Program Officer, Ocean Habitats and Communities

Reporting to the Ocean Initiative Director, the Program Officer (PO) will execute on all aspects of strategic grantmaking and field leadership for core aspects of the Ocean Initiative related to the Ocean Habitats and Communities (OHC) portfolio. The goal of the OHC portfolio is to protect and restore ocean habitats through equitable approaches to conservation and stewardship, resulting in positive biodiversity and human wellbeing outcomes. Area-based conservation (ABC) is the primary focus of the OHC Portfolio given the opportunity to tackle the biodiversity and climate crises. ABC includes marine protected areas (MPAs), other effective conservation measures (OECMs) and Indigenous and traditional territories (ITTs). Under this portfolio, the Foundation supports power-building and capacity-strengthening of ocean-reliant communities that advance ABC; advancing human-rights based approaches to marine area-based conservation; and advancing knowledge and communications to understand and elevate the importance of equitable marine ABC and associated stewardship.

This position will serve on an integrated and multidisciplinary team. The role blends subject matter expertise in area-based conservation with exceptional interpersonal and collaboration skills as both a key point of contact for external and internal partners.