Manager, Japan Oceans At Environmental Defense Fund

• Lead the oceans campaign to create climate-resilient coastal communities
• Join a world-leading, science-driven international environmental organization
• Tokyo-based; career development opportunities. Japanese & English fluency

The Organisation

With world attention on both the environment and the economy, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is where policymakers and business leaders turn for win-win solutions. By focusing on strong science, uncommon partnerships and market-based approaches, we tackle urgent threats with practical solutions. We are one of the world’s largest environmental organizations, with more than two million members and a staff of approximately 800 scientists, economists, policy experts, and other professionals around the world. We operate in 22 geographies with unique projects running across four programs.

Environmental Defense Fund seeks to contribute to sustainable fisheries in Japan by working directly with the fishing industry, government and academic partners, and by sharing learnings from our work. By working together to solve problems and helping people to understand and participate in science and policy, EDF aims to help make sustainable fishing the norm, not only in Japan but worldwide. By doing so we will ensure both the development of local communities and the protection of the global environment.

Benefits & Culture

• Flexible working conditions, home-based position to begin
• Collaborate with a global team of environmental experts

The Role

Tokyo-based and reporting to the Japan Oceans Director in the US, the Manager, Japan Oceans will be EDF’s on-the-ground lead for oceans work in Japan. You will engage and influence government officials, industry stakeholders, and the media; collaborate with ocean program colleagues and outside partners to achieve real, lasting, measurable change.

You will also:

• Develop and implement strategies to help implement the historic Fisheries Law Reform
• Facilitate collaboration between government scientists and fishery managers and the fishing community
• Catalyze new data collection solutions to modernize fisheries information systems
• Identify opportunities to advance EDF’s conservation goals whilst serving the needs of Japanese government and industry
• Support the development of communications plans to build awareness of EDF in Japan
• Represent EDF in collaborations with other NGOs and relationships with other partners
• Participate in advancing EDF DEI goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental challenges in alignment with EDF values

Skills Required

You will be a recognized leader, preferably a marine expert, with the demonstrated experience to develop and implement strategies to achieve EDF’s vision for sustainable oceans. You have the proven capacity and stakeholder networks to lead EDF’s efforts to support the implementation of Japan’s recent fisheries policy reforms.

To excel in this role you will have:

• Environmental expertise, preferably with a related, advanced degree
• At least 5 years’ experience in a similar nonprofit, operating strategically in a political environment
• A deep understanding of environmental policies and social, economic, and political concerns
• Relationship management proficiency of government officials, industry organizations, academic experts, partner institutions, and the media
• Excellent project management skills, technical literacy and trouble-shooting competencies
• Persuasive communication skills to government, industry, academia, and media audiences
• Demonstrate self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds
• Ability to travel as required (COVID permitting) and work effectively remotely
• Fluency in Japanese and English, plus the legal right to live and work in Japan is required