BLUE is seeking a Senior Manager to support our interactions with Government departments and agencies in the UK with the aim of achieving transformational results in marine conservation. This position will play a key role in BLUE’s work, with an emphasis on turning practical conservation gains into lasting policy change.
This role will lead and support the delivery of new and existing UK projects and campaigns, which include: the protection and restoration of ‘blue carbon’ habitats in the Solent, innovative ways to bring the North Sea back to health, enhancing the UK’s marine protected area network and voluntary fisheries management exemplars in Lyme Bay and Berwickshire.
You will have a passion for the ocean and an awareness of the challenges and prospects to create change. This is an incredible opportunity to join a highly impactful charity at the cutting edge of marine conservation.
The location of this role is flexible with some days required in our office in Somerset House, London. This position will involve travel within the UK.
Salary: Commensurate with experience; plus, generous benefits package.
Hours & contract information:
Hours: Full time, 40 hours per week, permanent
Location: Flexible with some days in central London
Holidays: 5 weeks leave per annum plus bank holidays
Reporting to: Projects Director
Please send your CV and a letter explaining your skills and suitability for the role along with information on your salary expectations to: Anna Gage: anna@edelweisshr.co.uk
If you would like to know more or have any questions, then we’d be happy to help.
The application deadline is 8th September 2020, 23:59.
First interviews w/c 21st September. Second interviews w/c 28th September 2020.
All Blue Marine Foundation’s London office-based employees are currently working remotely, and we would expect to continue to offer flexibility as restrictions are lifted.
We are committed to an inclusive workplace, where there is equality of opportunity. We value diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Lead marine policy analysis with the aim of influencing relevant processes to support the delivery of our UK projects and campaigns.
- Critically analyse legislative and policy proposals relevant to the UK’s management of fisheries and the marine environment.
- Develop productive relationships with government officials and relevant politicians regarding marine policy and legislation.?Develop and deliver BLUE’s UK programme of policy work.
- Develop effective advocacy and campaign strategies.
- Responsible for leading technical engagement with officials in Defra, Welsh Government, MMO, Cefas, JNCC, NRW, NE, IFCAs, NGOs, amongst others, on marine policy, fisheries management and regulatory matters.
- Initiate and build good relationships with stakeholders in the UK and the EU (where required), including the fishing industry, NGOs (both environmental and wider civil society), institutions working on science and policy, MPs, civil servants and government advisers.
- Actively participate in and contribute to working groups with partner organisations and coalitions.
- Conduct policy, legislative and regulatory research and analysis to provide insights and briefings for BLUE, and for public and political audiences.
- Develop new thinking and proposals, supported by sound research and analysis, on key issues arising from Brexit and its impact on environmental law and governance.
- Develop and implement a policy, planning and regulatory communication strategy.
- Collate and submit evidence to consultation processes. This will include Government and IFCA policy and bylaw processes.
- Work with the Head of Government Affairs to plan and implement engagement activities with political stakeholders.
- Assist the Projects Director and other BLUE staff in delivering BLUE’s projects and campaigns.
- Develop and maintain an in-depth knowledge of relevant laws, including: the EU Common Fisheries Policy, Fisheries Control Regulation; Marine Strategy Framework Directive; Birds and Habitats Directives; the UK Marine and Coastal Access Act, the Marine (Scotland) Act; UNCLOS, OSPAR, other international law relevant to fisheries; the devolution settlements between the UK and Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales in relation to fisheries.
This list is not exhaustive, and the selected candidate will be required to undertake other relevant tasks. This position will involve some travel within the UK and occasionally internationally.
Additional responsibilities:
- Assist with regular reporting to BLUE and funders on progress against deliverables for UK projects.
- Support international projects where required, such as international ocean governance.
- Support the development of funding proposals for government, trusts and foundations as well as private donors.
- Write reports and proposals for internal and external consumption as and when required.
- Attend and speak at relevant national and international marine conservation workshops, meetings and conferences when required.
- Represent BLUE when required at meetings, events and other engagement opportunities.
- Creation of content such as blog writing and updates for BLUE’s website and other communication platforms.
- Potential for future project and line management as well as matrix leadership.
Skills required
- An excellent communicator (written and verbal), with an ability to build relationships.
- An accomplished?networker and influencer.
- Relevant qualification (or equivalent experience).
- An ability to extract and summarise key issues from scientific and policy papers.
- A technical knowledge of marine policy, planning, fisheries management and consents.
- Highly self-motivated and able to work using own initiative.
- A drive and determination to succeed.
- Able to work under pressure and prioritise tasks.
- Excellent team working and inter-personal skills.
- Able to multi-task to meet key deadlines and take a flexible approach.
- Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
- A command of relevant software, such as MS Office.
Experience required
- Experience of engaging and managing relationships with stakeholders and possessing a network of relevant contacts, including Government and/or public body representatives, fishing industry and NGOs.
- Previous experience of marine management, conservation, fisheries management, environmental management and/or consulting.
- Proven experience and understanding of marine regulatory processes, including fisheries and marine protected area management.
- Experience in developing and delivering strategic advocacy plans.
- A demonstrable ability to translate a diverse range of marine related policy and legislation objectives at European, UK and Devolved level.
- Proven experience of advocacy and/or campaigning.
- Experience of desk-based research, policy development /review and/or briefing on key issues
- Proven skills in extracting and summarising key issues in policy papers, legislation and regulation.
- A demonstrable track record of impacting policy and regulatory decisions.
- Experience of marine policy and/or advocacy work (preferably fisheries) within the EU, a national government or other organisation.
- Good understanding of UK, International and EU political and regulatory processes.
- Knowledge of fisheries management concepts.
Please send your CV and a letter explaining your skills and suitability for the role along with information on your salary expectations to: Anna Gage: anna@edelweisshr.co.uk.
