DEPUTY HEAD OF SECRETARIAT

Program Management  London, London

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Description

High-level Panel on Building a Sustainable Ocean Economy

The High-level Panel on Building a Sustainable Ocean Economy, announced by the Norwegian Prime Minister at the World Economic Forum 2018, offers an unparalleled opportunity to inspire genuine change in attitudes and actions on the Ocean at the highest levels. The focus on the economics as well as the ecology of the ocean is urgently needed. Done right, a new sustainable Ocean economy can provide growth and prosperity that lasts.

Many policymakers, business and civil society leaders, and other Ocean stakeholders currently lack an evidence-based understanding of how sustainable use of the Ocean and its resources can enable higher value creation—and how this in turn can help meet some of the world’s most important needs and many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In other words, the growing Ocean movement needs:

• A shared understanding of the relationship between the Ocean and the economy;
• A recognition that economic production and Ocean protection must be mutually supporting—the world must “produce and protect”, striking a balance between use and conservation of the ocean; and
• A roadmap for the suite of innovations in policy, governance, markets and incentives that will align robust economic development (especially in the developing world) with protection of the underlying natural capital of the Ocean.

In short, the world needs a new narrative on what a “Sustainable Ocean Economy” is and how to achieve it. The High-level Panel is addressing precisely the right questions at precisely the right time.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) has been selected via a competitive process by the Norwegian Government to act as the Secretariat to the High-level Panel on Building a Sustainable Ocean Economy in order to develop and articulate a new narrative on what a “Sustainable Ocean Economy” is and how to achieve it. The WRI-led Secretariat will serve as a hub of globally recognized international research institutions that will provide analytical and solution-development services to the High-level Panel. A key part of the assignment will be to harness expert and stakeholder expertise to generate new information and insights, identify solutions, and develop strategies for turning those solutions into reality in the context of the political economy. The core output of this initiative will be a final report from the Panel by mid-2020.

In this manner, the final report will play a major role in shaping the global debate on the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and marine resources. WRI will help the High-level Panel achieve its goals by producing cutting-edge knowledge, new insights, and innovative recommendations (underpinned with hard-core analyses by academic institutions and think tanks) by engaging top-level political leaders and leveraging high-profile events/platforms to disseminate key messages.

World Resources Institute (WRI)

WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations. WRI has more than 800 experts and staff who work in more than 60 countries, with international offices in Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States, regional offices in Ethiopia (for Africa) and the Netherlands (for Europe), and program offices in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Turkey and the United Kingdom. WRI’s Sustainable Ocean Initiative is focused on accelerating progress toward a sustainable new Ocean economy and achievement of SDG 14 - the Ocean Goal. The Initiative aims to support efforts to address the numerous challenges the Ocean currently faces, and encourage conservation of the marine environment alongside the sustainable use of the marine resources that are so crucial to many countries economic development and human well-being. The Initiative, in partnership with the World Economic Forum, also acts as the Secretariat to the Friends of Ocean Action (www.friendsofoceanaction.org). 

Job Summary - Deputy Head of Secretariat

The role of Deputy Head of Secretariat offers a unique opportunity to contribute to an exciting, high-profile initiative in a fast-paced environment. This position can be based in London or Washington, D.C., and reports to the Head of the Secretariat and works closely with all Secretariat staff. As a member of a small team, the Deputy Head of Secretariat will have a critical role to play in ensuring the success of the Panel. Given the scope and high-level nature of the of the Panel’s work, expertise from previous similar initiatives is highly desirable.

Reporting to the Head of the Secretariat, the Deputy Head of Secretariat will be responsible for the smooth and effective implementation of the High-level Panel’s strategic plan.

The Deputy Head of Secretariat will be responsible for the day-to-day operations, coordination and implementation of the Secretariat’s duties, and for supporting the implementation of the Panel’s work across a broad range of areas. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter and highly motivated, as well as detail-oriented. The Deputy Head of Secretariat will have a strong commitment to WRI’s mission and the urgent need to address existing and emerging Ocean challenges confronting humankind.

