Global Lead – High Seas, Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United Kingdom.

📋 Description

• Oversee the execution of WWF’s BBNJ Strategy and assist in achieving the WWF Ocean Breakthrough goals.

• Establish strategic priorities for WWF’s BBNJ engagement.

• Lead and preside over WWF’s senior BBNJ coordination mechanism.

• Provide strategic direction in engagements with governments, intergovernmental organizations, civil society partners, and scientific institutions.

• Foster coherence across WWF’s ocean governance initiatives, including fisheries, shipping, seabed governance, biodiversity agreements, and ocean-climate processes.

• Promote enhanced collaboration under BBNJ across various international instruments and bodies, including RFMOs, IMO, ISA, CBD, CMS, and IWC.

• Integrate BBNJ implementation with Ocean Breakthrough priorities such as marine 30x30, Blue Corridors, ecologically connected seascapes, sustainable fisheries, sustainable shipping, and ocean-climate resilience.

• Coordinate WWF’s technical, policy, advocacy, and communications strategies.

• Assist regional and national offices with government engagement, implementation, and coalition-building efforts.

• Lead resource mobilization and financial management, encompassing donor engagement, funding proposals, budget oversight, and resource allocation.

• Represent WWF as a senior spokesperson in negotiations, partnerships, political dialogues, conferences, donor interactions, and media opportunities.

• Encourage learning, knowledge sharing, and adaptive management across BBNJ and Ocean Breakthrough portfolios.

• Report to the Oceans Senior Director at WWF International, and convene/support the BBNJ Working Group, Ocean Breakthrough steering group, and core BBNJ coordination mechanism.

⛳️ Requirements

• An advanced university degree in international environmental law, marine policy, ocean governance, conservation science, political science, international relations, or a closely related field, or equivalent senior professional experience.

• A minimum of eight years of relevant senior professional experience in global or regional ocean governance, marine conservation policy, multilateral environmental agreements, advocacy, or related sectors.

• Proven experience leading or coordinating complex, multi-stakeholder or network-wide initiatives across institutions, countries, teams, or sectors.

• In-depth understanding of the BBNJ Agreement and the wider international ocean governance framework, including IMO, RFMOs, ISA, IWC, CBD, and CMS.

• Established credibility with senior policy, conservation, government, intergovernmental, scientific, and civil society stakeholders.

• Proven track record in shaping policy outcomes, building consensus, and achieving results in multilateral or international governance settings.

• Excellent grasp of BBNJ implementation challenges and the historical context of the Agreement.

• Strong knowledge of marine conservation, ecological connectivity, and the coherence of ocean governance.

• Ability to lead, convene, and inspire colleagues within a complex international network.

• Capacity to operate effectively in a matrixed organization, influencing without direct authority.

• Strong political acumen and strategic insight.

• Outstanding policy analysis, writing, facilitation, and communication abilities.

• Experience working collaboratively with governments, intergovernmental processes, civil society coalitions, scientific partners, and regional institutions.

• Proven success in fundraising, including donor engagement and developing funding proposals.

• Ability to connect technical, policy, advocacy, communications, and fundraising initiatives.

• Commitment to inclusive and equitable implementation methodologies.

• Proficient in English; additional relevant languages are advantageous.

• Willingness and capability to travel internationally.

• Commitment to WWF’s mission and values of Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration.

• Legal authorization to work in the host country.

🏝️ Benefits

• Fixed-term contract.

• Opportunity for current internal WWF candidates to remain in their current location, subject to approval by their host office.

• Opportunities and requirements for international travel.