Social Responsibility Coordinator/Manager, Korea

Ocean Outcomes
Ocean Outcomes

Korea

USD 37k-48k / year

Posted on Aug 13, 2026

About Ocean Outcomes (O2)

Ocean Outcomes is a global nonprofit and mission-driven technical partner working to improve fisheries and seafood supply chains in some of the world's most complex and high-risk contexts. Where science, community, and seafood supply chains converge, we co-develop solutions and partnerships with those who work and depend on the ocean — creating outcomes that last.

Our work improves environmental performance, strengthens labor conditions, advances human rights, accelerates adoption of new technologies, and builds long-term resilience throughout seafood systems. From electronic monitoring and Fisheries Improvement Projects (FIPs) to human rights due diligence (HRDD) and policy reform, our team works directly with those on the water to create meaningful and measurable change.

We believe sustainable fisheries are built through trust, collaboration, and solutions that reflect real-world conditions. At O2, you'll join a collaborative, globally distributed team that values scientific rigor, inclusivity, integrity, and innovation. Together, we are helping create a future where healthy fisheries support healthy ecosystems, resilient businesses, and flourishing communities.

Position Overview

Human rights violations and labor exploitation are well-documented throughout global seafood supply chains. In the distant water fishing industry, workers face isolation and hazardous working conditions, exacerbated by opaque operations, limited access to grievance mechanisms, and lack of connectivity at sea. Recent social responsibility efforts in the seafood industry have focused on human rights due diligence that prioritizes meaningful worker engagement and increasing communication access for all workers.

Working closely with local partners, O2 is advancing social responsibility in the seafood industry through collaborative projects that assess and address risks at the vessel level, leverage emerging technologies like Wi-Fi and electronic monitoring (EM) as tools to bolster protection of workers and vessel transparency and build capacity of fishworkers to understand and exercise their rights. O2’s vessel-level experience, including direct engagement with fishers, captains, and operators, has positioned O2 as a leader operationalizing worker-centered HRDD in high-risk fisheries.

The Coordinator/Manager (dependent on level of experience) will support implementation of O2's social responsibility portfolio. They will support the implementation of the "Accountability at Sea: Wi-Fi Scaling Initiative," aimed at expanding enforceable, verified crew Wi-Fi access as a tool for worker protection, grievance access, and transparency on distant water tuna vessels. They will also support O2's broader initiatives advancing worker-centered human rights due diligence (HRDD) across East Asia's distant water fishing sector, addressing priority issues such as fair recruitment, crew connectivity, and grievance and remediation mechanisms, with a focus on Korea and in coordination with regional partners in Taiwan and Japan.

Across both workstreams, the Coordinator/Manager will work closely with their supervisor and project teams spanning multiple organizations, brands, vessel owners, suppliers, and local civil society partners, including worker organizations and civil society in key migrant worker countries of origin. They will be a primary point person for defined aspects of the project including planning, implementation, and reporting on deliverables. They will build and maintain the stakeholder relationships necessary to achieve project and organizational goals. The Coordinator/Manager will join a growing social responsibility team spanning East Asia and the United States.

Key Responsibilities

Accountability at Sea: Wi-Fi Scaling Initiative

  • Coordinate and facilitate stakeholder engagement with project participants (e.g., industry, civil society) to secure commitment to project goals, activities, and enforceable Wi-Fi access agreements.

  • Oversee engagement with civil society, worker organizations, and government, ensuring their interests are represented and incorporated into project activities, incentive models, and policy outcomes.

  • Coordinate Wi-Fi installations, and lead assessments and research on market incentives, enforceable models, implementation capacity, and scalable deployment across fleets and ports.

  • Support and/or facilitate in-person training for captains and crew on fair and safe Wi-Fi access and worker rights, including use of grievance mechanisms, and support formation of vessel-level Crew Committees.

  • Monitor and update work plans, budgets, and timelines; report on progress internally and externally.

  • Develop internal and external communications materials, support planning and facilitation of workshops, meetings, and site visits.

Social Responsibility & Human Rights Due Diligence

  • Contribute to O2's broader portfolio of social responsibility projects, including worker-centered HRDD, capacity building, and implementation of improvements across global fisheries.

