Senior Policy Manager, Coalition for Fisheries Transparency en Oceana

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Director, Coalition for Fisheries Transparency  

FSLA: Exempt

Working in target countries all over the world, the Coalition for Fisheries Transparency represents an international group of NGOs advancing fisheries transparency worldwide, sharing information and resources, as well as helping to secure support to address gaps. Through this coalition, we can more effectively coordinate our advocacy efforts, support campaign strategy development in regions around the world, communicate the urgency of the issue, and elevate the need for transparency in the global agenda, thus helping deliver the changes needed for our oceans and the communities who rely on them for their livelihoods. 

The CFT Senior Policy Manager will lead the development and execution of national and regional advocacy strategies to advance fisheries transparency policies in diverse strategic geographies around the world. This role requires a strong understanding of international fisheries governance, policy development, and advocacy tactics. The Senior Policy Manager possesses the ability to work independently and has collaborative research, partnership-building, and project management skills. The position works closely with partners around the world including but not limited to Oceana to drive impactful reforms that enhance transparency in global fisheries. This role reports to the Director of the Coalition and can expect to travel roughly 20-30% of the time internationally. The position requires flexibility to work in varied time zones and is based out of one of the Oceana offices, preferably in Washington, DC. This is a full-time, exempt position. This is a two-year position with the possibility of extension based on additional funding.  

Principal Duties and Responsibilities 

Essential Functions: 

• Campaign Strategy & Development: Design and implement national and regional campaign strategies that advance fisheries transparency policies and governance reforms. Track relevant international legislation and regulations, focusing on target countries and regions.
• Advocacy Coordination: Lead the coordination of advocacy efforts among CFT members, partners, and stakeholders to ensure alignment and strategic impact. Based on research and engagement with key stakeholders, make recommendations to the Steering Committee of new target regions and countries and research projects for the Coalition to engage.
• Expert Guidance & Advisory: Provide expert advice and technical support to CFT members on fisheries transparency policies and regulatory frameworks. Advise the director, Steering Committee, and Coalition members to identify case studies and comparative analyses of key transparency measures, mapping transparency policy goals.
• Impact Tracking: Follow country progress towards Charter endorsement and implementation of Charter principles into policy.
• Representation & Engagement: Represent CFT in international, regional, and national fora, including policy dialogues, conferences, and stakeholder meetings as needed.
• Subject Matter Expertise: Maintain subject matter expertise and a network of experts in the areas of international fisheries, ultimate beneficial ownership, maritime domain awareness, global seafood trade and food security connections, human rights at sea, and international affairs as relevant to the work of the CFT. Monitor and analyze fisheries policy developments, emerging issues, and best practices to inform CFT’s strategic initiatives. Along with other members of the CFT staff, develop communications materials for various audiences, including written summaries, memos, and presentations.
• Stakeholder Relations: Build and maintain strong relationships with government agencies, intergovernmental organizations, industry representatives, and civil society groups to advance transparency goals.
• Capacity Building: Support CFT members through training, workshops, and knowledge-sharing initiatives to strengthen advocacy efforts.
• Process development and management: Ensure efficient collaboration, clear communication, and timely delivery of policy outputs – designing workflows, setting team protocols, and continuously improving systems to support high-performing, mission-driven work.

Job Requirements 

Education and experience: 

• Master’s degree in international development studies, international relations, marine science, environmental policy, or related field; plus at least eight years of work experience or related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience required. 
• Experience with advocacy campaigns directed at elected or appointed officials; proven ability to engage with policymakers, government agencies, and international organizations. 
• Professional experience in marine conservation issues (such as traceability, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, distant water fleets, etc.) and international fisheries policy. 
• Experience working internationally, including the creation and cultivation of partners and collaborative projects.
• Experience managing consultants and/or grantees to ensure timely delivery of work products.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a diverse, global environment and manage multiple priorities effectively. 
• Willingness to travel internationally as needed. 

Skills and knowledge: 

• Demonstrated interest in marine governance, fisheries management, and equitable development, including in the realm of small-scale fisheries.
• Ability to work effectively in a team as well as independently on projects.
• Organized working style and attention to detail.
• Adaptable to changing plans in a dynamic work environment. 
• Cross-cultural, race, and gender awareness and the ability to operate professionally in diverse and international settings. 
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with expertise in the communication of technical policy issues 
• Full fluency in written and spoken English. Additional language(s) such as Chinese, French, Korean, Japanese or Spanish are a plus. 
• High-level of organizational skill and technological proficiency with MS Office suite, cloud collaborative workspace platforms, and contact management systems, all required. 

Required Competencies: 

• Action Oriented: Makes things happen. Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Instills Trust: Is able to gain the confidence and trust of others by demonstrating honesty and authenticity, acting with integrity, being consistent and credible.
• Ensures Accountability: Follows through on commitments and makes sure others do the same. Has a reputation of taking ownership and responsibility for decisions, actions, and failures.
• Effective Communication: Understands the value of effective communication. Can deliver messages in a clear, compelling and concise manner. Actively listens, checks for understanding and adjusts content and style to meet the needs of different stakeholders.
• Situational Adaptability: Recognizes the need to be flexible and act differently in different situations – bring empathy in times of stress and change, firm direction in times of uncertainty, or diplomacy in times of conflict.
• Organizational Savvy: Is a master at getting things done in an organizational setting. Can maneuver comfortable through complex policy, process and people-related organizational dynamics.
• Cultivates Innovation: Can create new and better ways to be successful – enlists champions, generates ideas and nurtures the best ones, takes initiative, is comfortable taking risks, experiments and applies what they learned.

The salary range for this position is $95,000 to $110,000 annually.  

Oceana values a diverse workforce and welcomes people different from each other in many ways, including characteristics such as race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, and national origin. Oceana considers all qualified candidates and seeks to recruit from a diverse candidate pool. 

Oceana’s U.S. offices have operated on a hybrid schedule and staff have been required to work from their assigned office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. With agreement between the employee and their supervisor, the employee may work remotely Monday and Friday. 

Please submit your application by September 19, 2025.