Position: Deputy Director

Reports to: GTA Executive Director (Tom Pickerell tom@globaltunaalliance.com)

Supervises: N/A

Location: Home-based

Type of contract: Self-Employed (10 days a month; 1 year, with the possibility of renewal)

I. Introduction

About the Global Tuna Alliance

The Global Tuna Alliance (GTA) is an independent group of retailers and tuna supply chain companies that are committed to avoidance of IUU products, improved traceability as well as environmental sustainability, and progressing work on human rights in tuna fisheries. GTA operates by utilizing commercial buying power to leverage policy change through direct engagement with tuna fishery managers/decision-makers, and through supply-chain actions.

Vision – tuna ultimately meets the highest standards of environmental performance and social responsibility

Tuna Fisheries Management

Tuna fisheries on the high seas are managed by regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs). RFMOs are an essential component in tuna fisheries sustainability and the delegates are the primary audience we need to engage with.

RFMO delegates are, to varying degrees, flexible and open to influence through lobbying. This is evident by the substantive engagement of the catching sector in RFMOs, both on flag State delegations and as observers. In comparison, the influence of retailers and other supply chain members has historically been less significant.

The GTA believes there is real scope for tuna retailers, brands, processors, and traders to play a greater role in communicating with the RFMO decision-makers in order to ensure that our vision is achieved.

II. Role Functions

The GTA is looking for a dynamic and well-connected Deputy Director in order to support the Executive Director in delivery of our 5-year strategy and grow and develop new partner relationships. This will also encompass recruitment of signatories to the 2025 Pledge towards Sustainable Tuna (25PST) in collaboration with the team at Friends of Ocean Action and World Economic Forum.

You will also support the Executive Director in GTA engagement efforts with tuna RFMOs (leading our work at IATTC and ICCAT) and the provision of engagement resources to GTA Partners for these forums.

You’ll be an excellent all-round communicator with the ability to consider opportunities to recruit new partners and a good understanding of tuna fisheries and/or RFMOs. You will have a positive attitude and experience of achieving within a remote-work environment.

III. Main Responsibilities

• Provide support to the Executive Director to ensure the effective implementation of the GTA 5-year strategy;
• Organize webinars, seminars and other meetings as directed;
• Represent the GTA at meetings, multilateral forums, conferences, and other events, as needed and as determined by the Executive Director;
• Work with our communication consultants to promote GTA positions;
• Research, draft and/or proof policy briefs, fact sheets, web content, and other internal and external materials;
• Seek external funding opportunities for GTA and support applications.

Partnership responsibilities and tasks will be primarily to:

• Deliver stakeholder mapping exercise to identify which companies should be priorities;
• Develop a partnership engagement plan to grow partnership base and 25PST signatories;
• Lead outreach efforts via the engagement plan (including remotely and attendance at trade shows etc.);
• Encourage partner interaction, including engaging with decision-makers;
• Prepare analysis and reports on Partnership for the Executive Director and Management Board as necessary.

Outreach responsibilities and tasks will be primarily to:

• Represent the GTA at ICCAT and IATTC;
• Developing engagement resources for Partners for ICCAT and IATTC engagement;
• Maintain oversight of relevant internal processes associated with this outreach.

IV. Required qualifications, skills and competencies

• Committed to the ethos and principles of GTA;
• Effective and clear communication skills in writing and verbally in English (other languages an advantage)
• High-level interpersonal and networking skills;
• Willingness to pick up the phone to promote the GTA to external retailers, partners and governments;
• The ability to work in a systematic way with a minimum of direction.

V. Desirable qualifications, skills and competencies

• Advanced degree in marine resource management/marine biology or a related field preferably related to the impact of fishing on the environment or equivalent fisheries management experience;
• At least 3 years’ experience in RFMO engagement;
• Demonstrable experience in engaging supply chain sectors related to fisheries;
• Demonstrable knowledge of tuna fisheries and conservation strategies for sustainable fisheries management;
• Proven track record establishing connections with strategic stakeholders with high levels of professionalism.

VI. Travel

• Some domestic and international travel anticipated (consistent with COVID-19 safety protocols). Travel may cross weekends and, on occasion, holidays to accommodate meeting schedules.

VII. Contract

• For the Services rendered, the Deputy Director shall receive a service fee of up to £320/day net up to a maximum of 10 man-days per calendar month, payable upon receipt of an invoice.

How to Apply

Submit the following to Dr Tom Pickerell (tom@globaltunaalliance.com)

• A one-page cover letter outlining how your skills, experience and knowledge directly address the responsibilities and requirements detailed in the job specification.
• Your current CV

The closing date is Friday 23rd July 2021 @9:00am (BST)

Interviews will take place in early August.

The GTA aims to recruit a talented workforce and values the diversity in background, skills and experience of its staff. We are committed to providing equality of opportunity for all job applicants, irrespective of background.