Regional Lead, Seas, Micronesia

What We Can Achieve Together

The Regional Lead, High Seas will support the development and implementation of the High Seas Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Strategy to advance The Nature Conservancy’s global ocean goals through strategic engagement with governments, multilateral institutions, regional coalitions, conservation partners, and the private sector. The role will help shape and influence country- and regional-level policy and enabling environments to build support for effective area-based conservation and management in areas beyond national jurisdiction, leveraging opportunities under the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement and related ocean governance processes.

The Regional Lead will identify, cultivate, and engage country champions; lead or coordinate foundational assessments and analyses; and support the development of High Seas proposals for submission to the BBNJ Secretariat in collaboration with NGO, government, and institutional partners. As a member of the High Seas MPA Strategy Team, the role will bridge global strategy and regional implementation, ensuring alignment and coordination across global and country-level efforts.

Working with Micronesia-based staff, governments, and partners, the Regional Lead will support country-driven High Seas MPA processes and strategy development that reflect national priorities, governance contexts, and existing marine management efforts. The role will support government-led BBNJ proposals through coordination, analysis, stakeholder engagement, and decision-support materials. The position will also coordinate with the Micronesia Project Finance for Permanence initiative to align High Seas MPA efforts with broader regional conservation objectives, including 30x30 goals and effective marine management.

This position is based in the Micronesia region in locations where TNC is authorized to conduct work (the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Guam) with close coordination across country and regional teams. Consideration will also be given to qualified candidates based in Hawaii. This is a one-year, term-limited position with the opportunity to extend subject to availability of funding.

The Regional Lead, High Seas leads country- and regional-level engagement to advance High Seas MPAs and, where appropriate, other area-based conservation measures, building multi-stakeholder support across governments, regional bodies, industry, and civil society. Serving as the primary liaison between the Global High Seas MPA Strategy Team, regional TNC teams, and key stakeholders, the role translates global priorities into regional work streams and coordinates the development of proposals under the BBNJ Agreement.

Responsibilities include convening partners, identifying and engaging country champions, supporting fundraising efforts, and aligning scientific, policy, and political considerations.

The Regional Lead manages day-to-day implementation of regional activities, monitors political and policy developments, and identifies risks, bottlenecks, and capacity needs. The role supports strategic communications and knowledge sharing to strengthen awareness of High Seas MPAs and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs), while facilitating monitoring, evaluation, and learning across geographies. Working closely with the Global High Seas, Large-Scale Fisheries, and Micronesia PFP teams, the position ensures coordination across related initiatives and may provide limited support to complementary national marine conservation efforts as time permits.

The primary geographic focus is the Micronesia High Seas Pockets, with flexibility to pursue…