JOB DESCRIPTION
Role and Mission
The National Director, Oceans Program will lead CPAWS’ nationwide ocean conservation efforts, collaborate on regional oceans conservation campaigns, and undertake policy work, campaign planning, and government, Indigenous, and industry relations work to achieve conservation outcomes on ocean conservation. The National Director, Oceans Program will report to and be supervised by the National Executive Director and will direct and manage policy staff on our oceans team and be responsible for coordinating the oceans program for CPAWS across the country.

Duties will include:
Marine Protected Areas and Spatial Planning
Work collaboratively with chapter and national staff to ensure a coordinated approach and strategy to CPAWS’ work to achieve new marine protected areas in Canada, including under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity;
Work to ensure ambitious targets and protection standards for ocean protection nationally and globally post 2020;
Work to ensure that quantitative ocean protection targets are not met through relaxed qualitative measures/standards;
Undertake federal government and partner relations to help implement ocean program strategies;
Preparation of reports and analysis of ocean conservation progress internally and externally;
Monitor chapter progress and direct assistance when and where necessary in regard to campaign planning and strategy; and
Undertake strategic media relations as required.
Marine Species at Risk
Work collaboratively with chapter and national staff on the implementation of the federal Species at Risk Act as it applies to marine species and, where applicable, provincially;
Provide strategic direction and implementation of strategies to protect ocean-dependent species;
Involvement in recovery strategies for marine species where appropriate;
Providing content and communications materials for ocean species at risk; and
Undertake media relations and act as a spokesperson on marine species at risk, where appropriate.
Ocean Program Coordination and Management
Coordinate collaboration between chapters and national office to ensure consistency in message and a coordinated strategy on ocean conservation;
Manage and supervise ocean team conservation staff in CPAWS’ national office and coordinate the work of chapter ocean conservation staff as required;
Manage and supervise CPAWS’ participation in the September 2021 IMPAC5 International Marine Protected Areas conference, including hiring and directing staff and coordinating with representatives of the federal government and IUCN.
Government and Partner Relations
Coordination of all federal government relations related to CPAWS’ ocean program and campaign areas, including preparation of policy papers and briefs to federal Ministers, senior-level bureaucrats and political staff, and parliamentary standing committees;
Strategic advice and support for chapter level government relations activities related to ocean conservation;
Participation in lobbying activities related to ocean conservation and other CPAWS initiatives, where appropriate; and
Representing CPAWS in the Green Budget Coalition, SeaBlue, and other strategic conservation initiatives.
Funding Support
Undertake funder relations in order to develop opportunities for funding of the ocean program and other CPAWS work;
Work with the National Executive Director and other national office staff to identify and prepare grant applications, secure funding, and submit regular progress reports; and
Provide updates to major donors, monthly donors and others on conservation work and successes.
Other duties
Joint responsibility with other national staff to coordinate with CPAWS chapters to ensure an integrated approach;
Assist national office communications staff in developing strategies and content for communications materials, including CPAWS websites, media releases, print documents, direct mail, E-newsletters, etc.;
Assist the National Executive Director in administrative activities, including the refinement of the strategic planning process, development of CPAWS’ annual plan, and creation of detailed workplans;
Support the senior staff team in communicating CPAWS’ position in national initiatives;
Participate in staff meetings, retreats, and events; and
Other duties as assigned by the National Executive Director.

Skills and Competencies
The successful candidate will:
Be passionate about protecting Canada’s oceans and marine species at risk;
Demonstrate extensive knowledge and experience working on ocean conservation issues in Canada and globally;
Have at least 10 years experience in ocean conservation in the not-for-profit sector and/or government, including:
expertise in planning and managing campaigns;
directing and managing staff, including hiring and conducting performance reviews; and
planning and reporting to upper management and boards of directors;
Demonstrate extensive experience with federal government relations;
Demonstrate excellent communications, organization, managerial, and budgeting skills;
Demonstrate proven interpersonal and relationship-building skills, including the ability to work as part of an executive leadership team; and
Have the ability and flexibility to travel nationally.

Qualifications:
Advanced graduate degree in policy, conservation, biology, ecology, resource management, environmental sciences, or a related field, especially if relevant to ocean issues;
Demonstrated professional experience in ocean conservation, with progressive management experience (10 years minimum);
Demonstrated professional experience with federal government relations, industry, and Indigenous issues in Canada;
A working knowledge of both official languages; and
Eligible to work in Canada.

Application Submission
Please submit a cover letter and resume saved in PDF format with the following nomenclature: “YOUR NAME_Application for National Director, Oceans Program”
Submit applications by email to employment@cpaws.org with the subject line: Application for National Director, Oceans Program.