The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is the nation's most effective environmental action organization. We use law, science and the support of 3.1 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things. NRDC was founded in 1970 and our staff helped write some of America's bedrock environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act, and many of the implementing regulations; our water enforcement cases played a major role shaping current water policy throughout the country. Today, our staff of more than 500 lawyers, scientists, economists, policy and communications experts, and others, work out of offices in New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Bozeman, Montana, and Beijing. 

Position Summary 

As the Oceans Sector’s Senior High Seas Advocate, this position will be responsible for leading NRDC’s work to promote robust implementation of the new high seas treaty through advocacy at the United Nations and in other fora.  

This position reports to the High Seas Director, Oceans Division in the Nature Program. 

This is a full-time, two-year limited term role. 

The position you are applying for is part of the bargaining unit represented by The Washington Baltimore News Guild (WBNG / The Newsguild-CWA Local 32035).  

Responsibilities 

This position will plan and execute advocacy strategies for full, rapid and effective implementation of the new High Seas Treaty.  The Senior High Seas Advocate will identify critical strategic opportunities to advance the goals of the High Seas Project (Project) and will develop and implement strategies to take advantage of those opportunities. The Senior High Seas Advocate will also inform and help implement the priorities of the Project more generally, including assisting with fundraising, communications, budgeting and building the visibility of NRDC and its work on these issues. This position reports to the Director, High Seas Project, Oceans in the Nature Program. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS  

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions: 

• Develop and implement strategies to advance effective implementation of the High Seas Treaty at the United Nations and in other international fora;  
• Contributing to the development and execution of a strategic vision for NRDC’s portfolio of work to promote conservation of the high seas;  
• Serving as the point of contact for NRDC’s work at the United Nations and related international fora to effectively implement the High Seas Treaty both externally and internally;  
• Working with Development to help maintain relationships with current donors for the Project, assist with drafting of funding proposals and reports;  
• Collaborating with NRDC colleagues on a range of issues as they relate to high seas conservation;  
• Building and maintaining effective relationships with policymakers at all levels and partner NGOs essential to advancing the priorities of the Project;  
• Assist in communications for the Project.  

The above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position’s responsibility. Other duties may be assigned.  

Minimum Education & Experience:   

• Bachelor’s degree in International Relations.  Master’s degree strongly preferred 
• 7+ years’ experience in international ocean advocacy 
• Training in and/or experience with the UN Law of the Sea and its implementing agreements preferred. 

Skills, Abilities, Competencies  

• Excellent written and oral communications skills 
• Ability to travel internationally approximately 10-20% 
• Experience with interacting with representatives of governments, international institutions and bodies, NGOs, scientists and coalitions; 
• Experience in developing and executing advocacy strategies in conjunction with coalition partners; 
• Ability to travel to NRDC U.S. based offices, approximately 10-15% annually 
• Commitment to NRDC’s mission, values, and DEI principles 

NRDC is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our work and in our workplace. We believe that celebrating and actively welcoming diverse voices and perspectives is essential to solving the planet's most pressing environmental problems, and we encourage applications from candidates whose identities have been historically under-represented in the environmental movement. 

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.  

We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and is commensurate with skills and experience. Internal equity will be reviewed and considered to determine a final offer. For this position, the salary range is $130,000 to $150,000.  

NRDC operates under a hybrid work model. Employees are required to come to the office 8 days per month. 

As a science-based organization, NRDC aims to do our part to help contain the COVID-19 public health crisis. For the sake of health, safety, and equity, we ask that people be vaccinated unless they have an approved medical or religious accommodation or other exemption in accordance with state and local law. We consider a person to be vaccinated two weeks after receiving one full course of a CDC-approved vaccine. In accordance with state or local law, new hires will be asked to attest to vaccination, those wishing to do so may request medical or religious accommodations or other exemptions via NRDC Employee Relations. NRDC treats all vaccine-related data confidentially, in keeping with local, state, and federal laws. 

To apply, visit www.nrdc.org/careers and upload your résumé and cover letter. Please mention where you saw this posting and upload any additional materials that showcase your abilities. Due to the high volume of applications, we will contact only those candidates we would like to interview. Please no phone calls, emails, or in-person résumé drop-offs. 

If you experience technical problems while applying or if you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying online, please reach out to iCIMS Customer Care at 1-800-889-4422. 

For more about NRDC, visit www.nrdc.org.