Africa Regional Coordinator

Since its founding in 2011, the High Seas Alliance (HSA), with its 50+ non-governmental members and the International Union for Conservation of Nature, has been working towards protecting the 50% of the planet that is the high seas. As the region of the global ocean that is beyond national jurisdiction, the high seas includes some of the most biologically important, least protected, and most critically threatened ecosystems in the world.

HSA members work together to inspire, inform and engage the public, decision-makers and experts to support and strengthen high seas governance and conservation, as well as cooperating towards the establishment of high seas protected areas. Our first priority in the coming months is to support ratification of the new High Seas (BBNJ) Treaty, with the work of the alliance being more focussed in key countries in all regions across the world.

Position Overview

This position will serve as the coordinator and connective tissue between HSA member groups in Southern, Central and Eastern Africa in order to contribute to the Alliance goal of ratification of the High Seas Treaty by at least 60 countries by June 2025, so that it can enter into force and start to deliver the much needed protection for marine biodiversity that the ocean urgently needs.

The position will report to the Director and work closely with HSA member groups and other members of the HSA team.

Position Responsibilities

1. Coordination of members and representation in the region to support ratification efforts

• Contribute to mapping Members’ activity and resources in different countries and regions, including building an understanding of the legal processes and support needed
• Reach out to NGOs in the region to build HSA’s membership, identify champions and partners
• Coordinate regional planning meetings with members to plan, strategise, solidify and advance activities regarding ratification
• Coordinate fortnightly regional meetings and regular updates
• Support HSA member groups to share and update the countries’ political positions on the High Seas Treaty and our public Ratification Tracker
• Help disseminate to HSA regional members HSA tools/briefings to support their work
• Coordinate with HSA and member groups’ capacity building activities for countries on ratification to maximise synergies and ensure knowledge and expertise is shared among the Alliance
• Contribute to planning, organisation and attendance of workshops and side events for the High
• Seas Treaty at regional and international events
• Identify and support the mobilisation of regional civil society, political and youth champions to bring onboard other countries in the region
• Help coordinate and participate in regionally specific media briefings with support of HSA core comms team

2. Support strong institutional set up and implementation of the High Seas Treaty

• Work with HSA member groups to support suitable champion individuals in countries in pursuing membership of key BBNJ institutions
• Working with HSA’s Cross-Cutting Coordinator, ensure members in the regions advocate for model terms of reference for the various Committees and bodies
• Co-organise with countries and/or regional bodies capacity building workshops and briefings on the key elements needed for effective establishment of the institutions, in coordination with the HSA Cross-Cutting Coordinator and working group
• Liaise with HSA members and working group leads on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Marine Protected Area (MPA) to ensure that relevant data is collected and shared across states and regions
• Promote the provisions of the High Seas Treaty in relevant regional fora, and support other member groups in the region to do so

Required Qualifications

•  Experience leading projects or campaigns in ocean conservation
• Experience working with multiple partners
• Ability to work on teams with diverse perspectives, values and identities
• Strong communication skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Ability to travel as needed

Terms:

This is a one year contract position for 3 days/week at a rate of up to $600 a day with possibility of renewal. Note: The daily rate is indexed for a New York position and will be adjusted according to a Cost of Living Index depending on location and experience of the successful applicant. The person should be from and based in Eastern, Southern or Central Africa so that they can maintain working knowledge of the local politics and public sentiment, and visit national and regional representatives and other HSA member groups in person where relevant.

HSA is currently developing a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy and we encourage all people to apply for this position.