World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a Senior Program Officer, Oceans Program

Major Function

The Senior Program Officer is a key member of several teams and has a role as thought leader and project manager for WWF work on fisheries policy, fisheries governance, and illegal fishing. The Senior Program Officer will be responsible for developing and coordinating responsible fisheries governance initiatives with multiple partners and will advocate and communicate the nature and results of our work to governments, partner organizations, and the public.

• Assist or manage a portfolio of fisheries governance projects for WWF’s US Oceans Team, which are aimed at influencing policy improvements for legal and responsible sourcing, to strengthen the US Seafood Import and Monitory Program, to establish and implement traceability in supply chains, and combat IUU fishing both in the US and globally.
• Provide technical information, research, and review for US government proposals aimed at preventing the importation of IUU products into the US. Provide comments to US decision-makers on IUU fishing, trade in marine species, and fisheries management and governance.
• Conduct outreach to other US decision-makers, NGOs, or corporate partners to provide technical research and guidance in areas including seafood legality, sourcing policies, chain-of-custody certification, supply chain management, supplier engagement and transparency.
• Coordinate and provide technical assistance on marine species conservation with other WWF initiatives and develop strong inter-organizational partnerships on IUU fishing and marine species conservation. Provide technical support, including original research, on a range of topics, including trade, technology, and other relevant subjects pertinent to IUU fishing and fisheries governance projects within the Oceans team portfolios.
• Interact and manage consultants, including technical and field-based experts, to ensure project deliverables are produced according to requirements and deadlines.
• Represent WWF-US at meetings, external workshops and conferences on IUU fishing issues of relevance to the WWF-US Oceans teams and WWF Network. Collaborate and coordinate with the Food and Freshwater, Wildlife, and Private Sector Engagement teams, where needed, to ensure alignment and leverage corporate collaborations for maximum impact.
• Coordinate with other US Oceans teams, as needed, to ensure projects are aligned.
• Identify and track emerging conservation, development and political issues related to traceability, seafood supply chain management and IUU fishing; disseminate this information within WWF and use this information to adapt WWF’s conservation approach to emerging opportunities.
• Identify fundraising needs and opportunities, develop proposals, engage with and report to donors.
• Performs other duties as needed.

• MUST have experience in ocean policy OR have a oceans/marine background and experince with how policy changes are made.
• A minimum of 6 years’ experience in marine fisheries policy and natural resources management or closely related fields is required.
• A Master’s degree in Environmental Studies, Marine Policy, or a closely related field is STRONGLY preferred.
• Experience with seafood markets and commodity chains, import controls, traceability, and enforcement needs are strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of the Seafood Import Monitoring Program and other relevant US programs, such as the Customs and Border Patrol’s program to address forced labor.
• Excellent research, writing, and communication skills.
• Administrative and management skills.
• Strong interpersonal/cross-cultural/diplomatic skills.
• Proven fundraising ability and a track record working with key donor institutions.
• Language skills are a plus but not required.
• Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values:
  • COURAGE – We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where it’s needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home.
  • INTEGRITY – We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability and transparency, and we rely on facts and science to guide us and to ensure that we learn and evolve.
  • RESPECT – We honor the voices and knowledge of people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.
  • COLLABORATION – We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.

WWF is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and requires all US-based staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. WWF will consider requests for accommodation from the vaccine requirement based on disability, medical contraindication, sincerely held religious belief, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

To Apply:

• Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page, Requisition #24053
• Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone

As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status. WWF values diversity and inclusion and welcomes diverse candidates to apply.