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 and co-ordinating our work on the Sustainable Seafood Coalition within our Biodiversity team in London working on fisheries and leading on the Sustainable Seafood Coalition.
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'. The SSC proposes to do this through the creation and oversight of a series of voluntary codes of conduct connected with seafood sourcing and consumption, the reduction of discards and creation of a sustainable market for unwanted species, data collection, and the harmonisation of labelling. The SSC will seek to build national and global alliances and influence changes at UK, EU and international level.
The SSC is already operational. It currently has 14 members and industry representatives, including 5 major supermarkets, several seafood brands and suppliers as well as celebrity Chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittinsgstall. The SSC will soon be expanding to the foodservice and fish feed sector to ensure a full cross-industry membership. We will also be expanding the SSC to other EU Member States.
We now need an energetic and effective person with strong facilitation and coordination capabilities to help deliver this vision of sustainable seafood.
The sustainable seafood coalition advisor role
The SSC advisor will play a key role in advancing the work of the Sustainable Seafood Coalition and supporting the biodiversity team's work to secure sustainable and ecosystems based fisheries in the EU.
The candidate will facilitate between members of the SSC (and outside) and act as a coordinator for the SSC, tasked with advancing the coalition membership to include other sectors of the seafood industry in the UK, and developing and implementing a strategy for expanding the coalition into other EU countries. Therefore the candidate must have strong communication and mediating skills, understand the confidential nature of the businesses involved and use their communication (and, if applicable, legal) skills be able to transform working group ideas into concrete proposals for voluntary codes.
Legal qualifications are desirable but not necessary.
Key responsibilities include:
* Interface with UK and other EU seafood industry businesses, Government officials, and NGO's;
* 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 development of the voluntary codes of conduct;
* Provide expert advice and guidance;
* Translate ideas from members and advisors into a workable code of conduct to be presented to the members for amendment, agreement and implementation;
* Represent the SSC externally to the media and 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
* 4+ years professional experience which you could have gained in private, public or non-profit sectors - 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 required;
* 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 - other languages desirable;
* 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 to London and Europe generally. The position is available starting immediately.
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 James Thornton, Chief Executive, ClientEarth, The Hothouse, 274 Richmond road, London E8 3QW and send it by mail to jobs@clientearth.org. Please include SSC advisor' 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 18 November 2011. Otherwise, interviews are intended to take place on the week of 5th December.
If you have any questions about the roles advertised or recruitment process, please contact Sandy Luk, Senior Lawyer, Head of Biodiversity (sluk@clientearth.org).
