Global Lead, High Seas / Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement

Want to make a positive difference to the future of people and our one shared home, the Earth? Working at WWF could be your opportunity of a lifetime.
 
All around the world, people are waking up to the devastating impacts of climate change and nature loss. The situation today is worse than the darkest predictions of just ten years ago, pushing billions of people to the edge and threatening lives and livelihoods.  At WWF, we are facing our biggest crisis – and our biggest ever opportunity – to create a better future for people and nature.  With over 60 years of experience and an active presence in more than 100 countries, we work to achieve both on-the-ground and global policy action, from protecting and restoring species and their habitats, to transforming markets and policies toward sustainability.
 
Our people come from hugely diverse backgrounds and with a variety of expertise, ranging from conservation science and advocacy to HR and finance. We welcome applications from anyone who believes they can help us tackle this enormous global challenge and drive the urgent conservation impact needed to restore our planet.
 
What We Do
We are an independent conservation organization, striving to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and the ecosystem. From individuals and communities to businesses and governments, we are part of a growing global movement calling for bolder action on climate and nature, demanding that world leaders set nature on the path to recovery by 2030. WWF works to address the most dominant drivers of nature loss through system-wide changes in how food and energy are produced and consumed, and in how financial systems are structured. By implementing change in every country, we aim to drive visible and positive impacts on the ground, helping to restore nature in the most critical places around the world, from the Amazon to the Coral Triangle.
 
Engaging everyone means addressing the barriers to participation faced by some groups in society, including local communities. Conservation will only be sustainable if it is owned by, and benefits, local people. That’s why Indigenous Peoples and local communities must be at the centre of action on climate and nature. WWF is committed to using its resources and global network to support these communities in creating together the most effective solutions where they live.
 
Humanity is still in time, we have a clear pathway to solve this crisis. At WWF, we call on everyone to join the global movement, change how we live, and take action now.

Preferred locations: Woking(UK); Sydney(AUS); other countries subject to contracting possibilities for WWF

Contract length: Fixed term

1. MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT

United by our passion for the ocean, the WWF Oceans Programme, under the WWF Biodiversity Practice, is a global community of marine conservation, policy, fisheries, species, governance, communications and advocacy experts working across the WWF network. The Oceans team supports network-wide collaboration, strategic partnerships, policy advocacy, fundraising, communications, knowledge exchange and peer-to-peer learning, helping WWF offices and partners deliver greater ocean conservation impact at scale.

2. MAJOR FUNCTIONS

The entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement in January 2026 marks a major shift in international ocean governance and creates the first global legal framework dedicated to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. The Agreement provides a significant opportunity to strengthen coherence across ocean governance systems and support delivery of global biodiversity and ocean commitments.

WWF is seeking a senior Global Lead, BBNJ / High Seas, to provide strategic leadership, coordination and support for WWF’s engagement on the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement and wider high seas governance. The role requires an experienced leader who can work effectively with senior WWF colleagues, governments, intergovernmental bodies, civil society partners, scientists and funders to advance ambitious, science-based and operationally effective implementation.

The role will also help provide strategic leadership for WWF’s emerging global Ocean/Blue Corridor Breakthrough, for which the High Seas Treaty is a central pillar. Working closely with relevant thematic and initiative leads across the WWF Network, the Global Lead, BBNJ / High Seas will help shape collective priorities, mobilize partnerships and resources, align efforts across WWF and with external partners, and drive coordinated action towards the implementation of global ocean commitments, supporting the design and delivery of the Breakthrough’s goals.

As WWF’s lead for BBNJ implementation, the postholder will drive strategic alignment, prioritisation, and delivery across WWF’s thematic, regional, policy, advocacy, communications, and fundraising functions. Through leadership of WWF’s BBNJ coordination mechanisms and support for the Ocean Breakthrough, the role will translate global policy ambition into coordinated conservation action, through fostering enhanced cooperation in WWF, advancing marine 30x30, Blue Corridors, ecologically connected seascapes, sustainable fisheries, sustainable shipping, ocean-climate resilience, and thereby enhanced cooperation by governments and other stakeholders across ocean governance systems. The postholder will foster shared ownership across WWF offices, regional initiatives, and partners to deliver resilient, connected, and effectively managed ocean ecosystems at scale.

3. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the implementation of WWF's BBNJ Strategy and support the delivery of the WWF Ocean Breakthrough, by shaping priorities, aligning efforts across the WWF Network and working with key partners, and accelerating progress towards global and regional ocean conservation commitments.

• Set strategic priorities for WWF's BBNJ engagement, aligning activities with political opportunities, implementation needs, Ocean Breakthrough objectives, and network capacity.

• Lead and chair WWF's senior BBNJ coordination mechanism, ensuring alignment, accountability, and effective delivery across thematic, regional, policy, advocacy, communications, and resource mobilization functions.

• Provide strategic leadership for WWF's engagement with governments, intergovernmental organizations, civil society partners, and scientific institutions to advance ambitious, science-based, and effective implementation of the BBNJ Agreement through enhanced cooperation.

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• Promote coherence across WWF's ocean governance agenda by strengthening collaboration among teams working on fisheries, shipping, seabed governance, biodiversity agreements, ocean-climate processes, and other relevant governance frameworks.

• Advance WWF's approach to enhanced cooperation under BBNJ by translating conservation priorities into practical pathways for collaboration across and between relevant international instruments, frameworks, and bodies, including RFMOs, IMO, ISA, CBD, CMS, and IWC.

