Job Title: Manager, Fisheries Technology

Company: Conservation International

Location: Arlington-VA, Seattle-WA, Honolulu-HI, USA

Job Type: Full Time

Manager, Fisheries Technology 

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

POSITION SUMMARY - This position is based in Arlington-VA, Seattle-WA, Honolulu-HI or also the following locations are fully remote: California, Oregon, or Washington. 

The global fisheries sector remains one of the most analog and opaque industries, creating conditions for illegal fishing, fraud, and human rights abuses. Fishers are especially vulnerable to exploitation, often lacking connectivity to report grievances or access support. Emerging technologies, including satellite Wi-Fi and electronic monitoring (EM) systems, offer promising solutions to improve oversight, transparency, and crew welfare.

The Program Manager, Fisheries Technology, will lead the implementation of innovative technology systems in large-scale fisheries and provide strategic advice on monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) systems to improve ocean conservation and tackle IUU fishing. This role will include responsibilities across several initiatives, including, Electronic Monitoring and Connectivity for Crews at Sea project to improve crew welfare at sea by piloting EM and WiFi technologies onboard fishing vessels, as well as place-based, social, environmental, and economic improvement projects in Pacific Tuna fisheries.  

By leveraging new and existing technologies and MCS systems, the Program Manager will work closely with the Labor Rights and Fisheries Program Manager to support sustainable and responsible outcomes that protect both ocean ecosystems and human rights. Specifically, the Program Manager will pilot and scale EM and Wi-Fi technologies in large-scale fisheries to combat illegal fishing practices and human rights abuses and deliver on CI’s EM and offshore fisheries strategy.

This role is based within CI’s growing Blue Communities team in the Center for Oceans and will collaborate closely with various CI teams, including the Center for Regenerative Economies, the Blue Nature Alliance, the Moore Center for Science and Solutions, the Nature Finance Group, and CI’s field programs across the Asia, Pacific, Africa, and Americas regions.

Through a science-driven and human-centered approach, the Program Manager will build upon a knowledge base in fisheries management and MCS systems to support project implementation and project management. This work has the potential to have a profound impact on previously invisible impacted communities – fishers at sea – and to usher in a new set of digital approaches to ensure sustainable practices in fisheries, which are currently one of the most analog sectors in the global economy. This is a time-bound position through April 2027, with the possibility of extension.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the implementation of the Electronic Monitoring and Connectivity for Crews at Sea project activities in collaboration with the Labor Rights and Fisheries Program Manager, The Nature Conservancy, Ocean Outcomes, and in-region partners, including:
  • Supporting the development of EM video data sharing amongst relevant stakeholders, including buyers/traders/brands, crews, observers, captains, vessel owners, worker organizations, and technical experts.
  • Support the installation and piloting of electronic monitoring and Wi-Fi technologies onboard 10 distant water fishing vessels to better safeguard human rights at sea and ensure compliance with environmental best practices, in accordance with international standards, laws, and existing policy regimes, including planning site and vessel visits.
  • Co-develop a process for EM review that is integrated into grievance mechanisms to better identify and resolve labor risks.
  • Develop and socialize a business case for connectivity for crews at sea, which includes case studies, interview findings, costs, and incentives for implementation, to facilitate rapid expansion and uptake of these technologies within the tuna industry.
  • Draft guidance on EM and Wi-Fi systems, including recommendations on crew Wi-Fi access standards and regulations.
  • Explore the applicability of emerging technologies, such as AI, to safeguard crew and observer welfare at sea.
• Support engagements with the seafood buyers and suppliers, in collaboration with the Director for Partnerships and Strategy.
• Manage the implementation of technology solutions across CI’s fisheries engagements, ensuring compliance with environmental best practices, international standards, laws, and existing policy regimes.
• Manage the delivery of CI's EM and offshore fisheries strategy by developing and identifying scaling opportunities for EM and connectivity, through new partnerships and fundraising opportunities.
• Support information sharing and cross-collaboration on fisheries, monitoring, control, and surveillance, and technology, and collaborate with technical and project staff, as well as internal and external project stakeholders.
• Provide technical advice and support to CI countries' programs delivering EM and Wi-Fi programs, such as the initiative to improve place-based social, economic, and environmental conditions in tuna fisheries in Fiji, Samoa, and Palau.
• Manage project workplans, budgets, and timelines, including monitoring and reporting on progress internally and externally, and planning and facilitating workshops, meetings, and site visits.
• Facilitate grants and contracts with technical partners; ensure compliance with CI policies, funding agreements, and local requirements.
• Build stakeholder understanding and support by developing fact sheets, statistics, and related communication materials. Hold workshops and other events to share best practices and lessons learned.
• Represent the organization externally (including at conferences and industry association meetings) and serve as a trusted point of contact for CI; effectively engage stakeholders, including the seafood industry, donors, government and NGOs, technical colleagues, and other partners important to program success.
• Identify opportunities for program growth and development, and support program financial sustainability by identifying funding opportunities, developing funding proposals, and contributing to regional/global fundraising efforts.
• Support CI’s engagement in regional and global coalitions and communities of practice related to distant water fisheries and fisheries transparency.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Periodic international travel to project sites and other office locations (approximately 25% or more as needed).
• Comfortable working outdoors for extended periods.
• Ability to work in remote locations or under difficult working conditions.
• Ability to work outside the normal work schedule to meet project deadlines.
• Guidance on flexible work arrangements will be shared during the interview process.
• This role will be a fixed-term assignment.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s Degree and 4 to 6 years related work experience in fisheries management, ocean technology, MCS, counter IUU fishing, or other related field, or equivalent experience.
• Strong knowledge of ocean/fisheries technologies (preference for electronic monitoring and connectivity technologies) and fisheries sustainability and management.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully managing complex projects or initiatives involving multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent technical and analytical skills related to large-scale/distant-water fisheries.
• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills, with proven ability to turn vision and strategies into outcomes.
• Team player and able to work effectively with diverse groups in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to work well under pressure, multitask, set priorities, and deliver quality results. Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and under general supervision.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and presenting complex ideas succinctly.
• Experience engaging with the seafood industry and seafood brands.
• Fluency in English is required.

Preferred

• Master’s degree or higher.
• Experience working onboard fishing vessels and/or within the broader fishing industry and/or with EM.
•  Experience working with marine protected areas, providing technical guidance on MCS, and developing strategic partnerships with technology providers, such as Skylight and WildAid.
• Experience in achieving environmental and/or social change in the seafood sector through technology solutions.
• Experience in traceability and risk identification services for seafood companies.
• Experience drafting business cases to increase uptake and/or scaling technology solutions.
• Experience designing, developing, or deploying innovative technologies (e.g. Electronic Monitoring, Satellite Connectivity technologies, AI, etc.).
• Foreign language abilities, particularly Mandarin Chinese or Bahasa Indonesian.

To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.

Posted: 13/10/2025