Regional Lead, High Seas, Micronesia
Description
What We Can Achieve Together
The Regional Lead, High Seas will support the development and implementation of the High Seas Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Strategy to advance The Nature Conservancy’s global ocean goals through strategic engagement with governments, multilateral institutions, regional coalitions, conservation partners, and the private sector. The role will help shape and influence country- and regional-level policy and enabling environments to build support for effective area-based conservation and management in areas beyond national jurisdiction, leveraging opportunities under the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement and related ocean governance processes.
The Regional Lead will identify, cultivate, and engage country champions; lead or coordinate foundational assessments and analyses; and support the development of High Seas proposals for submission to the BBNJ Secretariat in collaboration with NGO, government, and institutional partners. As a member of the High Seas MPA Strategy Team, the role will bridge global strategy and regional implementation, ensuring alignment and coordination across global and country-level efforts. Working with Micronesia-based staff, governments, and partners, the Regional Lead will support country-driven High Seas MPA processes and strategy development that reflect national priorities, governance contexts, and existing marine management efforts. The role will support government-led BBNJ proposals through coordination, analysis, stakeholder engagement, and decision-support materials. The position will also coordinate with the Micronesia Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) initiative to align High Seas MPA efforts with broader regional conservation objectives, including 30x30 goals and effective marine management.
This position is based in the Micronesia region in locations where TNC is authorized to conduct work (the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Guam) and embedded within TNC’s Micronesia & Polynesia Business Unit, with close coordination across country and regional teams. Consideration will also be given to qualified candidates based in Hawaii . This is a one-year, term-limited position with the opportunity to extend subject to availability of funding.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Regional Lead, High Seas leads country- and regional-level engagement to advance High Seas MPAs and, where appropriate, other area-based conservation measures, building multi-stakeholder support across governments, regional bodies, industry, and civil society. Serving as the primary liaison between the Global High Seas MPA Strategy Team, regional TNC teams, and key stakeholders, the role translates global priorities into regional workstreams and coordinates the development of proposals under the BBNJ Agreement. Responsibilities include convening partners, identifying and engaging country champions, supporting fundraising efforts, and aligning scientific, policy, and political considerations.
The Regional Lead manages day-to-day implementation of regional activities, monitors political and policy developments, and identifies risks, bottlenecks, and capacity needs. The role supports strategic communications and knowledge sharing to strengthen awareness of High Seas MPAs and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs), while facilitating monitoring, evaluation, and learning across geographies. Working closely with the Global High Seas, Large-Scale Fisheries, and Micronesia PFP teams, the position ensures coordination across related initiatives and may provide limited support to complementary national marine conservation efforts as time permits. The primary geographic focus is the Micronesia High Seas Pockets, with flexibility to pursue opportunities in other regional high seas areas as priorities evolve.
RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE
- Lead country- and regional-level efforts to secure government support and identify country champions for High Seas MPAs.
- Serve as the primary liaison between the High Seas Core Team and regional and in-country stakeholders, promoting strong communication, alignment, and coordination.
- Track and analyze country and regional political, legal, and institutional dynamics related to ocean governance and the BBNJ process, identifying risks, opportunities, interventions, and entry points.
- Convene and coordinate regional stakeholders – including governments, civil society, and research institutions – to build durable coalitions and advance shared priorities for High Seas MPAs.
- Develop regionally tailored approaches to MPA and OECM designation and implementation, adapting approaches to account for specific political, institutional, and ecological context.
- Identify political, institutional, and capacity-related barriers to MPA advancement within the region and propose practical solutions.
- Manage strategic partnerships with country- and regional-level NGOs, intergovernmental bodies, and technical institutions to strengthen alignment, accountability, and shared ownership of High Seas MPA design and implementation.
- Support resource mobilization efforts by providing regional expertise and strategic input to fundraising proposals and donor engagements for the High Seas program.
- Develop and deliver region-specific communications, talking points, briefing materials, and other resources tailored to government, multilateral, and regional audiences to build support and political momentum for High Seas MPAs, in collaboration with local and regional teams.
- Track and report on progress of regional activities and advise on adaptive management in response to shifting local political, institutional, and geopolitical contexts.
- Participate in regular High Seas MPA Strategy team calls to ensure alignment and coordination across global and regional teams.
- Represent TNC in regional and local fora, workshops, and policy dialogues related to High Seas MPAs and broader ocean governance.
- Provide other duties as assigned, including targeted support to the Conservancy’s national-level marine initiatives that complement High Seas MPA objectives.
We’re Looking for You
The challenges facing our planet today require comprehensive solutions that address the well-being of people and nature and lay the foundation for future conservation efforts. Promoting policies that provide benefits to both people and nature is critical to securing lasting conservation outcomes. The work and expertise of The Nature Conservancy’s Policy and Public Funding (“PPF”) programs are integral to this effort. The Policy and Public Funding business unit is helping to shape the government policies that help make possible achievement of transformative conservation outcomes to address climate change, enhance protection of lands, waters, and the ocean, and provide food and water sustainably. We have an awesome task at hand, and the work that you do here will have a direct impact on our success.
We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. To implement these priorities, we collaborate actively in a non-confrontational manner with public sector agencies, NGOs, academia, business and the finance sector.
What You’ll Bring
- Bachelor’s degree and 4 years related experience or equivalent combination.
- Fluency in English.
- Experience presenting to and/or communicating with business, government or legislative staff and/or program leadership.
- Experience in designing, implementing and directing multiple complex projects and ensuring program accountability.
- Communications experience including preparing and presenting project proposals and developing written communications.
- Experience working with corporate or NGO partners, and government agencies.