Director, IUCN Global Ocean and Regenerative Blue Economy Team

Director, IUCN Global Ocean and Regenerative Blue Economy Team

The Director, IUCN Global Ocean and Regenerative Blue Economy Team ("the Director") is responsible for the implementation of the IUCN Programme in respect of the Ocean and the achievement of relevant programmatic outputs through developing, planning, aligning and implementing the Ocean Team’s overall multi‑year operations and business plan.

A key element of this strategic leadership role is the establishment of integrated and effective annual workplans, budgets and workforce plans, and ensuring that all responsible staff clearly understand and are accountable for their roles in their delivery. The Director will pursue effective programme management and coordination, in collaboration with Centres and Teams as well as ocean focal points in regional offices and IUCN Commissions.

The Director is part of the IUCN Ocean senior coordination group involving the Director of the Centre for Conservation Action, the Director of the Centre for Policy and Law, the Director of IUCN Global Ocean Policy, and other senior managers as required. Differentiated management and operational roles allow the Director to focus on Ocean and Regenerative Blue Economy strategy, management and project portfolio priorities, while the Director for IUCN Global Ocean Policy focuses on ocean policy without direct implementation, management or operational responsibilities.

In addition, the Director’s work will be closely integrated with other programmes concerned with scaling up conservation on land and freshwater, and especially through effective area‑based conservation measures in the ocean, coastal zones and polar regions.

The Director is responsible for developing IUCN’s overall ocean conservation strategy in conjunction with other programme Centres and the IUCN Regions. They are principally responsible for building and maintaining a financially and technically sustainable project portfolio that secures the resources to maintain and develop the Ocean Team’s capacity.

The Director undertakes the efficient and effective management of projects and partnerships led by the Team in accordance with the relevant contracts and agreements, including technical and financial reporting.

The Director is fully responsible for the recruitment, organization, direct and indirect management and supervision of all staff in the Ocean Team to carry out their assigned duties, and to develop the team and the individual staff to reach their potential through mentorship and support, in accordance with IUCN’s conditions of service and all human resources policies and procedures.

The Director is accountable for adherence to project design, preparation and approval procedures and for updating and maintaining the project portal including indicators and results required for monitoring, evaluation and reporting.

The Director is also responsible for applying all of IUCN’s policies and guidelines on planning, budgeting and financial management that achieve full cost recovery, and generates surplus revenues that support the overall management of the Team and Centre, and allow for innovative investment in portfolio growth and income.

The vision for the Director Global Ocean and Regenerative Blue Economy Team is to contribute towards greater consolidation of the Centre for Conservation Action with a smaller number of sub‑units. The initial focus is on stabilizing and setting the foundation for an expanded Global Ocean Team, supporting greater integration with the Protected, Conserved and Heritage Area Teams, and pursuing joint and collaborative programmes of work, especially leading to the International Marine Protected Areas Congress in March 2027, and the IUCN Protected and Conserved Area Congress in September 2027.

These initiatives will influence the global ocean conservation agenda in 2030 and beyond.

The Director will work closely and in a mutually supportive way with their Cluster Manager as their direct line manager, and in collaboration with the Director of CCA.

• Consult regularly and deploy the advice of the Director Centre for Conservation Action, the Director…