Sustainable Seafood Coalition Adviser – London

Sustainable Seafood Coalition Adviser – London

ClientEarth is a non-profit environmental law, science and policy organisation with offices in London, Brussels, and Warsaw. We provide dedicated public-interest legal capacity, working with environmental NGOs and other stakeholders and acting as legal advocates for environmental objectives. We work at a policy and legislative level to lobby for strong laws and policies that protect the environment, and we pursue litigation that supports our strategic objectives. Our work is based on the development and execution of clear strategies and productive partnerships to ensure our actions to protect the human right to a clean and healthy environment have maximum impact.

We have an exciting and challenging opportunity for a role facilitating our work on the Sustainable Seafood Coalition within our Biodiversity team in London.

Project Description: Sustainable Seafood Coalition

ClientEarth has created a partnership of seafood industry stakeholders called the ‘Sustainable Seafood Coalition’ (SSC). The SSC seeks to ensure that ‘all fish and seafood sold in the UK is from sustainable sources’. We intend to achieve this through the creation and oversight of voluntary codes of conduct connected with seafood sourcing and consumption and the harmonisation of labelling, with scope for further codes on related issues. The SSC also seeks to build national and global alliances and influence changes at UK, EU and international level.

The SSC has 27 members and industry representatives, including major supermarkets, several seafood brands and suppliers and the food service sector.

The Sustainable Seafood Coalition adviser role

We need an energetic and effective person with strong facilitation and coordination capabilities to help deliver this vision of sustainable seafood. The SSC adviser will play a key role in advancing the work of the SSC and supporting the biodiversity team’s work to secure sustainable and ecosystem based fisheries in the EU. This is a short term role to August 2014. There is a strong possibility for extension after this time depending on funding renewal and performance.

The candidate will facilitate between members of the SSC (and outside) and will be tasked with helping finalise the two codes of conduct and facilitate their implementation. Therefore the candidate must have strong communication and mediating skills, understand the confidential nature of the businesses involved and use these to transform working group ideas into concrete outcomes. Legal qualifications are desirable but not necessary.

Key responsibilities may include:

• Interface with UK and other seafood businesses, Government officials, and NGOs;
• Develop creative strategies to advance the SSC, supported by sound technical expertise and analysis;
• Organise and facilitate working group and member’s meetings that result in useful outcomes for the finalisation of the voluntary codes of conduct;
• Provide expert advice and guidance;
• Translate ideas from members and advisors to be presented to the members for amendment, agreement and implementation;
• Represent the SSC externally at relevant meetings with government officials in the UK and EU;
• Develop funding proposals to progress the work of the SSC;
• Monitor and report on the progress of campaign activities;
• Support and contribute to the activities of colleagues within the Biodiversity programme, particularly by providing analysis, advocacy and contributing to developing strategy.

Qualifications/experience required:

You’ll need to demonstrate the skills, qualifications and experience to deliver the vision of the SSC and we will look for the following qualifications and experience:

• A good degree, preferably to Masters level and/or a law degree
• 2+ years professional experience, which you have gained ideally in the seafood/food and drink business within retail/supply/foodservice, or fisheries or aquaculture industry. You may also have gained relevant experience in other areas such as law, policy, marketing, advocacy or campaigns
• Fisheries and aquaculture science background helpful but not essential;
• For candidates with a legal background: knowledge in one or more of the following areas: EU law and institutions, fisheries/marine law, environmental law; commercial law;
• Fluent in English; 
• Ability to travel, as necessary, to European cities.

Skills:

• Strong people, facilitation and mediating skills;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including proven ability to explain complex issues in lay language and ability to modify language, content, and style to address the needs of different audiences;
• Competent at identifying and resolving issues, and capitalising on opportunities; 
• Ability to facilitate high-level seminars/meetings;
• Strong research, analytical, and advocacy skills and an interest in performing rigorous analysis in support of impactful work;
• Ability to work with colleagues and partners of varied backgrounds and experience in a fast-paced work environment;
• Confidence working at a high level with industry stakeholders, NGOs and Government bodies;
• Excellent judgment, flexibility, humour, diplomacy, and optimism;
• Entrepreneurial spirit and ability to work confidently with limited supervision;
• Team player and strong interpersonal skills;
• Ability to grasp quickly new and complex concepts and adapt to new work strategies accordingly;
• Ability to balance priorities and co-ordinate work effectively with colleagues;
• Energetic and dedicated to working for the environment and fisheries.

The position will be based in London, with travel in London and the UK. The position is available to start on 1 April for a duration of a minimum of 4, possibly 6 months.

To apply

Please send us a CV and a cover letter, explaining your interest in joining ClientEarth and the contribution you believe you could make to the organisation. Please address your application to Katie Miller, SSC Coordinator, ClientEarth, The Hothouse, 274 Richmond road, London E8 3QW or send it by mail to jobs@clientearth.org. Please include ‘SSC adviser’ in the email subject line, and identify the documents you are sending by including ‘[your name cover letter’ and ‘[your name] CV’ in the file name.

Recruitment is open now and you should send your application as soon as possible. Applications are scheduled to close on 2 March 2014. Interviews are intended to take place on the week of 10 March.

If you have any questions about the roles advertised or recruitment process, please contact Patricia Del Rio (pdelrio@clientearth.org).