• Drive integration between BBNJ implementation and wider Ocean Breakthrough priorities, including marine 30x30, Blue Corridors, ecologically connected seascapes, sustainable fisheries, sustainable shipping, and ocean-climate resilience, working closely with the respective thematic and initiative leads.

• Coordinate the development of WWF's technical, policy, advocacy, and communications positions on BBNJ implementation and related high seas governance issues.

• Support regional and national offices in government engagement, regional implementation, coalition-building, and the translation of global priorities into regional and national action.

• Lead resource mobilization and financial stewardship for BBNJ implementation, including donor engagement, development of funding proposals, budget management, and resource allocation decisions.

• Represent WWF as a senior spokesperson on BBNJ, high seas conservation, and the Ocean Breakthrough in international negotiations, strategic partnerships, political dialogues, conferences, donor engagements, and media opportunities.

• Promote learning, knowledge exchange, and adaptive management across WWF's BBNJ and Ocean Breakthrough portfolios to inform strategy, strengthen delivery, and maximize conservation impact.

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4. PROFILE

Required Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in international environmental law, marine policy, ocean governance, conservation science, political science, international relations or another relevant discipline, or equivalent senior professional experience.

• At least eight years of relevant senior professional experience in global or regional ocean governance, marine conservation policy, multilateral environmental agreements, advocacy or related fields.

• Demonstrated experience leading or coordinating complex, multi-stakeholder or network-wide initiatives across institutions, countries, teams or sectors, preferably in an international conservation or policy setting.

• Strong understanding of the BBNJ Agreement, and the broader international ocean governance landscape and relevant international fora and bodies such as IMO, RFMOs, ISA, IWC, CBD and CMS.

• Established credibility with senior policy, conservation, government, intergovernmental, scientific and civil society actors, with the judgement and standing required to represent WWF externally and coordinate senior colleagues internally.

• Experience in shaping policy outcomes, building consensus and delivering effective outcomes in multilateral or international governance contexts.

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Required Skills and Competencies

• Excellent understanding of BBNJ implementation issues and the history of the Agreement. 

• Strong knowledge of marine conservation, ecological connectivity, ocean governance coherence and the role of national, regional and global governance processes in delivering conservation outcomes. 

• Proven ability to lead, convene and motivate colleagues across a complex international network, including thematic experts, regional teams, policy and advocacy leads, communications colleagues and external partners.

• Demonstrated capacity to work effectively in a matrixed organisation, influencing without direct authority and building alignment across diverse perspectives.

• Strong political judgement and strategic sense, with the ability to listen carefully, understand government and stakeholder perspectives, identify priorities, manage complexity and translate strategic objectives into practical implementation pathways.

• Excellent policy analysis, writing, facilitation and communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear briefings, strategy documents, advocacy materials, donor-facing narratives and senior-level decision papers.

• Proven experience working with governments, intergovernmental processes, civil society coalitions, scientific partners and regional institutions.

• Proven track record in successful fundraising, including engagement with funders, developing compelling funding propositions and contributing to fundraising or resource mobilisation efforts.

• Pragmatic, solutions-oriented and comfortable working in areas of uncertainty, with the confidence to seek information, clarify assumptions and adapt direction as evidence and political circumstances evolve.

• Strong interpersonal skills, patience and resilience in working across a diverse global network, with an ability to build trust, command respect and maintain momentum as well as  among senior colleagues and partners.

• Ability to connect technical, policy, advocacy, communications and fundraising workstreams into a coherent delivery approach.

• Commitment to inclusive and equitable implementation approaches, including meaningful consultation, participation and integration of diverse knowledge systems where appropriate. 

• Excellent command of English. Additional languages relevant to BBNJ implementation regions or multilateral diplomacy would be an asset.

• Willingness and ability to travel internationally.

• Embraces WWF’s mission and values of Courage, Integrity, Respect and Collaboration. 

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5. WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal

Reports to the Oceans Senior Director, WWF International, and works closely with WWF Biodiversity Practice and Oceans leadership, the Ocean Head of Policy, Habitat Lead, Fisheries and RFMO leads, Shipping lead, Deep seabed mining lead, Blue Corridors and priority marine species teams, biodiversity governance leads, ocean-climate colleagues, regional and national BBNJ focal points, communications, advocacy, fundraising and resource mobilisation colleagues. The role will also convene or support the BBNJ Working Group, Ocean Breakthrough steering group and core BBNJ coordination mechanism. 

External

Governments, intergovernmental bodies, scientific institutions, civil society organisations, regional organisations, Indigenous Peoples and local communities where relevant, conservation partners, donors, policy makers, and relevant coalitions or alliances working on BBNJ implementation, high seas conservation, ocean governance, fisheries, shipping, seabed governance and biodiversity conservation. 

6. LOCATION

Location to be confirmed. External candidates may be hosted by an appropriate WWF office, subject to agreement and legal right to work in the host country. Internal WWF candidates may be able to remain in their current location, subject to approval by their host office. 

Please upload your covering letter and CV in English. Priority will be given to applications with both documents indicated.
Work permit restrictions may apply.

If you are currently employed by WWF international please apply via Canopy and Search Jobs 
 
Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

At WWF, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where every individual feels valued and respected. We believe that a diverse workforce will help us to achieve our mission to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to providing fair and unbiased consideration for all candidates regardless of their background. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply and join us in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.