Senior Policy Advisor, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Senior Policy Advisor, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Oceana

Madrid, Spain

N.B. Applications will be assessed upon receipt; we therefore encourage early submission. Due to the high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.

OCEANA’s Mission:

Oceana is the most effective ocean conservation organisation in existence. We are a leader in science-based advocacy, and we campaign for policies to make the world’s oceans more abundant, vibrant, and biodiverse. We operate as a combined international organisation. Through recent expansion, our talented staff consists of about 240 people, working in more than 12 countries, including scientists, communications, fundraising, finance, administration, policy, and advocacy experts.

When you work at Oceana, you are part of an organisation that literally changes people's lives by protecting the oceans, improving food security, and enhancing livelihoods. Whether you are contributing as a policy advocate, expert, fundraiser, or team member, you play a pivotal role in helping people achieve their goals every day. Our culture is one of talented people working together with a common purpose.

As an Oceana team member, you know that what you do matters. Join us today to protect the world’s oceans and restore them to their former level of abundance!

The role: 

Oceana is seeking a Senior Policy Advisor passionate about ocean conservation to join its campaign team, with a focus on the protection of marine habitats in Europe. 

Under the supervision of the Campaign Director, the Senior Policy Advisor will help build, develop and implement Oceana's strategy for marine conservation in Europe. The Senior Policy Advisor will work with a high degree of autonomy, representing the organisation and liaising with policy makers, scientists, private sector and other key stakeholders. The Senior Policy Advisor will collaborate cross-functionally with other teams within the organization and specifically with communications experts.

The position is based in Oceana’s European Headquarters in Madrid, Spain, with regular travel in Europe (including to Brussels).

Main Responsibilities: 

• Drive the reflective thinking and strategic planning necessary to achieve campaign goals;
• Conduct thoughtful research around specific policy issues and design content that advances policy outcomes;
• Advocate government representatives to ensure that ambitious marine policies are adopted and implemented, pursuant to Oceana’s campaign goals;
• Manage and execute campaign activities through effective planning and implementation (in collaboration with other campaign staff); anticipate potential areas of challenges/opportunities; and proactively adjust policy and advocacy activity as needed;
• Facilitate strategic and impactful meetings, conferences and other events to effect change, strengthen relationships, and influence and advance policy on a European scale.
• Develop and implement the goals, strategies, tactics and policies for the assigned campaign and any related topics regarding marine matters where Oceana is active in Europe;
• Report periodically on campaign progress for both internal and external purposes;
• Collaborate with other team members across the organisation on projects that help achieve Oceana's goals and objectives;
• Draft funding proposals for public or private donors in coordination with the Development team, as appropriate;
• Act as Oceana spokesperson in front of media and other relevant stakeholders as appropriate;
• Carry out other duties requested by the Campaign Director, and which are deemed necessary.

Candidate Requirements: 

Education and work experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience (e.g., policy development or advocacy in an NGO, “think tank”, institutions or government);
• Strong political judgement and understanding of the political environment and relevant parliamentary and policy processes in Spain particularly. Experience with EU affairs;
• Solid understanding of marine and fisheries policies, with basic knowledge of the related science. Experience in biodiversity is a plus (e.g., marine protected areas);
• Proven experience in drafting reports and papers, presenting and debating technical or political topics related to marine conservation;
• Experience in communications, including strategic communication;
• Experience in coordinating coalition work is a plus.

Skills and knowledge:

• Results-driven, a drive to win, capable of drafting and implementing solid campaign/s plan/s;
• Strong interpersonal skills - specifically the ability to navigate collaborative work environments with diverse partners where you must be able to work through conflict;
• Creative and innovative approaches to research and communicating outcomes;
• Ability to work well under pressure and prioritise among several ongoing projects;
• Ability to approach problems with a sense of ownership, enthusiasm and innovation;
• Proficient in spoken and written Spanish and English. Additional languages are a plus;
• Proactively seeks out solutions to challenges and is responsive and flexible in managing a high paced, fast-changing environment;
• Self-starter able to effectively take initiative, work independently, stay calm under pressure and complete tasks in a timely manner;
• Ability to communicate effectively and appropriate with a wide range of people both verbally and in writing;
• Experience in an international non-profit preferred;
• Strong commitment to nature conservation.

Oceana’s offices in Europe operate on a hybrid schedule and employees are required to work from their assigned office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, while the employees may work from home on Monday and Friday.

How to apply?

Please click "apply" and send your updated CV and Motivation Letter in English to the attention of “Europe Senior Human Resources Manager” Mar Tello, before February 17^th, 2023, midnight CET. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so better submit as soon as possible. Only candidates shortlisted for an interview will be contacted. 

The above declarations are not intended to be an “all inclusive” list of duties and responsibilities of the job described, nor are they intended to be such a listing of the skills and abilities required to do the job. Rather, they are intended only to describe the general nature of the job and are a reasonable representation of its activities. 

Oceana is an equal opportunity employer and proud to provide equal employment opportunity to all job seekers. 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.

FUNDACION OCEANA is the Controller of the Data Subject’s personal data and informs him/her that these data shall be processed in accordance with the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of 27 April (GDPR) and the Organic Law 3/2018 of 5 December (LOPDGDD), for a legitimate interest of the Controller, providing the following information on the processing: 

• Purpose of the processing: to include the Data Subject in the personnel selection processes, analyzing the applicant’s profile with the aim of selecting the best candidate for the Controller’s vacancy;
• Legitimacy of the processing: unequivocal consent clearly indicated by the Data Subject;
• Data storage criteria: data will be stored for a maximum period of one year, after which the data will be erased, guaranteeing full respect for confidentiality both in the processing and subsequent destruction. To this effect, once this period has elapsed, and if you wish to continue participating in the Controller’s selection processes, please send us your CV again;
• Updating data: in the event of any modification to your data, please inform us in writing as soon as possible in order to keep your data duly updated;
• Data disclosure: Your data may be communicated to third parties because it is necessary to achieve the purpose of the treatment, or by legal obligation;
• Rights of the Data Subject:
  • Right to withdraw consent at any time;
  • Right of access, rectification, portability and erasure of data and the limitation or objection to their processing;
  • The right to file a claim with the Spanish Supervisory Authority (www.aepd.es) if you consider that the processing does not comply with the current legislation.

Contact information to exercise their rights: FUNDACION OCEANA. Gran Via 62, 7 Izq. - 28013 Madrid. Email: Europe.Data@oceana.org.

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