Equality
Inclusion
Respect

Adviser, Ocean Governance

Salary £84,705 + benefits
Location London, UK
Mergefield Title {Mergefield Value}
Mergefield Title {Mergefield Value}

This is a {Advertised Permanent / Temporary}, {Advertised Full Time / Part Time} vacancy that will close in {x} days at {xx:xx} BST.

The vacancy

The Commonwealth Secretariat is seeking to appoint an Adviser, Ocean Governance within its Climate Change and Oceans Division. The Division leads the Secretariat’s work on environmental resilience, bringing together programmes on climate change and oceans to support member countries to build environmental, political and economic resilience.

The Ocean Section supports delivery of the Commonwealth Secretariat Strategic Plan 2025–2030 by advancing work on environmental resilience and ocean conservation. Its portfolio includes the Ocean Incubator, the Commonwealth Blue Charter Action Groups, the Blue Finance Group delivered in partnership with ORRAA and bilateral technical assistance on maritime boundaries and the BBNJ Agreement

Reporting to the Head of Oceans, the post-holder will be responsible for delivering specialised strategic, policy, technical, economic and/or legal advice to Commonwealth member governments on ocean governance. This may include advice on the BBNJ Agreement, maritime boundaries, ocean policies and maritime transportation policies. Please note that the role involves frequent overseas travel.

Other responsibilities for this role include (but are not limited to):

  • Providing advice to Commonwealth member countries to support the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement, determination of maritime boundaries, development of ocean policies, and development of maritime transportation policies;
  • Undertaking analytical work for member countries, including policy reviews, legal gap analyses and drafting policies to strengthen ocean governance;
  • Managing technical assistance projects by defining project parameters, securing approvals, developing and monitoring budgets, reporting on implementation and performance, and working effectively in multi-disciplinary project teams;
  • Proactively managing relationships with government officials and other stakeholders in those Commonwealth member countries receiving technical assistance from the Ocean Section;
  • Developing strategic partnerships and initiatives with multilateral and bilateral agencies, and maintaining contact with senior government officials, investors and other international agencies; and
  • Contributing to international seminars, conferences, expert group meetings and ministerial meetings, assisting with events on ocean governance, and providing technical inputs to support grants to countries on ocean governance.

To be considered, you will need a post-graduate degree in a relevant area of specialisation, such as ocean law, ocean governance, environmental economics, marine biology or a similar field. You will also need at least 10 years of experience advising senior counterparts on ocean governance, including at least five years’ experience in one or more of the following areas: the BBNJ Agreement, maritime boundaries, ocean policies and/or maritime transportation policies. A PhD, law degree, or experience organising conferences or workshops would be advantageous.

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 member governments and provides guidance on policymaking, technical assistance and advisory services to Commonwealth member countries.  We support governments to help achieve sustainable, inclusive and equitable development.

Please apply by submitting a CV and cover letter. Covering letters should be structured to address the key criteria required in the person specification, giving clear examples.

To join us, you must be a citizen of a Commonwealth country.

 

 

 

About us

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries.

It is home to 2.5 billion people, and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. 33 of our members are small states, including many island nations.

Our member governments have agreed to shared goals like development, democracy and peace. Our values and principles are expressed in the Commonwealth Charter.

The Commonwealth's roots go back to the British Empire. But today any country can join the modern Commonwealth. The last two countries to join the Commonwealth were Gabon and Togo in 2022.

Vision & mission

The Commonwealth Secretariat is the intergovernmental organisation that supports member countries to achieve the Commonwealth's aims of development, democracy and peace.

We:

  • are a voice for small and vulnerable states
  • champion young people
  • promote justice and human rights
  • address threats like climate change, debt and inequality
  • help grow economies and boost trade
  • support decision-makers to make good laws and deliver policies
  • help strengthen governance and build inclusive public institutions
  • provide technical help and training
  • send experts and observers to countries to give impartial advice and help solve national problems
  • provide systems, software and research for managing resources.

Our vision

To help create and sustain a Commonwealth that is mutually respectful, resilient, peaceful and prosperous and that cherishes equality, diversity and shared values. 

Our mission

We support member governments, and partner with the broader Commonwealth family and others, to improve the well-being of all Commonwealth citizens and to advance their shared interests globally.

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