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High Seas Program Manager
Bloomberg Ocean Fund
Remote
USD 140k-160k / year
Posted on Jan 27, 2026
High Seas Program Manager
Location: North America, Europe, or Latin America, with a strong preference for +/-5 hours Eastern Standard Time
Location type: Remote
Reporting to: Director
Annual salary: $140K - $160K USD, Geographic differential will be applied based on the location of hire. Candidates must have the right to work in the country from which they are applying.
Contract type: Permanent
Working hours: Full-time
Candidate level: Experienced Non-manager
Closing date: Monday 16th February 2026, 9:00 am CET
Background
The Bloomberg Ocean Fund (the Fund) is the regranting partner of Bloomberg Ocean Initiative, Bloomberg Philanthropies’ effort to conserve and protect the world’s ocean – and strengthen the health and resilience of the communities that depend on it. The Fund is responsible for delivering impact and progress toward the Bloomberg Ocean Initiative goals and specializes in impactful regranting, innovative strategy development, and partner coordination. The Fund also manages and implements the Joint 30x30 Funding Initiative (JTTFI), which supports ambitious and inclusive efforts to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 (30x30). The Fund is a fiscally sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA).
The Fund is recruiting a High Seas Program Manager to develop, coordinate, and implement a high impact portfolio of grants and partnerships for the Fund and JTTFI.
Purpose of role
The High Seas Program Manager will develop and oversee a strategic portfolio of grants and partnerships to advance critical marine conservation and protection outcomes in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). This role requires a recognized specialist with deep expertise in high seas governance and an established network of relationships within the high seas political and advocacy community, regional ocean management organizations, and other international ocean policy forums.
The Manager will focus on advancing inclusive and equitable approaches to conserve and protect marine areas and biodiversity in the high seas to help achieve the global goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030. Drawing on their proven track record in high seas advocacy and conservation, the Manager will leverage existing relationships with key stakeholders in the BBNJ (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction) process and broader UN High Seas campaign to accelerate progress. In addition to cultivating and supporting initiatives for specific new marine protected areas in the high seas, the Manager will also work to address cross-cutting efforts necessary to enable the effective setup and implementation of the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement) at national and international levels.
As a key member of a small, highly collaborative team with additional thematic coverage across coral reefs, 30x30 in national waters, fisheries transparency, illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing, and operations, the High Seas Program Manager will lead the full lifecycle of grantmaking activities, including project scoping, development, monitoring, and evaluation. The Manager will mobilize their established networks within the high seas conservation community to build and maintain strategic government and non-government partnerships aligned with global and regional campaigns, advocacy initiatives, communications efforts, and major international convenings to maximize impact. This role provides direct support to donors to the Fund and JTTFI.
The Manager will play a vital role in updating and maintaining grantmaking and impact strategies for the high seas and overall 30x30 portfolio, working in close coordination with program colleagues, thought leaders, and partner organizations, including Oceans 5 and other donors and funds. The role requires a specialist who can confidently engage with a wide range of stakeholders across philanthropy, the non-profit sector, and government, utilizing deep knowledge of high seas governance mechanisms and pre-existing relationships within the UN High Seas campaign to implement a global strategy that is firmly rooted in local and national relevance and impact.
Responsibilities
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Leverage established networks within the international ocean conservation community and the high seas campaign to identify new grantmaking opportunities consistent with funding strategies, objectives, and criteria.
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Work with prospective grantees and other partners to develop outcome-based and impactful projects that advance the implementation of the High Seas Treaty and related international ocean protection goals.
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Maintain and strategically expand an international network of professional and collegial relationships with senior government officials, regional ocean management organization representatives, traditional leaders, civil society organizations, think tanks, and other key stakeholders in the international ocean policy space.
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Conduct oversight and monitoring of current and future grants.
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Assist grantees in meeting their goals and objectives and adapting to changing political and organizational circumstances.
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Organize meetings with grantees, donors, government officials, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders.
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Integrate outcome-based grantmaking and strategic communications, coordinating with BOF’s communications lead to increase impact.
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Develop reports and presentations for donors that demonstrate impact and progress toward international ocean protection goals.
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Support donors as necessary, including accompanying them on site visits.
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Serve as a subject matter expert on international ocean governance, maintaining deep and current knowledge of the science, policies, and politics of marine conservation in areas beyond national jurisdiction, the High Seas Treaty implementation process, and ocean conservation issues globally.
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Update and maintain grants on the Fund’s online portal.
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Understand and support the Fund’s policies and approaches, including assistance with media outreach, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, security, and ethics.
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Comfortably work across multiple time zones, which may require occasional meetings outside of standard business hours.
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Organize site visits and travel, including to remote areas lacking amenities, to meet with existing and prospective grantees and partners. Travel estimate is roughly 20%.
Experience
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Bachelor’s degree required. A graduate degree in law, public affairs, public policy, or environmental science is preferred.
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A minimum of eight years of directly related professional experience in the environment, conservation, natural resources, or public policy arena, with demonstrated expertise in international ocean governance, high seas conservation, or ocean policy at the international level. Direct experience working on or with the UN High Seas campaign, BBNJ negotiations, High Seas Treaty implementation, or related international ocean governance processes is highly preferred.
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Established network of relationships within the international ocean conservation community, including connections with key stakeholders in UN processes, regional fisheries management organizations, intergovernmental bodies, and leading NGOs working on high seas protection.
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Proven project-management skills, including the ability to handle several projects at different stages simultaneously and a strong capacity to set priorities and identify resources.
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Self-starter and team player, with the ability to balance independent and collaborative approaches, effective communications are a must.
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Strong writing, editing and proofreading skills with attention to detail and an ability to write clearly and cogently for internal audiences, policy makers, the media, and the public.
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Experienced and confident in public speaking across a variety of audiences.
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Proficiency in English. Proficiency in at least one other official United Nations language is preferred.
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Strong interpersonal skills, ability to develop and manage productive relationships with colleagues, consultants, and coalition partners.
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Demonstrated diplomacy skills, with seasoned and sound judgment. Ability to navigate complex international negotiations and work productively to build consensus and collaboration with a wide array of different people and institutions, including government delegates and international organizations.
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Knowledge and demonstrated proficiency in the use of software (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and ability to learn or use technology for reports, meetings, and grants management (Google Suite, Zoom, Monday.com, etc.).
Terms and conditions
RPA is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity at our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
RPA offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including health coverage, retirement benefits, paid sick leave, vacation and holidays, commensurate with experience, accomplishment, and regional markets and statutes. Geographic differential will be applied based on the location of hire.
Candidates must have the right to work in the country from which they are applying**.**
If you have any questions about the role or organisation and would like an informal chat ahead of submitting a formal application, please reach out to Ruth Gardner at ruth@upsallinternational.com. To note: in order to keep your application safe and ensure your data is GDPR compliant, applications will not be accepted via email.
· The deadline for applications is Monday 16th February 2026, 9:00 am CET**·**
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Upsall International actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. In recruiting candidates, we seek candidates with the proven skills required, irrespective of race, gender, religion or belief, age, disability, or sexual orientation.
Bloomberg Ocean Fund is an equal opportunity employer.