Director of Indigenous and Community-based Ocean Governance

Conservation International 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:

The Community-based Conservation program centers the reciprocal relationships between humans and the environment in its work to support sustainable coastal stewardship and fisheries management efforts in Hawaiʻi. The Community-based Conservation program collaborates with government, industry, and communities of place and practice to inform sound decision-making and is committed to perpetuating and elevating Indigenous voices and practices in marine resource stewardship in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific region.

The Director of Indigenous and Community-based Ocean Governance will lead the Community-based Conservation program in Hawaiʻi, serving as a key organizational leader responsible for achieving transformational conservation outcomes. The Director will guide the vision, strategy, and implementation of integrated, place-based approaches that advance conservation priorities in Hawaiʻi, while ensuring strong alignment and reciprocal learning with regional and global initiatives of the Center for Oceans and other divisions at CI. Leveraging place-based learning emerging from Hawaiʻi, the Director will help lead strategy development, in collaboration with partners and colleagues, towards a global Indigenous Ocean Governance strategy, lending technical support and oversight across the organization.

The Director 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 Pacific Field Divisions and the Global Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Center.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Hawaiʻi Community-based Conservation Program Oversight

• Lead the design, implementation, and adaptive management of the Community-based Conservation program in Hawaiʻi, ensuring measurable conservation outcomes grounded in best-available science and Indigenous knowledge. This includes the following program priorities:
  • Initiate and maintain community-based monitoring programs, implementing evaluation and adaptive revisions as needed.
  • Facilitate development of place-based action plans (i.e., visitor use plans, carrying capacity study).
  • Support the Community-based Monitoring Manager to co-facilitate the Community-based Monitoring (CBM) Hui, maintaining consistency of partner attendance and sharing innovative solutions and resources to the Hui.
  • Research and co-develop Indigenous Data Governance and Sovereignty principles and best practices for Hawaiʻi.
  • Administrate community subgrants to support place-based conservation actions.
  • Promote networking and resource opportunities for Community-based Mālama ʻĀina organizations.
• Provide supervision and mentoring support to staff and interns working within the Community-based Conservation team (e.g. Community-based Monitoring Manager), ensuring staff are working according to agreed work plans and assisting them in meeting their deliverables and individual development goals.

External Engagement and Partnership Development

• Build and maintain strong, high-impact relationships and multi-sectoral coalitions with funders, government, community leaders, cultural practitioners, research institutions, and civil society partners to drive policy reforms and grow community-based conservation in Hawaiʻi.
• Represent CI in high-level policy forums, strategic alliances, and partnership platforms to advance CI’s influence in marine conservation and to advocate for the recognition of Indigenous rights, knowledge, and practice in conservation and ocean governance.

Fundraising and Resource Mobilization

• Lead efforts to secure funding that supports Indigenous- and Community-driven ocean conservation and governance initiatives, including multi-year grants and direct-to-community financing mechanisms, and develop co-financing partnerships in Hawaiʻi and across the organization.
• Participate in strategic donor engagement to advocate for expanded investment in Indigenous leadership, rights-based conservation models, and long-term ocean stewardship—drawing from and building on demonstrable successes and innovations from Hawaiʻi.
• Participate in ongoing training, mentorship, and collaborative proposal development efforts within the Center for Oceans and other relevant divisions and programs (e.g. Global Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Center) to strengthen fundraising skills and co-develop innovative funding strategies alongside experienced development staff.

Indigenous Ocean Governance Lead for Center for Oceans

• Leveraging place-based learning emerging from Hawaiʻi, co-lead strategy development, in collaboration with partners and colleagues, towards a global Indigenous Ocean Governance strategy, and cultivate an internal community of practice for accelerating learning and exchange.
• Build the Center for Ocean’s internal capacity and accountability to work effectively, ethically, and respectfully with Indigenous Peoples, including through the development and implementation of trainings, Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes, culturally grounded engagement frameworks, and participatory monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
• Provide technical oversight and guidance to CI projects involving community- and Indigenous-led conservation and ocean governance, and serve as a strategic advisor to the Senior Vice President of the Center for Oceans and provide input to shape CI’s institutional positioning on Indigenous-led ocean governance, contributing to high-level planning, global reports, and multilateral processes.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Frequent travel to project sites and other office locations. The position will require 25% interisland travel and occasional domestic or international travel
• Comfortable working outdoors for extended periods
• Ability to work extended work hours to meet project deadlines
• This position follows a hybrid work structure, working some days from the office and some remotely. Guidance will be shared during the interview process.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required

• BS, BA, or equivalent degree, and 7+ years of related experience, in Hawaiian language, Hawaiian studies, marine or environmental science, ocean policy, social science, business management, environmental law, or related field.
• 2 or more years of experience in personnel management, supervising and motivating others, including multi-disciplinary teams.
• Extensive knowledge of Hawaiʻi’s socio-cultural environment, including Native Hawaiian and local culture, social dynamics, economy, and history of interactions between environmental groups and fisheries groups.
• Experience of working with Hawaiʻi’s nearshore marine environment, resource laws, and regulations.
• Proven project/program management experience, including setting strategic priorities, managing staff and tracking progress, reviewing programmatic reports, and adaptive management based on project successes and/or challenges.
• Experience working in a multi-cultural environment with a diverse set of partners and achieving goals by coordinating numerous organizations’ activities across sectors.
• Experience in project development, fundraising, and grant management, including administrative compliance for US federal governmental grants.
• Excellent technical, analytical, organizational, time management, and written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong facilitation skills and experience designing, participating in, and leading group meetings and workshops.
• 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 minimal supervision.

Preferred

• 5+ years of experience working in coastal communities and with rightsholders and stakeholders in Hawaiʻi.
• Advanced or terminal degree in an appropriate discipline for conservation and resource management.
• Can converse in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language).
• Ability to build bridges across diverse sectors, and to foster dialogue among diverse partners.
• Flexibility and adaptability, and is interested in joining an energetic and dynamic team.
• Shares the staff’s commitment to the vitality and health of Hawaiʻi’s people and ʻāina.

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

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.