  • Support building the capacity of seafood companies, vessel owners, and government actors to implement worker-centered HRDD on priority issues such as fair recruitment, crew Wi-Fi/connectivity access, and grievance and remediation mechanisms.

  • Support coordination and facilitation of solutions-oriented dialogue among industry, government, workers, and civil society to advance practical problem-solving and impacts for workers.

  • Support coordination and facilitation of rights training for crew, and contribute to documentation of implementation learnings to help inform regional HRDD practice and policy alignment.

General/Overall

  • Represent O2 externally and serve as a trusted point of contact for the organization by effectively engaging with stakeholders including project partners, government and NGOs, ensuring effective communication and information sharing between all partners and stakeholders.

  • Identify opportunities for program growth and development.

  • Perform related duties as agreed with the immediate supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., human rights, marine conservation, fisheries, labor studies, policy).

  • At least 3 years of direct experience involving human rights, labor rights, social responsibility, or supply chain accountability work, and other responsible sourcing topics aligned with O2’s mission and strategy.

  • Knowledge of key international human rights frameworks relevant for work in the fishing industry such as ILO core conventions and ILO Work in Fishing C188, as well as Korea’s fisheries regulations.

  • Experience in program or project management, including assisting with and/or managing multi-stakeholder projects involving industry (companies/brands), government, and civil society or worker organizations.

  • Full professional proficiency in English and Korean, including strong written and verbal communication skills and experience preparing materials for external stakeholders and partners.

  • Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with sensitivity to the power dynamics involved in engaging vessel owners, captains, crew, and worker organizations, and diverse stakeholders across cultural backgrounds, sectors, and industries

  • Demonstrated ability to manage project deliverables, timelines, and reporting against a grant-funded work plan.

  • Ability to work independently on assigned tasks and manage competing priorities within a remote, globally distributed team.

  • Demonstrates honesty, integrity, and empathy.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Advanced degree (Master's degree, PhD) in a related field.

  • Familiarity with industrial fishing operations, vessel-level labor conditions, or the seafood supply chain.

  • Experience with connectivity/satellite Wi-Fi or electronic monitoring (EM) technologies, or willingness to build fluency quickly.

  • Experience engaging with government agencies or multi-stakeholder bodies.

  • Proficiency in a language relevant to O2's regions of operation (e.g., Mandarin, Indonesian).

  • Experience coordinating site visits, field deployments, or capacity-building at ports or other remote operational sites.

  • Experience engaging with advocacy groups (environment, human rights, and/or labor).

Additional Requirements

  • Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally (possibly up to 30%), including to priority ports and project sights, where appropriate, aboard vessels.

  • Ability to work outside of normal working hours to accommodate international team and partners; early morning, evening, and/or weekend work required at certain times.

  • Resourceful, collaborative, proactive, adaptable, and creative problem solver.

  • Energetic and self-directed; able to work independently and function at a high level in a virtual, cross-cultural, and international organization.

  • Commitment to transparency, accountability, continuous learning, and direct, constructive communication.

  • Capability to build and maintain professional, equity-centered, relationships with coworkers, stakeholders and clients.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

  • Ability to work effectively from home.

  • Working outdoors; including boarding docked vessels at certain times.

  • Ability to regularly travel to regional and international conferences and meetings and to project sites, including remote locations (e.g. American Samoa, Marshall Islands).

  • Ability to work well under pressure and in a fast paced environment.

Compensation & Additional Information

This is a South Korea based, full time position. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the Republic of Korea and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Starting base compensation for this position will be $37,000 - $48,000 USD, commensurate with experience. This position will become a core member of O2’s virtual team. The employee will be ‘home-based,’ meaning they will support their own work space in a location of their choice in South Korea. Currently, O2 has team members in South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States.

Benefits

  • All statutory benefits as required by law will be provided for the employee.

  • Generous paid time off where employees take sufficient vacation time each year to allow for a healthy work-life balance.

  • Sick leave and paid holidays plus annual office closure during Seollal (Lunar New Year).

  • Stipend for smart phone/computer and home office equipment reimbursement.

  • Professional development support.

To Apply:

Ensure your cover letter describes why you are interested and uniquely qualified for this role. All applications will be confidential.

Timeline:

We will begin reviewing applications on August 26th. Recruitment will continue until an ideal candidate is found.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

See more open positions at Ocean Outcomes