Country Officer - Vietnam

Country Officer | Africa - Gabon

Global Fishing Watch is an international, non-profit organization committed to advancing ocean governance through increased transparency. We create and publicly share knowledge about human activity at sea to enable fair and sustainable use of our ocean. Founded in 2015 through a collaboration between Oceana, SkyTruth, and Google, GFW became an independent non-profit organization in June 2017.

Using cutting-edge technology, we create and publicly share map visualizations, data and analysis tools to enable scientific research and drive a transformation in how we manage our ocean. Our major focus is on commercial fishing because it is the most widespread human activity at sea, the most impactful on ocean health, and the most crucial for global livelihoods and food security.

By 2030, we aim to monitor and visualize the impact of ocean-going vessels, both industrial and small-scale, that are responsible for the vast majority of the global seafood catch. We believe human activity at sea should be common knowledge in order to safeguard the global ocean commons for the common good of all. 

The Position

The Country Officer will advance our key objectives in Viet Nam, specifically around transparency, policy and government action outcomes. The Officer will work with the regional team and Viet Nam local implementing partners to oversee and deploy a suite of interventions around an agreed work plan with the government and stakeholders that will deliver specified outcomes. The primary responsibilities will involve advancing our organization's mission centered around transparency as a key governance principle. The Officer will assist Viet Nam in championing transparency through drafting briefs and proposals, coordinating meetings, and engaging with national stakeholders. The Officer will work with the regional analysis teams to deploy the needed reports and insights to inform government actions. They will serve as the key representative of GFW in-country.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Primary responsible for the successful development and implementation of the country work plan to achieve our policy, transparency and government action outcomes

Policy Development and Analysis:

• Work with Global Fishing Watch’s regional teams and local implementing partners to draft policy recommendations and legal specifications for changes to fisheries and biodiversity-related policies and programs, ensuring alignment with the organization's advocacy goals.
• Proactively stay abreast of relevant national and international political developments, policy landscape, and emerging issues in the fisheries and biodiversity sector, including the conduct of policy research and insights.
• Provide timely updates to internal teams on key policy developments and their potential implications for the organization's advocacy work.
• Identify policy opportunities/ windows and advance them by working through partnerships and governments.

Government Actions

• Work with the regional team to deploy a suite of interventions to support the achievement of the identified areas of work around fisheries and biodiversity.
• Proactively staying updated on relevant national and international opportunities, developments and emerging issues of the country related to their flag, coastal and port responsibilities.
• Provide timely updates to internal teams on news, trends and key policy and administrative developments and their potential implications in advancing government action outcomes in the country.
• Strategically engage with relevant stakeholders in the country, identifying opportunities and approaches for collaboration or partnerships to advance government action outcomes in the country. 

Transparency

• Monitor the latest and most relevant news, issues, developments and trends that have potential implications to GFW’s national and international transparency objectives and initiatives.
• Coordinate with and provide briefings to internal teams on key opportunities, developments and emerging issues that could impede or advance transparency outcomes in the country.
• Actively seek opportunities to advance, in principle and practice, transparency of vessel information and other ocean-related data of the country or region.
• Collaborate with the regional and global teams to strategize on approaches to assessing issues and opportunities, framing engagements and interventions, and packaging the delivery of the transparency initiatives in the country.
• Work closely with the national government, including multiple Ministries / Departments, and civil society to advance transparency for ocean governance.

Capacity Building:

• Organize and deliver meetings, seminars, and training sessions to build stakeholders' capacity on fisheries and biodiversity-related issues.

Candidate description

Required:

1. University degree required.
2. At least five years of relevant professional experience working in public policy, public affairs, or political work.
3. Good understanding of Viet Nam political and regulative processes.
4. Native Vietnamese and proficient in English language skills.
5. Knowledge of fisheries management and experience in liaising with government stakeholders on fisheries issues.
6. Experience working with current and evolving political, sustainability, and/or conservation trends.
7. Excellent research skills, proven experience in drafting policy documents and reports, and ability to translate complex scientific concepts. 
8. Proven ability to engage constructively and develop relationships to secure influence with governments and civil society.
9. Excellent diplomatic skills, including working and communicating effectively with a broad spectrum of individuals within various cultural environments.
10. A good self-starter, able to spot opportunities and act on initiative.
11. A desire to strive for continuous improvement by seeking and sharing feedback appropriately and respectfully.

Preferred:

• Master's degree
• A sound understanding of marine spatial planning and marine conservation is an asset.

The successful candidate will meet most, but not necessarily all, of the criteria above. If you don’t think you check all the boxes, but believe you have unique skills that make you a great fit for the role, we want to hear from you!

Additional Information:

Reporting to: Policy Officer, Asia.

Location: Remote position in Vietnam; preferred location is Hanoi; other locations in the country will be considered.

Term: Full Time - 2 Year Contract with possibility for additional 1-year extension

Hiring Process:  If selected for consideration, the hiring process for this position will include a 30 minute interview with our Talent Acquisition Manager, a formal 60 minute interview with 2-3 staff, a brief take home assignment, and a final 60 minute review of your assignment/final interview with 2-3 team members.

Applications must be received by July 8, 2024

Working Hours:  Global Fishing Watch supports flexible working, so the pattern of hours may vary according to operational and personal needs. The position will be part of a global team spanning many different time zones and so the candidate must be able to accommodate regular early/late meetings to be able to work effectively. Weekend work may be required on occasion. The post holder may be required to undertake regional and international travel. No overtime is payable.

Compensation:  For reference; The range for a Vietnam-based contractor is $18-$25 USD per hour. Rate is commensurate with experience.

Equal opportunities: Global Fishing Watch is an equal opportunities employer. Global Fishing Watch is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within our organization and in the greater ocean management and conservation community. We believe that diverse backgrounds, skills, knowledge and viewpoints make us a stronger organization. Bringing together professionals who possess broad experiences and a spectrum of perspectives will enable us to reach our goal of improved ocean governance faster. We hire and promote qualified professionals without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or parental status, national origin, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Our organizational goals match the urgent challenges facing our global ocean, and our mission is designed to help secure a healthy ocean for all. We are committed to building a workforce that is representative of humanity’s diversity, by providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees of Global Fishing Watch and for our partners, vendors, suppliers and contractors.