Job Opportunity: Director of Marine Planning, Living Oceans Society

How to Apply:

Send your Cover Letter and Resume to:
Living Oceans Society c/o ‘Applications’
#204-343 Railway St., Vancouver BC V6A 1A4
OR by email: apply@livingoceans.org
OR by fax: 604-696-5045

Position based in Vancouver or Sointula, BC.
Contract: This is a one-year, .8-1.0 FTE contract position with the potential to renew
Starting Date: April 2014
Salary: Commensurate with experience; plus benefits

Application Deadline: March 21, 2014

MUST BE ELIGIBLE FOR EMPLOYMENT IN CANADA – Applicants from outside Canada please indicate your eligibility options in your cover letter (i.e. NAFTA work visa, skilled worker visa, etc.).

Living Oceans Society is seeking a Director of Marine Planning to lead our work in implementing ecosystem-based ocean management in Canada. The Director will play a key role in developing networks of marine protected areas and marine spatial plans, working at all levels from international to local to engage governments and stakeholders in conserving marine and coastal biodiversity. This position provides the opportunity to use lessons learned from MPA and planning processes from around the world to ensure that an effective and comprehensive network is established throughout Canada.

Background
The health of the ocean is declining. The cumulative impacts of multiple and mismanaged human uses is resulting in habitat destruction, the decline of fish stocks and pollution contaminating marine waters. Sea lice from fish farms are affecting wild salmon stocks and the federal government would like to open the north and central coast of BC to oil tankers. Canada is far short of its commitment, made in the Convention on Biological Diversity, to protect 10% of its marine environment by 2020 and with each passing year, user conflicts that threaten both marine life and the economies of coastal communities continue to multiply.

The main focus of this position will be working to implement marine spatial plans and develop a network of marine protected areas on the BC coast both within established processes and through public engagement to increase awareness and action, while developing organizational plans for a nation-wide campaign focused on implementing ecosystem-based management.

Key Accountability
The Director of Marine Planning reports to the Executive Director and is accountable for the development and successful implementation of the annual campaign strategy and work plan; ensuring that the program achieves its strategic goals and objectives on time and on budget.

Responsibilities of the Director of Marine Planning include:
• Work with the Executive Director to develop and implement campaign activities that meet the campaign goals and objectives
• Integrate the LOS goals, objectives and activities with the ENGO Network and other allies as necessary
• Work closely with the Director of Mapping and Analysis to identify and utilize marine analysis that helps achieve our goals within marine planning processes.
• Assist campaign staff to create workplans to achieve campaign goals and objectives and supervise the implementation of those plans
• Evaluate and assist campaign staff to achieve goals
• Manage the development of all communications materials including press releases, government briefings, web material, and publications in collaboration with the Communications Manager
• Develop relationships with funders; research and evaluate funding opportunities; prepare proposals and reports in collaboration with the Senior Management Team
• Represent Living Oceans Society on marine planning and protected areas with governments, stakeholders, scientists, the general public and media
• Participate, as necessary to achieve campaign goals, in government processes related to marine planning and protected areas
• Participate in meetings of the ENGO Network on a regular basis and contribute to building a robust, national campaign for marine planning and protected areas
• Follow the work of the IUCN on matters related to marine planning and protected areas, contributing as a member to the development of international policy and practice
• Publish research conducted by LOS in appropriate journals
• Attend and present at conferences as agreed among the Senior Management Team
Qualifications

Skills and attributes:
• Creative, innovative and strategic in seeking pathways to address complex problems.
• Analytic in the synthesis of complex and disparate data, and able to distill critical information from diverse and detailed sources.
• Ability to translate scientific and technical concepts and ideas in a compelling fashion across disciplines and between technical experts and present them to more general audiences.
• Able to set clear objectives, identify and follow priorities, and manage staff, multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent writing, oral communication and presentation skills with a demonstrated ability to communicate with peers, partner organizations, the scientific community, and government decision makers.
• Creativity and enthusiasm for working with social media.
• Ability to work independently and conduct work by phone and other remote media.

Knowledge and experience requirements:
• Masters degree in marine biology, resource management, conservation biology, environmental studies, or related fields
• Familiarity with current and emerging national and international research on marine planning and MPAs, marine governance and institutions
• A strong understanding of oceans management and marine protected area policies specific to Canada
• Experience with stakeholder negotiations, facilitation and government process
• Experience in or understanding of the following:
o BC First Nations Rights and Title; Aboriginal and Treaty rights
o Ecosystem based management concepts and principles.
o The Convention on Biological Diversity and the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
• At least five years of proven project direction and/or management experience, demonstrating an ability to manage budgets, staff and fundraising
• Experience developing and using online information systems to develop, manage, and communicate results of scientific research
• Experienced with print, broadcast and social media
• Prior experience in a non-profit organization will be considered an asset

General Requirements:
• Commitment to the Living Oceans Society mission and programs
• Willingness to travel
• Organized and efficient
• Good team player, flexible work style, and excellent interpersonal skills
• Fearlessness and perseverance will be considered assets
About Living Oceans Society

Living Oceans Society is a non-profit research and public education organization, committed to conserving marine biological diversity to ensure a healthy ocean and healthy coastal communities. We have an office in Sointula, a fishing community on the Central Coast of BC, and an office in Vancouver. To learn more about Living Oceans Society visit us at www.livingoceans.org