Job Responsibilities

The Deputy Head of Secretariat's main areas of responsibility will include the following:

Project Management

• Working with the Head of the Secretariat, support the efforts of the High-level Panel, its Sherpas, the Co-Chairs, members of the Expert group and the Advisory Network.
• Provide advice and assistance to the Head of the Secretariat in identifying and set highly measurable goals and targets, as well as develop timelines and operational plans;
• Develop and implement workplans with the Head of Secretariat to achieve the agreed strategic objectives of the High-level Panel;
• Consult with the Expert Group and the Advisory Network to help inform project development and implementation;
• Host strategy sessions with NGOs, scientists, and other stakeholders;
• Monitor and manage project deliverables including institutional and donor reporting (narrative or key performance indicators);
• Collaborate extensively with the Secretariat Communications team to develop and implement a communications strategy of the High-level Panel, and ensuring that the Panel’s website and its social media channels are deployed effectively;
• Monitor project budget and oversee project consultants; and
• Collaborate with the Head of the Secretariat and Secretariat staff to provide High-level Panel Sherpas, Expert Group and Advisory Network Co-Chairs with regular updates on project advancements.

Program/Partnership Development

• Contribute to funding proposals, including by identifying and developing key relationships and inputting on developing strong, high-impact engagement strategies;
• Executing strategic communication plans for the program, working with the Secretariat communications team and the Head of the Secretariat to identify high-priority projects and highlight WRI research analysis and experts;
• Monitor and ensure compliance with sub agreement guidelines

Research & Knowledge

• Preparing issue-specific briefing materials with responsibility for at least one or more of the Blue Papers;
• Preparing engagement and communications materials; 
• Mentoring junior staff.

Travel

• It is anticipated that this position may entail travel up to 25% of the post holder’s time.

Qualitifications

The successful candidate should be able to evidence the following specific experience:

• Advanced degree, or equivalent qualification through experience
• Eight+ years of relevant professional experience required. Experience in international Ocean policy, marine conservation and management required, and engagement with the Ocean related business community is a plus
• Significant experience in dealing with senior and complex stakeholder interactions and engagement
• Demonstrable strong analytical and strategic skills
• Experience of synthesizing large amounts of information and focussing quickly on the essence of an issue/problem to determine what intervention is required, and identifying the means to address it
• A strong commitment to producing measurable results
• Proven ability to meet multiple deadlines while maintaining a high level of organization
• Demonstrable ability to develop and move projects forward with a high degree of independence and autonomy
• Politically astute, able to understand the needs and motivations of different individuals (particularly at the highest level of Government, business, and international institutions), and able to conceptualize scenarios to satisfy multiple agendas and stakeholders
• Excellent written and oral communications skills, including an ease in briefly summarizing the essence of issues and means to address them;
• Strong oral presentation, facilitation and written communication skills;
• Clear, effective writing style
• Strong interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to develop and manage productive relationships with consultants, partners and others who contribute to the development of a project
• Excellent listening skills
• Strong diplomatic skills
• Able to work productively with a wide array of different people and international institutions
• Seasoned judgment, able to justify recommendations, and be responsive, clear and firm with colleagues and partners; and
• A task-oriented style, with focus on achieving clear and ambitious goals

How to Apply

Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

The World Resources Institute (http://www.wri.org) is an environmental and development research and policy organization that creates solutions to protect the Earth and improve people’s lives. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is WRI’s policy to recruit, hire, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, parental status, protected veteran status, or disability. WRI’s global agenda requires a staff that is diverse – with respect to race, gender, cultural, and international background. Diverse perspectives and experience enhance the way WRI selects and approaches issues, as well as the creativity and applicability of WRI's policy research and analysis. WRI, therefore, encourages applications from U.S. minorities, persons from other countries (especially developing nations), and from women of all backgrounds.

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