Senior Vice President, Center for Oceans

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND

People need nature. Food, water, livelihoods, a stable climate — these are just some of the essentials that nature provides. At Conservation International, we protect nature so that humanity can thrive. Blending innovative science, policy expertise and a worldwide network of partnerships, CI empowers communities, countries and companies to sustainably care for nature.

Working at every level of society, from remote villages to the offices of CEOs and heads of state, CI’s staff of over 1000 people in 30 countries strives to protect nature where it is most crucial for people. Our ultimate goal: a healthy planet that enables all people to prosper.

CENTER FOR OCEANS

Building on CI’s strong heritage of marine conservation, CI’s new Center for Oceans will accelerate efforts to restore and protect the oceans. The success of initiatives such as seascapes, the Pacific Oceanscape, the Ocean Health Index, blue carbon, and sustainable fisheries position this center to pioneer new tools, expand collaboration with partners and support the next generation of marine sustainability scientists. The Center will lead CI’s efforts to drive global progress toward healthy oceans.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Executive Vice President and Chief Ocean Scientist, the Senior Vice President (SVP) for Oceans is an entrepreneurial leader with an outstanding track record of marine conservation and a proven ability to develop high impact partnerships with globally leading organizations. S/He leads CI’s oceans endeavor and is responsible for providing the strategic direction, management and oversight of the Center for Oceans and its ~25 staff.

The SVP leads the development and implementation of global ocean strategies. This includes work to save and restore ocean ecosystems that support human well-being and prosperity through:

• Applying and leveraging proven tools both for ocean conservation, fisheries management and sustainable use
• Developing and pioneering new strategies and tactics to maximize the flow of ocean benefits that contribute to prosperity

• Creating and maintaining thought leadership on global ocean conservation

The SVP is responsible for achieving outcomes, developing programs, and fundraising for an initial portfolio of ocean programs, including a growing program on sustainable fisheries, with an annual budget of $5 million, as well as providing strategic oversight and coordination of other programs with a total budget of approximately $10 million per year. Also, the position includes leadership and fundraising responsibilities through matrix management for another 100 staff, primarily in CI field divisions including for Seascapes and Pacific Oceanscape programs.

Strategy Development, Implementation and Management

• Ability to identify strategic ocean issues and priorities, develop implementation teams and plans, and serve as the key decision-maker on programmatic, fundraising and operational issues
• Detailed knowledge of global ocean conservation landscape and ability to assess merits of new research ideas, including identifying synergies with other ocean conservation and sustainable development groups and organizations

Partnerships

• Has extensive network of leading academic, think tank and policy experts, and proven ability to establish high impact ocean conservation partnerships among organizations

Fundraising

• Demonstrated capacity for fundraising for ocean conservation with both foundations and wealthy donors with demonstrated results at securing multimillion dollar gifts

People and Program Management

• Strong track record of successful leadership and management of large, geographically dispersed teams
• Ability to mentor and motivate staff and provide leadership across a diverse team of scientific and operational professionals

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

The preferred candidate should have the following attributes:

• Ability to transform ocean research and project results into practical decision-making tools and improved practices and policy by governments, private sector and civil society
• A proven track record of identifying strategic issues and priorities, developing implementation teams and plans, and serving as the key decision-maker on programmatic, fundraising and operational issues
• An extensive network of leading academic, think tank and ocean policy experts, and proven ability to establish high impact ocean partnerships among organizations
• A proven track record of successful fundraising at the $1 million+ level
• 15+ years of marine conservation and/or fisheries management strategy development, program management, and international policy experience required

• Solid scientific publication record is a must

Preferred Qualifications:

• The position would benefit greatly from strong marine conservation or fisheries management experience in tropical developing countries, in particular in the Exclusive Economic Zones of Indonesia, Eastern Tropical Pacific, Pacific Islands region, Brazil, Philippines, Western Indian Ocean, and/or in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction as well as active involvement in the development of and engagement in international conventions and agreements, and with the most senior level government officials (ministers and heads of state).

• Fluency in French, Spanish and/or Portuguese would be an asset.

EDUCATION

• Ph.D. in marine biology, fisheries management or related field, or significant equivalent expertise and experience

TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION Visit the CI website at: http://chk.tbe.taleo.net/chk04/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=CONSERVATION&cws=1&rid=678