Fair Catch Campaign Manager

About the role

Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is one of the greatest threats to marine ecosystems, undermining fisheries management and conservation efforts around the globe. It accounts for 1 in 5 fish caught every year. With 65% of seafood sold in Australia imported, AMCS is part of an alliance of organisations across all sectors seeking the implementation of a strengthened seafood import control system and improved sustainability standards. We’re seeking an experienced campaigner and collaborative leader to drive the development and implementation of this exciting new campaign, in close collaboration with our partner organisations.

Purpose of the Position:
The Fair Catch Campaign Manager will lead the three-year campaign to secure and support the adoption and implementation of stronger seafood import controls rules to prevent seafood from illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing from entering the Australian market, and ensure consistent national seafood labelling standards are applied to imported seafood. Working within the alliance, they will be responsible for establishing in the public’s mind the problems that exist with the importation of seafood from IUU fishing and prosecute the case for better regulation. They will also drive policy reform to demonstrate that imported seafood is from sustainable sources and not the product of illegal fishing, to achieve AMCS’ goals for the protection of Australia’s oceans and the people, communities and marine wildlife that depend on them.

To achieve this, the Fair Catch Campaign Manager will work with the AMCS Fisheries and Communications teams and in close collaboration with partner organisations, fisheries stakeholders and government.

Primary Responsibilities:

- Campaign Coordination_
- Coordinate AMCS’ work to build awareness of the issue of, and policy solutions to, seafood from illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing imported into Australia and the need for consistent national seafood labelling standards.
- Collaborate with our Fisheries, Communications and other teams to build public pressure on decision-makers to deliver on campaign goals and objectives.
- Collaborate with partners in the alliance including other conservation organisations to deliver on campaign goals and objectives and build the campaign alliance.
- Policy and advocacy_
- Provide scientific and strategic policy expertise to the campaign alliance.
- Undertake advocacy with key decision makers, government and stakeholders including acting as a central point for environmental NGOs.
- Engage with relevant consultation processes.
- Liaise and work with stakeholders, including the fishing industry, community groups and scientists, to build support for consistent standards and strengthened seafood import control rules to tackle IUU fishing and improve traceability in seafood products.
- Represent AMCS in relevant stakeholder forums (meetings, working groups etc.).
- Write technical submissions to government consultations on seafood import issues.
- Engage and supervise external consultants to deliver research and technical reports.
- Campaign communications_
- Collaborate with the AMCS Communications team and campaign partners to identify opportunities and generate effective public communications, as part of a comprehensive campaign communications strategy.
- Identify media opportunities to support campaigns and represent AMCS in the media on seafood import issues as and when required.
- Other responsibilities_
- Ensure AMCS staff and Board are briefed on seafood import campaign issues.
- Work with the AMCS fundraising team to support the long-term sustainability of AMCS’ work on seafood imports.
- Represent AMCS to its members, supporters, government, industry and the wider community as needed.

Essential Selection Criteria
- Experience in developing, implementing and leading campaigns for an environmental, fisheries, natural resource management or advocacy organisation.
- Significant knowledge of, and experience in, fisheries management, labelling or sustainability.
- Experience working with and engaging different stakeholders, including fishers, fishery managers, scientists, NGOs and government.
- The ability to operate effectively in a small team and with partner organisations, as well as being a self-starter, comfortable working with limited supervision.
- The ability to develop, plan and implement work plans and projects within budget, including the ability to prioritise competing demands.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Commitment to protecting the marine environment and upholding AMCS’ values.

Desirable Selection Criteria
- A degree in marine science, natural resource management or similar
- An understanding of federal politics, fisheries legislation and policy, and/or traceability and sustainability issues in seafood.
- Experience in producing public or campaign communication materials.

Please see attached