Program Officer, Marine Conservation Initiative

Established in September 2000, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation seeks to advance environmental conservation, scientific research and patient care. The Moore Foundation is among the 10 largest foundations in the US and one of the largest private funders of environmental conservation and science in the world.

The Moore Foundation is devoted to the inspirational vision articulated by our founders: "creating positive outcomes for future generations." This vision guides our mission: to achieve significant, lasting, and measurable results in environmental conservation, patient care and science - globally and in the San Francisco Bay Area. A set of core values-impact, integrity, disciplined approach, and collaboration-directs our work.

The Program Officer position to be filled falls within the Marine Conservation Initiative (MCI). MCI works to support healthy ocean ecosystems that can sustain food, jobs and recreation over the long term by focusing on two of the largest, yet most solvable, threats to the oceans: overfishing-including bycatch and discards of unwanted catch-and habitat degradation. MCI's work is built on the premise that aligning incentives (economic, legal, policy and social) with conservation goals will achieve lasting benefits. 

Position Overview:

The Program Officer develops and leads a portfolio of activities and grants designed to support MCI's goal of making measureable progress toward resilient and productive marine ecosystems in key geographies in the U.S. and Canada managed sustainably for current and future generations. 

The ideal candidate will be an accomplished individual with substantive experience in policy and politics in the U.S. and/or Canada, a strategic thinker and strategist, team player, and creative problem solver committed to the idea of sustainability. 

The position is a full-time, exempt position based in Palo Alto, California. 

Responsibilities: 

Specific responsibilities include: 

• Develop, refine, and implement, in collaboration with the Program Director and the MCI team, specific Initiative strategies and sub-strategies designed to contribute to accomplishing the Initiative's intended outcomes. Adapt strategies and sub-strategies to address changing conditions and opportunities, and evaluate impact.
• Manage an existing portfolio of grants and design new grants and portfolios supported by well-vetted theories of change, to support Initiative strategies. Collaborate with potential grantees to develop grant proposals for approval. Monitor and evaluate progress and adaptively manage grant portfolio to deliver results, in close partnership with grantees.
• Carry out activities beyond grantmaking to help drive change in the Initiative's problem space (e.g. speaking at conferences, organizing and facilitating meetings, and building networks).
• Maintain solid knowledge of the field and share information with the MCI team and grantees to adapt strategies and improve the grant portfolio. Specifically, support the MCI team in policy and advocacy strategy and activities in the U.S. and Canada.
• Participate in developing and presenting materials to senior management, the ECP Advisory Committee, and Board on Initiative strategy, performance, and key grants.
• Represent the Initiative and the Foundation to external constituents; including grantees, policy makers, and other funders, on program-related issues, and advance the marine conservation field through publications, presentations, and/or conferences.
• Manage activities of assigned staff or contractors, as appropriate, to ensure activities are consistent with the Initiative's goals.
• Travel is required at a level of 25-30% of the time. 

Qualifications:

Desired Behavioral Characteristics 

The following behaviors are the hallmarks of our culture and characterize how we strive to do our work with each other and our partners: 

• Practice courageous conversations
• Build trusted relationships
• Move with speed
• Build high performing teams
• Focus on what matters
• Take smart risks
• Plan outcomes, learn and adapt 

Experience and Education

The ideal candidate would have: 

• Five to seven years in a leadership role in conservation policy, science, or economics. M.S., MBA, J.D., or Ph.D. or equivalent experience required.
• Deep understanding of the policy-making process and political dynamics at the local, regional, and national levels in the United States and/or Canada.
• Knowledge of key issues in the marine conservation field.
• Demonstrated success in developing, negotiating, facilitating, implementing, and adapting effective conservation programs.
• Ability to analyze, synthesize, and effectively communicate complex information.
• Proven skills in strategic thinking, analysis methods, and problem solving.
• Creativity in developing and implementing solutions and communicating them to diverse audiences.
• Presence, judgment, and ability to interact effectively with a diverse range of individuals and organizations, and engage in respectful, difficult conversations.
• Experience in project management, including developing indicators of progress.
• Experience working and collaborating in a high-performing team environment. 

Competencies and Attributes 

• Self-motivated, collaborative and collegial, personable, diplomatic and trustworthy.
• Ability to think critically, engage in constructive debate, and embrace evidence-based solutions that may challenge one's personal beliefs and views.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including an ability to listen to others and learn from their best ideas, and openness to input from all staff.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a high-performing team, where differing viewpoints and give-and-take are expected and encouraged.
• Articulate, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to effectively manage competing demands, quickly develop written materials, and manage budgets.
• Personal motivation to support the Foundation mission and goals.  

Additional Information:

The Moore Foundation carries out its work through the following frameworks: 

• Programs: This is the enduring management unit designed to achieve transformational change in a selected field of interest through a portfolio of integrated interventions (initiatives, commitments, grants and other strategic actions).
• Initiatives: Initiatives are built around well-developed strategies for concentrated investments, focused on the long-term and achieving significant impact. Initiatives are characterized by a portfolio approach to grantmaking, and other engagements of the Moore Foundation, to pursue ambitious, large-scale outcomes.
• Program grants: The Moore Foundation funds experimentation, focused innovation and agile response to time-sensitive, high-impact opportunities in its areas of focus.

MCI's second strategy Reforming Fisheries Management (RFM) seeks to align economic and social incentives with conservation outcomes through the creation and effective implementation of catch share programs that allocate a portion of the total allowable catch to individuals or communities. Well-designed catch share programs can ensure that both jobs and fisheries are sustainable; promote scientifically based annual catch limits; improve monitoring, observing, and data management systems; promote more sustainable harvesting gears and practices, and help end overfishing and rebuild depleted stocks, while supporting fishing communities for the long term.

For more information on the Marine Conservation Initiative and the Moore Foundation, please consult our website.  

Compensation: Compensation includes a competitive base salary and an excellent package of health, retirement savings and other benefits. 

To Apply:

Please click below: "Apply Now Online!" to submit a cover letter and resume by email to Daniel Sherman. Refer to Moore Foundation/MCI-PO in the subject line. No phone inquiries please. 

~ The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. All correspondence will remain confidential. ~