Senior Manager, Biodiversity Initiative (Interim - Maternity Leave Cover)

The application period will close on April 30, 2026 00:00 CEST. Please note that if we receive a high volume of qualified applicants, the posting may close sooner, so we encourage candidates to submit their applications as soon as possible.

Background

Global Fishing Watch is an international, non-profit organization committed to advancing ocean governance through increased transparency. We create and publicly share knowledge about human activity at sea to enable fair and sustainable use of our ocean. Founded in 2015 through a collaboration between Oceana, SkyTruth, and Google, GFW became an independent non-profit organization in June 2017. Using cutting-edge technology, we create and publicly share map visualizations, data and analysis tools to enable scientific research and drive a transformation in how we manage our ocean. Our major focus is on commercial fishing because it is the most widespread human activity at sea, the most impactful on ocean health, and the most crucial for global livelihoods and food security. By 2030, we aim to monitor and visualize the impact of ocean-going vessels, both industrial and small-scale, that are responsible for the vast majority of the global seafood catch. We believe human activity at sea should be common knowledge in order to safeguard the global ocean commons for the common good of all. 

The Position

Global Fishing Watch is seeking a Senior Manager, Biodiversity Initiative (interim) for a fixed-term maternity leave cover running up until circa March 2028.

We are looking for a senior oceans specialist with deep technical expertise in marine biodiversity conservation and implementing area-based management alongside strong policy expertise. A key member of our global programs team, the senior manager will primarily drive our core delivery of the biodiversity initiative, with transparency, technology and open data as central principles. The Senior Manager will play a central role in advancing our biodiversity work, including strengthening the use of Global Fishing Watch Marine Manager and supporting implementation of Target 3 of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (the 30x30 target), with a focus on effective, equitable and well-managed marine protected areas (MPAs) and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs).

The Senior Manager will also contribute to grant management, MEL processes and fundraising efforts, and engage with institutions and organizations linked to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), 30x30 implementation, and other existing or emerging international biodiversity instruments.  This position will play a key role in strengthening internal coherence and external impact, and represent the organization in biodiversity-related partnerships and engagements, as appropriate.

The role requires a highly collaborative mindset and the ability to work effectively across teams  in a global, matrixed environment, combined with a strong strategic mindset to build and sustain networks and partnerships within the marine biodiversity community. It also offers exciting opportunities to further develop Global Fishing Watch’s interventions supporting the designation, management planning and monitoring of human activity in MPAs and OECMs.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Strategy Execution and Operational Coordination

• Lead implementation of key elements of GFW’s strategic roadmap for 30x30, including delivery of core grants and strengthening policy engagement on transparency as a tool for biodiversity protection and other priority policy areas.
• Develop strategic partner mapping and cultivate external partners to help scale and strengthen our operational and policy impacts.
• Support the International Policy team in advancing the role of transparency and open data in delivering biodiversity outcomes, including securing policy commitments and government action.
• Provide strategic inputs and direction for the technical development of our Marine Manager tool.
• Collaborate with the Capacity Development and Technology Transfer team to support the development and implementation of our biodiversity training modules.
• Represent the organization by presenting our mission, data and tools to a variety of audiences, including strategic partners and policymakers, media and funders.
• Track priority impacts and support implementation of our MEL framework.

Regional Program Support

• Through a matrix structure provide technical and operational guidance in the delivery of our biodiversity interventions by regional teams. 
• Support delivery teams in assessing levels of 30x30 implementation across key countries and sub-regions where we work, helping to identify gaps, opportunities and priority interventions.
• Ensure alignment of regional biodiversity interventions with global strategy and internal policy guidance.
• Troubleshoot delivery challenges and promote knowledge exchange across regions.

Leadership and Management

• Serve as a thought partner to delivery teams, fostering a collaborative and solutions-oriented approach, providing strategic guidance and feedback to help navigate and resolve complex challenges.
• Establish strategic goals and objectives and key results (OKRs) with team members and track delivery of our priority impact areas.
• Support fundraising efforts as required.
• Maintain grant budgets.
• Develop, coordinate, and enforce systems, policies, and procedures.
• Ensure a safe, secure, welcoming, and legal work environment.

