Manager, Fisheries Technology

Conservation International (CI) 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 could be based in Seattle-WA, Honolulu-HI, or US (remote)

An estimated 120,000 fishers worldwide are trapped in conditions of forced labor. In just 50 countries, 100,000 deaths occur from fishing at sea per year, making fishing one of the most dangerous professions in the world. Beyond the inherent dangerous working conditions, industrial fishing vessels, particularly distant water fishing (DWF) vessels, are characterized by extreme isolation, with crews spending months or even years at sea. Exploitative labor conditions are exacerbated by the lack of connectivity for crew (Wi-Fi), as they are unable to report grievances, check payments, or contact friends, family, or their representative organizations while at sea. A lack of transparency and digital infrastructure can also enable illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices to persist. However, emerging technologies such as satellite Wi-Fi, electronic monitoring (EM) systems equipped with cameras, gear sensors, and GPS offer promising solutions to enhance worker protections and improve oversight in the fishing industry.

The Fisheries Technology Program Manager will oversee the implementation of the Electronic Monitoring and Connectivity for Crews at Sea project, and support CI’s efforts to protect ocean ecosystems and human rights in global fisheries through scaling Wi-Fi and EM technologies. The Program Manager joins a growing Blue Communities team in CI’s Center for Oceans and will work closely with a range of partners and divisions at CI, including the Center for Sustainable Land and Waters, CI China, CI Fiji, the Asia and Pacific Field Divisions and the Moore Center for Science. Through a science-driven and human-centered approach, the Program Manager will build upon a knowledge base in fisheries, connectivity and electronic monitoring systems, and human rights due diligence tools to oversee the implementation of the project, including project planning, implementation, tracking, and reporting on deliverables and project status. 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 01 April 2027, with the possibility of an extension.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Management

• Manage the Electronic Monitoring and Connectivity for Crews at Sea project activities in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, Ocean Outcomes, and in-region partners.
• Collaborate with technical and project staff, internal and external project stakeholders, and ensure clear roles and responsibilities.
• Plan agendas, organize project documentation, facilitate meetings, workshops, and site visits with project staff
• Plan clear timelines, activities, action plans, and tasks using CI’s project management protocols.
• Manage the project budget and timelines to ensure activities are completed on time and in budget.
• Manage risks and issues and implement corrective actions to resolve problems and ensure future project efficiencies.
• Monitor project progress, track project indicators and provide technical advice on the project’s management.
• Manage the preparation of reporting summaries and project narratives. Collaborate with HQ and Program finance and operations staff on project financial reporting.
• Help identify tools, resources, and training that will facilitate project success.

Project Implementation

• Oversee the overall implementation of the Electronic Monitoring and Connectivity for Crews at Sea project activities to trial electronic monitoring (EM) and Wi-Fi technologies in the fisheries sector to combat both illegal fishing practices and human rights abuses.
• Coordinate the development of agreements for crew access to Wi-Fi and EM video data sharing amongst relevant stakeholders including identifying 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, in consultation with fish workers and representative organizations.
• 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 for the identification of labor risks, including recommendations on crew Wi-Fi access standards and regulations.

Additional Responsibilities 

• Monitor, measure, and provide periodic progress and metric reports.
• Facilitate grants and contracts with technical partners; ensure compliance with CI policies, funding agreements, and local requirements.
• Promote information sharing and knowledge exchange across CI.
• 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 and serve as a trusted point of contact for CI; effectively engage stakeholders including donors, government and NGOs, technical colleagues, and other partners important to program success.
• Identify opportunities for program growth and development.
• Support program financial sustainability by identifying funding opportunities. Partner with CI and HQ staff on funding proposals and contribute to regional/global fundraising efforts.

Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Periodic travel to project sites and other office locations (approximately 20% or more as needed).
• Comfortable working out of doors 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, anticipated to end in April 2027.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s Degree and 4 - 6 years related work experience in project management and domain knowledge in:
  • ocean/fisheries technologies (preference for electronic monitoring and connectivity technologies) and/or
  • fisheries sustainability and/or
  • human rights and/or social responsibility issues and/or
  • other related fields.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects or initiatives involving multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent technical and analytical skills.
• 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 work 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.
• Fluency in English is required

Preferred

• Master’s degree or higher.
• Experience in achieving environmental and/or social change in the seafood sector through technology solutions.
• Experience engaging in environmental and/or human rights, and labor advocacy groups.
• 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.
• Experience in research and writing on human rights, fisheries, and technology topics in business or academic settings through published reports, articles, or contributions to significant company consulting projects.

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

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

Conservation International is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals. We believe in hiring based on merit and qualifications, ensuring a fair and inclusive hiring process for everyone.