Social Responsibility Project Director

For almost 20 years, FishWise has worked closely with businesses to advance sustainability in the seafood sector. Through our partnerships and extensive networks, FishWise offers pragmatic approaches and credible guidance for companies to tackle some of the toughest challenges in sustainable seafood, from addressing environmental issues in fisheries and aquaculture production to improving traceability and mitigating risks of human rights abuses in global supply chains.

FishWise is unique among sustainable seafood organizations, with a mission equally focused on people and planet, and a dedicated Social Responsibility team that works specifically on the protection and promotion of human and labor rights. What differentiates FishWise is its strong collaboration and advisory role with industry, as well as its partnership with the NGO and government community of experts. We achieve measurable impact by:

• Partnering with companies to develop comprehensive seafood sustainability programs with transparent, time-bound commitments
• Convening and connecting stakeholders to drive improvements in supply chain social responsibility, focusing on labor rights
• Creating best practice guidance and resources to improve the labor conditions of some of the most vulnerable workers in seafood

Job Opportunity:

FishWise is hiring a Social Responsibility Project Director to lead and support the FishWise strategy designed to protect and promote human and labor rights in the seafood sector. Reporting to the Department Director, the Project Director will be responsible for research, development, execution and/or management of multiple high-impact initiatives and contracts in a cross-functional team structure. The ideal candidate will have proven capability to act as expert advisor, both internally and externally, on human rights, labor rights and corporate social responsibility, either within food system supply chains or a similarly complex sector. They will have a strong strategic mindset and interpersonal communication and facilitation skills, superior project and team management experience, and passion for advancing the FishWise mission.

Our dedication to collaboration with seafood sustainability and human and labor rights organizations, as well as industry and government bodies, creates rich opportunities for bridge building and fostering awareness of diverse solutions, ideally drawing from lessons learned across sectors. With the increase in attention on potential human rights and labor abuses  in the seafood sector, and existing FishWise partnerships with businesses, NGOs, and research organizations, FishWise is in a strong position to catalyze concrete advancements in the protection and promotion of rights for workers.

Role and Responsibilities:

• Lead and contribute to social responsibility related grant-funded and industry partner efforts, with a focus on initiatives that protect and promote labor and human rights throughout global seafood supply chains. 
• Advance FishWise’s credibility and impact by working with human and labor rights, fisheries, and seafood market experts, engaging in multi-stakeholder collaborations, and representing FishWise at external meetings, conferences and events.
• Manage programs, projects, and teams, aligning contributors toward purpose and objectives, delegating responsibilities, soliciting input and decision-making from leadership, providing technical direction, and project and budget management support.
• Represent FishWise externally through written and verbal communications, including the creation and delivery of public presentations, and contributing to strategic conversations on key topics. 
• Provide technical guidance and other advisory support related to human rights, labor rights and corporate social responsibility across FishWise funded projects and contracts. This may include developing and refining key data elements, organizing and participating in convenings, and the provision of seafood-specific guidance to governments.
• Provide technical and strategic input to the Markets team, as they plan and implement social responsibility services for business partners, including developing, tracking, and progressing against contract line items and creating new services, to meet a need.
• Review technical documents, reports, legislation, and news on human and labor rights, due diligence, social responsibility, sustainability, and related efforts to stay updated and informed on latest developments and serve as a technical expert. As required, provide summations of relevant learnings to the FishWise staff and/or partners. 
• Support and/or lead the development of funding and business development proposals, communicate with funders or business partners to support existing efforts and foster relationships for future opportunities.
• Expand FishWise’s network of key stakeholders, including human rights experts, funders, critical partners to industry, and worker organizations.  

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• Master’s degree plus 5 years relevant experience, or Bachelor’s degree plus 7 years relevant experience, or equivalent experience in a related field.
• Dedication and passion for human and labor rights and a commitment to advancing the FishWise mission.
• Broad and deep expertise in human and labor rights, with particular expertise related to human rights due diligence within a company, responsible recruitment, worker engagement, responsible sourcing and/or other topics aligned with FishWise’s strategy. 
• Experience implementing social responsibility practices within a food system supply chain, or an equally complex sector.
• Basic understanding about fisheries and aquaculture production, traceability, seafood sustainability ratings and certifications, and market-based conservation initiatives OR translatable experience in another food systems sector with supply chains.
• Strong critical thinking skills with the ability to inform FishWise strategy and broader objectives, and create aligned efforts and goals that contribute to achievement of those.
• Excellent project management skills, with a demonstrated ability to work with teams to meet deadlines, organize work flows and materials, manage multiple and simultaneous work streams, and establish and maintain project scope.
• Excellent ability to do research, and strategically synthesize and convey complex ideas to targeted audiences.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a rapidly changing and results- oriented environment. 
• Innovative mindset, open to pursuing business development and funding opportunities that contribute to the financial security of the organization.
• Self-starter, motivated, and able to work with limited oversight.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Mac OS, and Zoom; ability to quickly learn new technologies, CRM and project management software.

Additional Preferred Experience:

• Leading and/or implementation of sustainability, social responsibility or CSR programs from within a company
• Facilitation of trainings, panels or workshops, designing the material and leading the discussion. 
• Implementation and/or design of US government contracts and grants (e.g. DOL/ILAB, USAID).
• Successful fundraising, particularly from US Government or private funders (including corporate foundations).
• Familiarity with or desire to learn about traceability systems and other data collection and management systems, particularly as applied to labor and human rights.

Hours and Compensation:

• This is a full-time position that has the option to be based out of our headquarters in Santa Cruz, CA, partially remote or fully remote.
• Work hours: 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday, 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. (PST or EST, with flexible scheduling options contingent on supervisor’s approval).
• Project Director salary range: $76,000 – $83,600.
• Selected candidates will be placed at the beginning of the salary range and have the opportunity to advance through the range based on satisfactory performance and time in the position.
• Competitive benefit package including, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, parental leave, flex-time, and matching retirement contributions.
• Evening and weekend work will sometimes be required.
• Occasional business travel and personal transportation may be required.
• United States work authorization required.

FishWise is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes a diverse candidate pool. We recognize diversity as important to accomplishing our work and view diversity as encompassing differences in race and gender, as well as age, nation of origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, job skills, education, and geographic location.