Candidate description

Required

• Master’s degree, or equivalent professional experience
• Established international track record/experience in biodiversity, fisheries, and other ocean governance themes.
• Demonstrated ability in development, management and policy work in the national, regional and international context.
• Familiarity with the UN Convention on Biological Diversity processes.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills in English.
• Highly organized, analytical, strategically minded and self-motivated.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to cultivate and follow up engagements with partners.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and move projects forward with a high degree of independence and autonomy.
• Experience working in complex, global, matrixed and remote organizations.
• Experience in drafting terms of reference, managing consultants and leading cross team work.

Preferred

• Experience working with governments on 30x30 implementation.
• Familiarity with the Global Environment Facility processes.
• Proficiency in an additional language other than English is desirable, particularly Spanish, French or Portuguese.
• Excellent oratory and presentation skills, and experience speaking with media, organizations, etc.

The successful candidate will meet most, but not necessarily all, of the criteria above. If you don’t think you check all the boxes, but believe you have unique skills that make you a great fit for the role, we want to hear from you!

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Additional Information

Note: The application period for this role closes on April 30, 2026 00:00 CEST.

Reporting to: Director Program Initiatives

Manages: NA

Please note: Visa sponsorship is not supported at this time. 

Candidates must be authorized to work for GFW without visa sponsorship for at least two years after their start date, or for the entire duration of their contract if on a fixed-term agreement.

Individuals on student visas must be eligible for full-time employment on their visa and have valid work authorization (such as Optional Practical Training (OPT) or equivalent) that remains valid for at least two years or the duration of their contract. Candidates relying on a spouse’s visa for work authorization are not eligible, as they must independently qualify for employment.

Location: This is a remote role, but candidates must be legally authorized and based in Colombia; Argentina; Chile; Brazil; United States; United Kingdom; Kenya for this role.

Permanent/Fixed Term/Contractor:  Fixed-term (USA & UK) / Contractor (Colombia; Argentina; Chile; Brazil & Kenya)

Duration: Circa March 2028 (Maternity Cover)

Full Time hours: Yes 

Recruiting process: Recruiting Process: A cover letter along with a CV will be requested to see how your experience and interest connect to the position. We expect the cover letter to allow applicants an opportunity to explain details on how their skill set aligns with the role and provide a better understanding of their suitability for the position. If selected for consideration, the hiring process for this position will include an initial call with our Talent Acquisition team, followed by a formal 45 minute interview with 1-3 team members. Candidates advancing beyond this round will be asked to take a technical assessment and/or submit a representative code sample. Lastly, a final interview with 2-4 teams members to review your assessment and assess functional skills.

Compensation: A compensation range for this position is USD 28-32 per hour for Colombia. USD 38-42/h for Argentina. USD 35-40/h for Chile. USD 30-35/h for Brazil. USD 105-120K per year for USA employees. GBP 65-75K per year for UK employees. USD 33-38/h for Kenya.

Compensation is commensurate with experience and will vary depending on the hired candidate’s country of residence, in accordance with local laws and regulations. GFW offers pension/retirement, health and other benefits commensurate with similar level GFW employees in the country of employment. The position may be a GFW employee, an employee of our Employer of Record Partner, or a contractor depending on the country of residence.

Equal opportunities: Global Fishing Watch is an equal opportunities employer. Global Fishing Watch is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within our organization and in the greater ocean management and conservation community. We believe that diverse backgrounds, skills, knowledge and viewpoints make us a stronger organization. Bringing together professionals who possess broad experiences and a spectrum of perspectives will enable us to reach our goal of improved ocean governance faster. We hire and promote qualified professionals without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or parental status, national origin, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Our organizational goals match the urgent challenges facing our global ocean, and our mission is designed to help secure a healthy ocean for all. We are committed to building a workforce that is representative of humanity’s diversity, by providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees of Global Fishing Watch and for our partners, vendors, suppliers and contractors.

Accessibility and Accommodations: We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you are selected for an interview and need accommodations or adjustments at any stage, please let the Talent Acquisition Manager know during your initial call. We’ll do our best to support your needs. Any information you share will be kept confidential and used only to ensure you have a positive experience.