Advisor, Ocean Conservation, Natural Ecosystems

Minderoo Foundation takes on tough, persistent issues with the potential to drive massive change. We incubate ideas, advocate for systems change and accelerate impact. We push the limits of what is believed possible.

Minderoo Foundation is proudly Australian, independent, forward thinking and seeks effective, scalable solutions. Through bold, collaborative and selfless action, we seek to dismantle the systems that entrench inequality and advocate for a fairer future.

A society that values all people and natural ecosystems. We will do this by uplifting communities, supporting gender equality, protecting natural ecosystems and responding to emerging threats and challenges.

The current Natural Ecosystems Focus Area drives Minderoo's work in environment and conservation. It is dedicated to restoring and maintaining healthy ecosystems, safeguarded for all generations, focusing on the Indo-Pacific region and through our global influence. The 2030 Strategy targets this outcome for Australia and its neighbours, as we strive to act locally and think globally. Our approach emphasises the necessity of applying the Precautionary Principle to protect against serious and irreversible damage to our ecosystems and minimising climate change as a threat multiplier. We will protect and restore our natural ecosystems by fostering legislation, supporting research and development in science and technology, and developing sustainable financial models to balance the needs of our beneficiaries. We will overcome the climate challenge by supporting policy development, public education on climate urgency and demonstrating what a successful transition looks like domestically.

Reporting to the Head of Biodiversity & Habitats, you will actively contribute to a high-performing team, driving impact by working efficiently, collaborating closely with other Focus & Enabler areas as part of our matrix structure and championing our One Minderoo Culture. Focusing where applicable on partners, stakeholders and beneficiaries to execute a content strategy aligned with Minderoo's strategic goals.

As Advisor, Ocean Conservation, your role is to drive end to end management of collaborations, from undertaking research on prospective partners, interpreting and communicating partnership insights, systems management, and reporting.

This role combines biodiversity conservation expertise with strategic collaboration management, ensuring our initiatives are grounded in sound scientific research and aligned with our mission to protect and enhance biodiversity and habitats globally.

You will:

• Work with Ocean Action team members to establish, manage, maintain and track collaboration data.
• Monitor activities carried out under collaborations, partnership agreements, including progress to milestones, reporting, learning outcomes.
• Drive landscape analyses for the team, including stakeholder mapping and co-designing initiatives with partners.
• Distil and analyse collaboration insights, working in close collaboration with Impact and Advocacy teams to measure and communicate impact.
• Research and report on industry trends, regularly updating the team on the latest activities and developments of Partners and organisations within the conservation space and environmental space both domestically and abroad.
• Support the Head of Biodiversity and Habitats to connect and deliver Projects across the Body of Work to ensure a net positive impact for our beneficiaries.
• Support the Head of Biodiversity & Habitats to prepare for internal reporting and documentation including business cases, impact strategy and measurement, reporting and budget management.
• Building and maintain trusting and effective relationships with partners at national and global levels.

You Will Bring

• Proven experience in improving outcomes and impact working within a Partnerships environment.
• Experience in marine protected area planning and/or implementation, conservation project management, with a focus on climate change, marine or environmental science projects.
• Demonstrated knowledge of related issues and understanding of the complexity and challenges associated with biodiversity in marine habitats.
• A bachelor's degree in Marine Science, Environmental Science, or similar, Masters preferred, with at least 5 years relevant working experience.
• Proven expertise and practical experience in ocean policy-related areas such as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), Deep Sea Mining (DSM), the high seas treaty (BBNJ), and Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), or other aspects of ocean governance.
• Familiarity with international policy processes, multilateral negotiations, or regional marine conservation frameworks will be highly regarded.

Next Steps

Please attach your resume and a cover letter explaining why you are interested in this opportunity.

We reserve the right to extend closing date and/or close applications early should a suitable candidate be identified. We may progress with interviews whilst advertising remains open.

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