafood supply by promoting the best environmental choice in seafood through the use of its logo. We celebrate, promote and add value to sustainable fisheries. Through the leadership of our partners, we help create market incentives to encourage other fisheries to improve the way they fish the oceans. Over 300 fisheries around the world, landing 12 % of the annual global harvest, are now engaged at some stage of the MSC’s independent assessment process. MSC certified and labelled seafood products are now available in around 100 countries.

Information on the role

The Marine Stewardship Council is seeking a ‘Country Manager Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Poland’ (CM DACHP) to carry strategic and operational responsibility for delivering the MSC’s overarching aims and objectives in this key region.

The CM DACHP will work closely with, report to and assist the Regional Director Europe (RDE). He/she will also collaborate with other members of MSC’s European Team and the MSC head office in London to ensure a regional approach that is consistent with MSC’s overall strategy.

The post holder will oversee the Germany-based team’s outreach and communications activities to partners in the regional supply chain, retail sector and fishing industry, as well as non-industry stakeholders such as conservation groups, scientists, government representatives and the media. The successful candidate will conduct direct outreach to strategic partners in these fields. Outreach involves building and strengthening of relationships and securing buy-in of stakeholders and potential new partners to the MSC concept and certification programme.

The CM DACHP will have line management for a team of 4 full time employees and 3 part-time employees in MSC’s Berlin office servicing the German-speaking countries, and oversight of 2 consultants based in Warsaw servicing stakeholders in Poland. In close coordination with the London-based Standards Team, the post holder and his/her team will contribute to the further development of MSC’s Fishery and Chain of Custody Standards.  

The aim of the post is to strengthen credibility of the MSC program, increase support for the programme across our broad range of interest groups and to promote the MSC brand. Ultimately, the post strives to increase the sustainable purchasing opportunities for consumers by achieving wider availability of MSC certified and labelled product in the region.

Some of the required qualifications include:

• Native German speaker and fluent in English.
• Post-graduate degree and at least five years of relevant working experience in international business, marketing, fisheries or marine conservation, natural resources or environmental management.
• Demonstrated knowledge of fisheries and resource sustainability issues, particularly as they relate to wild capture fisheries and/or the seafood industry.
• Good understanding of the role of eco-labelling.
• Proven track record of working with stakeholders from different backgrounds - preferably in the fishing and commercial sectors - with often diverging views, with the aim of winning their support.
• Proven ability to successfully manage a team.
• Excellent organisational and work planning skills, demonstrating high productivity and ability to manage competing work priorities.
• Able and willing to travel for business (Europe-wide) up to 1/3 of the time.
• Extensive experience in oral communication with a diverse range of stakeholders at differing organisational levels.
• Demonstrated excellence in written communication in German and English.
• Ability to grasp complex and intellectually challenging ideas and communicate them to people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter of interest and CV to Marnie Bammert (marnie.bammert@msc.org).

Download the detailed Job description of Country Manager Germany, Austria Switzerland & Poland - PDF document

Applications close: Monday 16 March 0900 GMT

Shortlisting and candidates advised they are selected for interview: by Wednesday 18th March

Interviews: 23rd March