Fisheries Strategy Director, Caribbean Program

The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working to make a positive impact around the world in more than 35 countries, all 50 United States, and your backyard. Founded in 1951, the mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Visit www.nature.org/aboutus  to learn more.                                                   

The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.
 

The Fisheries Strategy Director guides all aspects of TNC’s fisheries work in the Caribbean, with a focus on:

• strategic direction and priority-setting
• program coordination and technical oversight
• fundraising
• government relations / policy related to fisheries
• private sector engagement related to fisheries

This is a full-time position with anticipated employment through June 2017.
 

Sustainable fisheries is one of four priority strategies for TNC’s Caribbean Program, with a wide range of fisheries and fisheries-related activities currently underway, including, for example: (i) the Caribbean Marine Biodiversity Program (CMBP)?which focusses on marine protected areas and promoting sustainable fisheries in five countries:

• Haiti, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• the Eastern Caribbean Marine Managed Areas Network (ECMMAN) project
• the Bahamas Spiny Lobster Fisheries Improvement Project and ongoing work to develop a Caribbean-wide lobster and conch fisheries strategy
• a sustainable seafood campaign in the U.S. Virgin Islands
• various fisheries-related activities around Cabo Rojo in Puerto Rico

The Fisheries Strategy Director will build on these existing activities and develop a cohesive strategy that strengthens and expands TNC’s fisheries work across the region. Working collaboratively with a diverse team of other TNC staff in the region and in central programs, essential functions will include:

• provide strategic direction and help establish goals and priorities for TNC’s fisheries work across the Caribbean, including establishment of measureable goals, establishment of clear geographic and programmatic priorities, and formulation of high-leverage strategies / activities designed to achieve tangible and lasting conservation impacts at scale;
• provide program coordination, integration and technical oversight for fisheries work across the region, including activities at the site, seascape, national, and regional levels;
• provide program integration and alignment with TNC’s global and North America fisheries strategies;
• secure funding from private and public sources?involving close collaboration with philanthropy and external affairs teams?to ensure the fisheries program is properly resourced and financially sustainable;
• advance government relations / policy agenda around sustainable fisheries, particularly at the regional level as well as national level; serve as a technical specialist with Caribbean Governments, public donors, and multilateral agencies when technical fisheries expertise is required;
• develop partnerships with the private sector, including work with companies across the value chain (e.g. capture fisheries companies, seafood buyers, processors and distributors, restaurants, and hotels); and
• establish the Conservancy as a major regional actor on fisheries issues.

• Geographic scope covers the entire Insular Caribbean region, with likely links to Belize in the TNC LAR region.                                                                                                                                                                
• Responsibilities span all aspects of the fisheries program, working in close collaboration with various units within the Caribbean Program (e.g. country / territory programs, philanthropy, external affairs, marketing, operations) and other TNC units (e.g. Global Marine Team, North America Region).
• May be responsible for supervising staff, including at multiple locations.
• Develops budgets and establishes and maintains optimal performance standards within budget.
• Secures funding to cover core operations and other costs of Fisheries Program, involving such responsibilities as: writing grant proposals, grant reports, and other funding-related documents; holding meetings with public and private funders; participating in internal fundraising strategy discussions with philanthropy and external affairs staff.
• Participates in senior management meetings and discussions, to help coordinate fisheries work with other programs within the Caribbean Program and other TNC units, and to align fisheries work with the Caribbean Program’s overall strategy and goals.
• Frequently makes independently strategic decisions based on analysis, ambiguous information and judgment.
• Negotiates complex agreements as needed.                                                                                             

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT     

• May need to work occasionally in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.  
• Frequent international travel, along with evening and weekend hours as needed.  

• BA/BS degree in fisheries or related discipline and at least 7 years of experience in marine / fisheries conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Education, training, and/or experience with current marine conservation and fisheries issues and trends in the Caribbean region.
• Fundraising experience and track record of success, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation.
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.  
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
• Experience developing partnerships (e.g. NGOs, community, government, private sector).                                       
• Experience as a leader.
• Experience negotiating.
• Experience communicating clearly and effectively via written, spoken, and graphical means in English.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in fisheries or related discipline and at least 7 years of experience in marine / fisheries conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) certified diver, or willingness to achieve certification within a short period of time.
• In-depth understanding of broader socio-economic and environmental context of the region.
• Broad network of fisheries-related contacts, particularly in the Caribbean region and in main markets for seafood products coming from the Caribbean.
• Track record of success working at the site level (with NGOs, fishers and fisher cooperatives), national level (with government fisheries agencies), and regional level (with regional fisheries organizations).
• Good understanding of fisheries policy issues and seafood supply chains preferred.
• Up-to-date knowledge of specific fishing gear, fishing practices, and technical tools of particular relevance in the Caribbean context, along with gender issues related to fisheries.
• Proficiency, and ideally fluency, in other relevant languages (particularly Spanish and French).
• Politically savvy, with demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans.
• Experience working in a large, matrix-based organization.

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with the Conservancy's Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." Please see further details in the Auto Safety Program document available at www.nature.org/careers.

Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.
 

To apply to position number 43170, submit resume and cover letter as one document. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 31, 2015.

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The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of men and women of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy’s background screening process.