Senior Advisor, Science & Strategy

Oceana is an international policy advocacy organization for marine conservation. Its mission is to protect the world’s oceans and restore them to former levels of abundance. Founded in 2001, Oceana has offices in North America, South America, Asia and Europe that work together on a limited number of strategic, directed campaigns to achieve measurable outcomes. Oceana has approximately 220 staff located in eight countries and the EU with an annual budget of approximately $39 million.

Oceana is seeking a Senior Advisor for its Science and Strategy team. This position reports to Oceana’s Chief of Strategy and is a member of the Science and Strategy team. The Senior Advisor will work with our international offices and assist the team with staff mentoring, campaign strategy and planning, refining proposals for national policy change, internal and external communications and diplomacy and reporting to funders. The position requires interaction with Oceana staff and outside organizations in varied time zones and is based in Washington, D.C. Frequent travel is required.            

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

CAMPAIGN AND STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT

• Operationalize goals, manage and monitor projects as directed by the Chief of Strategy
• Coach newly hired international staff on designing and running campaigns to influence policy decisions
• Assist in adapting and tailoring campaign tactics and timelines to local contexts
• Carefully review and screen draft presentations, reports and funder updates for strategic alignment as well as errors in fact or protocol

STAFF AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT

• Improve workflow and build effective teams in different cultural contexts
• Navigate internal politics gracefully and effectively
• Regularly work with Oceana’s international offices

RELATIONSHIP CULTIVATION

• Cultivate external relationships with partner organizations, funders, government staff and decision-makers 
• Stay current on the latest policy innovations related to poverty, food security and fisheries management
• Help position Oceana as a leader in addressing these issues in countries where Oceana works

Job Requirements

Education and work experience:

• Master’s degree in relevant field or undergraduate degree with additional experience
• Five years of experience in a relevant field
• Experience critiquing policy decisions on environment or natural resources issues
• Work on an advocacy campaign directed at elected or appointed officials
• Experience coordinating or working with a remotely located team
• Three years of experience supervising, mentoring or coaching multiple people
• International experience, including living abroad or in a cross-cultural context, ideally for at least six months
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills
• Experience in marine conservation policy or fisheries is a plus
• Bonus but not required, if fluent in Brazilian, Latin American Spanish or Filipino language and culture

Must be eligible to work in the United States and travel to Asia, Latin America and Canada