Application deadline: August 31, 2017
With world attention focused on both the environment and the economy, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is where policymakers and business leaders turn for win-win solutions. This leading green group, with programs from Boston to Beijing, has tripled in size over the past decade by focusing on strong science, uncommon partnerships and market-based approaches. You can be part of a vibrant workplace that welcomes diverse perspectives, talents and contributions, where innovation and a focus on results are a way of life.
Oceans Program: The Oceans Program works to find constructive solutions to the most critical problems threatening the world’s marine environments. At the national and regional levels, our team of scientists, attorneys and economists are tackling land-based sources of ocean pollution and working with fishermen to establish fair and sensible limits on their catch that will allow fisheries to recover.
Mexico Program: The Mexico Program within the EDF Oceans program looks to bring sustainable fisheries management nationwide to Mexico, especially through the scaling and implementation of rights-based management.
Overall Function: Reporting to the Senior Director, Mexico Oceans, the National Policy Director, Mexico Oceans, will play a strategic role in ensuring that EDF has the political capital and strategy as it scales nationwide in Mexico. Under the direct supervision of the Senior Director, the main responsibilities of this position will include political strategy management, coordination, stakeholder engagement, outreach and communication. The National Policy Director will work with the Mexico program leadership and Policy Team, and will engage in key outreach and communication including meeting and communicating with legislators, federal and state elected and appointed officials, key scientists, and critical partner organizations.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead Mexico Political Team
- Manage Political strategy and ensure key milestones and progress against goals
- Build political capital to strengthen Mexico Program
- Effectively engage with key political decision makers.
- Develop feasible and effective policy proposals, and manage a policy agenda and critical paths to help establish, maintain, and expand rights-based-management in Mexico.
- Design and manage legislative and rulemaking campaigns, including advocating for budgetary reforms.
- For the set of national strategies or projects, such as public policy, communications, grasstops advocacy, budget, and monitoring and enforcement – manage each to achieve a defined set of objectives and outcomes with the project team and partners.
- Work closely with Mexico Program Senior Director to establish and execute overall program strategy.
- Relationship management
- Working with the Mexico Program Senior Director, manage the relationships among the various parties involved in policy advocacy, including fishing industry and fisheries agency leadership.
- Work with the country director to establish and grow an effective grasstops network.
- Work to ensure that our project partners have the necessary resources and assistance in order to achieve our shared objectives.
- Build an effective political communications strategy and capacity.
- Proposal and report writing – participate in drafting proposals and funder’s reports in a timely and efficient manner.
Qualifications:
- Public policy, international affairs, law degree or master’s degree in a related field, such as environmental management or business administration with a quantitative focus.
- Proven ability to lead and manage advocacy campaigns.
- Proven experience in consultant hiring and supervision.
- At least ten years of related experience, preferably either working in or influencing the legislative process in Mexico. Government experience a plus. Environmental or fisheries-related experience is desirable, but not required.
- Experience in multi-cultural setting, especially Bicultural US/Mexico.
- Specific knowledge of Mexican political landscape.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Proven ability to work in a multi-tasking and stressful environment. Ability to prioritize and manage unexpected issues.
- Fluency in Spanish and English is required.
- Ability to think critically and solve complex problems by implementing innovative solutions.
- Ability to work with and communicate complex concepts to colleagues and partners of varied backgrounds and experience.
- Proven ability to build a network of stakeholders and support for a project.
- Ability and willingness to travel to the United States and Canada.
- Ability to travel in and around Mexico monthly.
- Eligibility to work in Mexico.
Application deadline: August 31, 2017
