Director, IUCN Global Ocean and Regenerative Blue Economy Team

Director, IUCN Global Ocean and Regenerative Blue Economy Team

Vacancy #: 7465
Unit:
Ocean
Organization:
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Location:

Headquarters, Gland, Switzerland
Reporting to:
Director, IUCN Centre for Conservation Action
Work percentage: 100%
Grade: M2
Expected start date: 01 November 2026
Type of contract:
Max-term (up to 24 months with possibility of renewal)
Closing date: 15 January 2026

The work of the IUCN Global Ocean and Regenerative Blue Economy Team (“Global Ocean Team”) focuses on ensuring scaled‑up conservation outcomes for the ocean, including through effective area‑based conservation measures, aiming to conserve all ocean and coastal areas of particular importance for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services, and to mainstream the protection and restoration of biodiversity into nature‑positive social and economic development trajectories.

The Team also aims to address threats and pressures to conservation and societal well‑being in the ocean and polar realms, including from climate change, marine plastic pollution, extractive industries, and ocean acidification, and to develop and promote feasible solutions, supported by scientific knowledge.

A strong focus is on achieving the IUCN transformative outcome for a regenerative blue economy, taking account of sustainable resource use including fisheries and non‑consumptive uses, and ensuring environmental and economic circularity concerning existing and new uses of the ocean. The Global Ocean Team brings an expanding portfolio of projects and initiatives to address the main objectives of IUCN’s Nature 2030 Programme, including IUCN’s Programme 2026‑2029, to achieve policy, public funding and implementation of the global agenda to conserve the world’s ocean.

As the leader of IUCN Global Ocean Team, the Director is responsible for 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 staff clearly understand and are accountable for their role in delivery.

The Director will pursue effective programme management and coordination, in collaboration with Centres, Teams and ocean focal points in regional offices and IUCN Commissions.

The Director is part of the IUCN Ocean senior coordination group involving Director Centre for Conservation Action, Director Centre for Policy and Law, Director IUCN Global Ocean Policy and other senior managers. In addition, work will be closely integrated with programmes concerned with scaling up conservation on land and freshwater, 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, building and maintaining a financially and technically sustainable project portfolio, managing projects and partnerships, recruiting and supervising all staff, ensuring adherence to project design and reporting, and applying all IUCN policies on planning, budgeting and financial management. The Director will also support greater integration with the Protected, Conserved and Heritage Area Teams, lead joint programmes of work, and influence the global ocean conservation agenda beyond 2030.

• Consult regularly with the Director Centre for Conservation Action, the Director Protected, Conserved and Heritage Areas, the Centre Cluster Manager, and the Deputy Director General on IUCN programmatic strategy and directions.
• Work proactively with the Director, Centre for Policy and Law and the Director, IUCN Ocean Policy to support effective messaging and engagement in relevant international meetings.
• Coordinate portfolio development and resource mobilisation, managing the Ocean Team project portfolio to ensure a balanced and sustainable programme of work.
• Recruit,…