Fisheries Policy Associate

What We Can Achieve Together

The Fisheries Policy Associate directly supports TNC’s engagement in Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) and our efforts to ensure effective implementation and use of electronic monitoring systems. For decades, fisheries managers have lacked timely and reliable data to keep pace with the complexity of modern fishing operations, a key barrier to sustainably managing industrial fisheries and protecting the health of our oceans and the communities and economies that depend on them. The position works within established fisheries policy strategies and does not independently set TNC policy positions, make institutional commitments, or serve as the final decision‑maker for engagement strategy. This position plays a key role in supporting TNC’s fisheries strategy, providing the necessary administrative research, analysis and writing skills for the team to deliver and have impact. They serve as a liaison and informational contact between the organization and country, sub‑national, local agencies, multilateral institutions, business and/or private groups.

This is a term‑limited, global remote position ending in June of 2029, with a possibility for extension. The location for this position is negotiable (globally) anywhere TNC is authorized to conduct business, with a preference for the Americas. Canadian positions are limited to the following provinces: Alberta, Ontario and the Northwest Territories.

Essential Functions

The Fisheries Policy Associate provides research and policy analysis in support of The Nature Conservancy’s engagement in Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) and our efforts to ensure effective implementation and use of electronic monitoring systems to promote sustainable fisheries. They build and facilitate internal networks, coordinate meetings, agendas, presentations, and support drafting of advocacy materials that will underpin our RFMO engagement strategies. They provide services that assist in influencing the outcome of policy and/or corporate initiatives at the international, country, sub‑national and local levels. They develop strategic partnerships with relevant agencies, conservation organisations, and industry to advance the organisation’s conservation agenda. The Policy Associate reports to the International Fisheries Policy Advisor, Global Ocean Policy in the Policy and Public Funding Business Unit. Ability to travel internationally is required for this role. At least 20 % of working time will be spent attending RFMO commission, committee, technical working group, and stakeholder meetings across multiple regions each year.

Responsibilities & Scope

• Supports the international fisheries policy portfolio objectives.
• Provides research and policy analysis in support of legislative and policy priorities.
• Ability to maintain a task management system and meet deadlines, accordingly.
• Detail oriented and ability to maintain accuracy and impartiality in all work products.
• Ability to work well in a team setting.
• Owns defined research, meeting‑preparation, stakeholder‑coordination, and follow‑up deliverables from planning through completion, escalating strategic, sensitive, or institutionally significant matters to the International Fisheries Policy Advisor.
• Ability to balance numerous tasks simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.
• Travel and work flexible hours, as needed.
• May aid with preparation of program materials including presentations, memos, and other communications.
• Provides research, coordination, analysis, and engagement support intended to help advance policy and/or corporate initiatives at the international and country levels.
• Supports the development and maintenance of strategic relationships with relevant agencies, governments, conservation organisations and industry, in coordination with senior fisheries policy staff.
• Works independently and with a supervisor, as needed.

We’re Looking For You

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science‑based organization, we create innovative, on‑the‑ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which include a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life.

Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion!

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 programmes is 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 are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an 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 3 years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Fluency in English
• Experience researching information from divergent sources and compiling it into a cohesive reporting structure.
• Experience with legislative, planning, policy or corporate initiatives at two or more of the following levels: international, country, sub‑national, or local.
• Experience presenting to and communicating with government or corporate staff and/or program leadership.
• Experience working with partners/government agencies and the corporate sector.

Salary Information

This position may be based in any country where TNC has an established entity, taking into consideration legal restrictions, such as non‑national ratios and immigration processing times. For U.S. based applicants only, the starting pay range for this position is generally within the range of $61,000–$96,000 for annual base salary and is based on location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. For all other applicants, pay ranges will be in local currency, the pay range will be based on the local labour market, and not tied to the above pay range. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment and used to determine your actual pay range. Additionally, for all applicants, actual pay will fall within a range based on a variety of factors including, for example, the candidate’s qualifications, specific skills, and experience.

Who We Are

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science‑based organization, we create innovative, on‑the‑ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

What We Bring

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non‑profit into one of the most effective and wide‑reaching environmental organisations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8 % employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance programme, other life and work well‑being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports the health and well‑being of the people we employ.

Recruiting Process

Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process.