Ocean and Climate Diplomacy Initiative (OCDI) Director

The Organization:

Oceans 5 is an international funders’ collaborative dedicated to stopping overfishing,

establishing protected areas, and mitigating the impacts of climate change with ocean-based

solutions. Founded in 2011, the organization has provided over $200 million in grants, involving

more than 150 organizations in as many regions and countries. Its activities are guided by its

Board of Advisors, a group of 22 individuals representing the world’s leading marine

philanthropic institutions. It manages several directed funds at the request of its donors, each

dedicated to grantmaking in complementary areas of marine conservation. It is staffed by a

group of seasoned professionals in eight countries that speak 22 languages. Oceans 5 is a

sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.

Oceans 5 prefers policy-oriented projects involving multiple organizations working toward

common objectives to improve ocean health. Its projects are designed and selected through a

deliberative process involving its Partners and Members. It also supports members of our

collaborative to strengthen ocean conservation philanthropy.

Its Partners and Members represent a diversity of philanthropic interests, with strong ties to

the international ocean conservation community. Its staff is small but extremely knowledgeable

and experienced. The organization has a unique ability to respond quickly to time-sensitive

opportunities. It is managed with low overhead, efficient administrative procedures, and

streamlined decision-making processes.

Ocean and Climate Diplomacy Initiative Director:

The Ocean Resilience and Climate Alliance (ORCA) is a philanthropic initiative that seeks to

identify and fund ocean-climate solutions across mitigation, sequestration, adaptation, and

resilience. ORCA’s principal function is to provide a surge of more than $300 million dollars in

grants over four years to catalyze work across a handful of immediate ocean-climate priorities.

These priorities have been developed in consultation with the ocean and climate donor

communities and were homed in collaboration with potential grantees. The Ocean Climate

Diplomacy Initiative (OCDI) supports one of seven pillars of work, elevating a unified ocean-

climate agenda through strategic diplomacy, and is housed within Oceans 5.

The Ocean and Climate Diplomacy Initiative Director will be a collaborative leader and strategic

partner, responsible for a range of activities including project scoping, development,

monitoring, and evaluation, as well as providing support to Oceans 5 Partners and Members.

The OCDI Director will oversee implementation of a significant directed fund, manage a group

of advisory committee donors, and serve on the Oceans 5 senior leadership team. A key focus

of the position is developing and resourcing a portfolio of projects, campaigns, and advocates

1to amplify and elevate the political and diplomatic objectives of international civil society

organizations working on ocean and climate issues. These issues include decarbonizing

shipping, expanding offshore renewables, implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework,

and strengthening the resiliency of the world’s ocean and coastal waters.

Adept at international political strategy, the Director will guide a set of targeted strategies and

oversee a grantmaking program that supports collaborative activities with leading civil society

organizations and campaigns, helping to advance a series of specific policy objectives from

international institutions and national governments. Grantmaking priorities will include

activities to:

Strengthen and support ocean and climate campaigns with unbranded communications,

grassroots capacity, and high-level political consultants;

Support specific policy outcomes on decarbonizing shipping, accelerating offshore

renewable energy, safeguarding the Arctic, and elevating a unified ocean-climate

agenda among other priorities.

Grow and advise a network of ocean climate champions drawn from government, civil

society, and business backgrounds.

Influence the outcomes of key international institutions and events; and,

Strengthen equitable implementation of the new Global Biodiversity Framework.

The OCDI Director will interact regularly with a global team of program managers with

geographic responsibilities for Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America, the

Caribbean, the Pacific Islands, and the high seas, while managing a number of high-level

consultants. The team implements a global strategy that is rooted firmly in local knowledge and

respect.

The OCDI Director is a full-time position that will also assist in preparing proposals, writing

progress reports, and helping with other organizational priorities. The position reports to the

Oceans 5 Executive Director and is based out of this person’s home office.

Deliverables, Responsibilities:

Develop and execute a global grantmaking strategy to advance a series of ocean and

climate policy outcomes to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change.

Manage the directed fund coordinating strategy and investments with the other funds

managed in Oceans 5.

Identify ocean and climate grantmaking opportunities, in collaboration with prospective

grantees, donors, government officials, and other stakeholders.

Build and maintain professional and collegial relationships with senior government

officials, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and other stakeholders.

Conduct oversight and monitoring of current and future grants.

Assist grantees in meeting their goals and objectives.

Maintain and further develop a portfolio of unbranded communications including

2traditional, digital and other media initiatives targeting policy outcomes.

Expand a network of ocean climate champions to support grantees and partners in

meeting their goals and objectives.

Develop regular reports and presentations for Oceans 5 Board meetings and donors to

the OCDI Advisory Committee.

Support other donors as necessary, including accompanying them on site visits.

Develop and maintain broad knowledge, as well as subject matter expertise, of the

science, policies, and politics of marine conservation and climate issues globally.

Understand and support Oceans 5 policies and approaches, including assistance with

media outreach, confidentiality, conflict of interests, security, ethics, and maintaining

organizational health.

Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree required. Graduate degree in law, public affairs, public policy,

international relations, or environmental science preferred.

A minimum of ten years of directly related professional and leadership experience in the

environment, conservation, natural resource, or public policy arena. Experience with

ocean conservation and climate issues, campaign development and coordination, and

professional advocacy preferred.

Proven project-management skills, including ability to handle several projects at

different stages simultaneously and a strong capacity to set priorities and identify

resources.

Strong written and oral communication skills with an ability to write and speak clearly

and cogently for internal audiences, policy makers, the media, and the public.

Demonstrated proficiency in managing project or organizational budgets to strategic

priorities.

Experience in principal and/or donor management.

Proficiency in English. Proficiency in at least one other position-related language

preferred.

Strong interpersonal skills, ability to develop and manage productive relationships with

the OCDI team, colleagues, consultants, and coalition partners. Excellent listening skills.

Exhibit strong skills of diplomacy with seasoned and sound judgment. Ability to work

productively with a wide array of different people, including senior level officials, and

institutions that frequently disagree with or are in competition with one another.

Demonstrated proficiency in use of software (Windows, Microsoft Word, Excel,

PowerPoint, and Outlook) and ability to learn or use technology for reports, meetings,

and grants management (Google Suite, Zoom, Fluxx, Monday.com, Slack, etc.).

Significant international travel will be expected.

Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA): Oceans 5 is a sponsored project of RPA, an equal

opportunities employer that values diversity at the organization. RPA does not discriminate on

the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status,

veteran status, or disability status. Compensation will be commensurate with experience and

3accomplishment. For prospective candidates from the United States, the salary range will be

$190,000 to $240,000, plus a competitive compensation and benefits package including health

coverage, retirement benefits, paid sick leave, vacation and holidays. For candidates from

outside the United States, comparable local market factors will be considered. RPA often uses

employers of record for foreign hires that provide comparable benefits.

How to Apply: To be considered, please complete this form (https://wkf.ms/4mtLf6u). You will

be asked to upload a cover letter, resume, and writing sample. Oceans 5 will accept applications

via this link until the position is filled. Thank you for your time and interest.