Ocean Policy Officer (US, UK, Switzerland)

Position description

$62,220.00/yr - $95,404.00/yr

Position: Ocean Policy Officer

Location: Hybrid / Remote. Candidates must be based in the USA, UK, or Switzerland and have the legal right to work in the location where they are applying. The successful candidate should be comfortable with a flexible, hybrid role which will include a combination of work from home and co-working space depending on location. This role will require travel.

Hours: Full-time

Closing date for applications: Rolling

 

Remuneration: Competitive salary and benefits package provided, including unlimited leave policy and flexible working arrangements. Benefits and compensation vary based on location. Expected salary ranges for this position are:

 

·        USA: $62,220 – 95,404

·        UK: £32,690 – 56,650

·        Switzerland: CHF 63,207 – 94,073

 

BACKGROUND

 

Independent Diplomat (ID) is a unique non‐profit venture in the world of international relations, diplomacy and conflict prevention. Staffed by former diplomats, international lawyers and experts in international relations, ID offers independent and confidential advice and assistance on diplomatic technique and strategy to governments, political groups, international institutions, and non‐governmental organizations. Our vision is to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable diplomatic system that responds to the needs and priorities of those most affected by crises and conflicts.

 

ID has a strong record in multilateral diplomacy, including through our work advising the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) at the highest level since 2009. This partnership has helped support the low-lying island state in transforming itself into one of the most influential climate leaders on the international stage. We have also supported other small island developing states, including Vanuatu, to influence global cyber negotiations.

 

ID’S OCEAN PROJECT

 

Since 2024, we have been establishing a new project within ID, providing diplomatic support to an international collaborative working on the policy overlap between oceans and climate change – spanning ocean-based climate mitigation (offshore wind, decarbonising shipping, protecting blue carbon, marine carbon dioxide removal), coastal resilience (near-shore protections and tenure rights for local communities over oceans) and the needs of specific regions (the arctic) in responding to a changing climate and ocean degradation.

 

ID’s role is to set up and manage a network of champions (such as former heads of state, other politicians and diplomats, senior business leaders etc.) to amplify these issues through their meetings, speeches, media engagement and events, and to use their positions to influence outcomes that support ocean-based climate action.

 

We are now seeking a new diplomatic officer to support this work. Working to the Project Manager of the Ocean-Climate Project, you will help to onboard approximately 10 champions. You will work directly with these champions and help to propose their work programmes – which will be a mix of multilateral engagement, speeches and roundtables, bi-lateral meetings, and media engagement in consultation. You will ensure champions are thoroughly briefed to get the most out of their engagements, both with written and oral briefings, as well as accompanying the champions to some engagements. Supporting them with logistics will also be a key element of the role.

 

The Champions’ work will be guided by the policy priorities of the Ocean Resilience and Climate Alliance: a philanthropic initiative that is providing a surge of more than $300 million towards ocean-climate solutions. Central to your work will be maintaining strong relationships across this program (which involves more than 20 different delivery partners across six policy pillars), to ensure that the champions are well briefed on the priorities of the delivery partners, and that their engagement is providing strategic value to the program.

 

The role will include:

• Advising on diplomatic engagement. You will provide advice on what engagements best support the objectives of the ORCA program, and turn this into detailed programs of work for the champions, which could include making use of multilateral fora (e.g. negotiations focussed on oceans, biodiversity, climate or related topics) as well as influencing decision makers bilaterally and through media and events
• Formulating and delivering policy advice and briefings: You will develop and maintain an in-depth understanding of the policy priorities of the ORCA program, and the stakeholders and decision makers involved in this space. You will provide the champions with background research and analysis, briefing notes, and oral briefings to maximise their impact.
• Senior staffing: You will work directly with very senior champions, building a relationship of trust with these leaders to support them in their engagements, brief them, accompany them to meetings as needed, and follow up on actions.
• Relationship management: It is essential that the work of the Champions supports the strategic objectives of this program, which consists of a broad network of delivery partners. Your role will include building and maintaining the relationships across this program, ensuring that the work of champions is well rooted in the evolving needs of these delivery partners, and supporting the development and maintenance of products such as core scripts, dashboards, and readouts that ensure the program and champions remain connected.
• Public diplomacy: You will provide support on communications and media engagement, including advising on messaging, outreach to media contacts, and social media to maximise the impact of the champions’ work.
• Project management, including project planning, monitoring project progress reporting to the client etc.
• Logistics support, including coordinating agendas, booking flights and hotels, etc. We’re a small team, so everyone chips in on these types of tasks.
• Fundraising: all staff are expected to support efforts to secure the funding required to sustain our work.

 

REQUIREMENTS

• 5-10 years of direct experience working in climate and/or ocean conservation policy and/or diplomacy, including a demonstrable understanding of political dynamics and stakeholders. We also encourage those with fewer years of direct experience (3-5 years) to apply if they can demonstrate relevant experience for the role;
• Excellent writing and communication skills, including the ability to brief effectively in writing and in person, and an ability to handle complex information confidently;
• Confidence working with senior leaders and a solid understanding of what support they require; experience staffing senior leaders, such as politicians or diplomats would be a significant asset for this role;
• A strong understanding of the links between ocean conservation and climate change. Experience on one or more of the topics of the ORCA program – offshore wind, maritime decarbonisation, blue carbon ecosystems, near-shore ocean protections, arctic ocean protections, and marine carbon sequestration – would be an asset; we also welcome applications from those with experience in adjacent or related areas of environmental policy;  
• A proven record in delivering outcomes, ideally in an international setting;
• Personable and creative self-motivator with a strong work ethic, and a willingness to work flexibly with a geographically diverse team;
• Fluency in English; other languages may be an asset;
• A relevant university degree;
• Commitment to Independent Diplomat’s mission;

 

We are a small and nimble team, and the successful candidate will bring enthusiasm and flexibility to the role. Candidates with experience and skills in some but not all of the areas above are encouraged to apply.

Independent Diplomat is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions based on qualification and merit. Our objective is to encourage diversity and have the best available person in every job. ID’s policy prohibits discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, sex (including pregnancy), religion, marital status, familial status, age, alienage or citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, military status, domestic violence victim status or any other unlawful consideration.

 

Application instructions

Please send applications to [email protected] and reference “Oceans Policy Officer” in the subject line. Applications should include a CV and a succinct letter detailing your interest in, and qualifications for the position. The CV should include the names and contact details of two references. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Due to volume, all applications will not be acknowledged, but those chosen for interviews will be contacted further. The identity of applicants will be held in strictest confidence. No phone calls please.

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