Head of Seaweed Program

Job Details

Lead MSC & ASC’s global strategy for the Seaweed Program 

• Lead creation of the next seaweed strategy to promote uptake of producer certification and market uptake. • Collaborate with senior staff to develop MSC/ASC’s value proposition for the seaweed sector. • Linked to the above, deliver an agreed seaweed workplan with associated budget and KPIs that support outreach and marketing by country teams that: 1. Engages with sector initiatives and meetings to strengthen stakeholder understanding of the seaweed standard, address key challenges and advise on seaweed priorities and messages 2. Leads the development and maintenance of MOUs and partnerships with global seaweed stakeholders, providing local support as needed to meet strategic objectives. 

Drive ASC & MSC policy and tool development, to deliver a relevant VP to the Seaweed sector 

• Support the review and enhancement of certification and licensing requirements for seaweed in collaboration with senior staff. • Serve as the global knowledge hub for MSC/ASC on the seaweed sector’s structure, development, and sustainability needs. 

Lead internal development of a Seaweed outreach practice 

• Develop and oversee a global framework for MSC/ASC teams to build relationships with seaweed sector actors and implement the strategy. • Ensure alignment with strategic and tactical objectives of MSC/ASC Strategic Plans. • Collaborate with training managers to establish seaweed standard training programs for CABs and MSC/ASC staff, providing support as needed. • Support MSC/ASC outreach teams in developing seaweed certification, marketing, and communication plans. • Manage the budget for seaweed activities, coordinating with marketing, communications, and training efforts. • Represent the MSC/ASC Seaweed Program in international forums on responsible seaweed; farming, sustainability, certification and eco-labelling. • Support seaweed sector engagement by empowering regional leads to manage key stakeholder relationships and implement action plans, including: - Seaweed sector mapping, local strategy development, and operationalization - Prioritizing sector outreach, servicing, and delegating responsibilities through account management. 

Internal relationships and responsibilities: 

• Collaborate with the MSC Asia Pacific Director and outreach leads to strengthen seaweed sector involvement in MSC/ASC program development. • Build key relationships across MSC/ASC functional programs that enhance seaweed sector engagement and management of the seaweed standard and related supply chain activities. • Establish governance for seaweed projects, ensuring clear roles and accountability for all participants. • Initially, no line management is expected, but if the program expands and resources allow, this role may manage dedicated outreach staff.

Requirements

Technical Skills, Qualifications & Experience

 • Post-graduate degree or equivalent experience in seaweed farming, natural resource management or marine conservation biology • Demonstrated knowledge of: • Seaweed Farming practices, processing and markets • Natural resource sustainability and management issues • Previous experience in program development, project management and financial management • Well-developed IT skills, including the use of standard software packages and tools supporting remote teamwork • Knowledge of the role of ecolabelling and other assurance systems would be an advantage. 

Relationship Management 

• Experience in managing and nurturing client relations with a demonstrable understanding of, and affinity for, the stakeholder-engaged processes operated by the MSC/ASC • Evidence of an ability to successfully manage relationships with colleagues, stakeholders and collaborators, and a people-centred approach to work is essential • Experience in building and mentoring project/matrix teams of staff with mixed backgrounds and experience and with geographically and culturally diverse members, working effectively with indirect reports to deliver targets essential • Ability to foster a positive, can-do attitude, across regional and HQ teams. 

Communications 

• Excellent spoken and written communication skills in English and either Japanese or Korean is essential • Presentation skills that can be tailored to suit a diverse range of stakeholders • Ability to represent the Seaweed Program at external events, including speaking at conferences and media interviews • Ability to work and communicate effectively across cultures and with colleagues from diverse backgrounds. 

Personal Attributes 

• Gravitas and confidence to gain the respect of MSC/ASC colleagues and external partners and stakeholders • Ability to identify risks to the reputation of the MSC/ASC and to respond strategically to these • Ability to influence, negotiate and problem-solve in a complex operational environment • Ability to demonstrate cultural awareness and sensitivity to the diversity of values, views and approaches to issues relevant to the MSC/ASC programs. • Actively supports the MSC/ASC’s visions, missions and values. 

Circumstances 

• Weekend work and some domestic and international travel may be required.

Contact Information

https://msc.current-vacancies.com/Jobs/DownloadDocument/1301259?cid=1970&pubid=3699329