Spatial Policy Analyst, Oceans

April 25, 2012

Spatial Policy Analyst, Oceans

With world attention focused on both the environment and the economy,Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is where policymakers and business leaders turn for win-win solutions. This leading green group, with programs from Boston to Beijing, has tripled in size over the past decade by focusing on strong science, uncommon partnerships and market-based approaches. You can be part of a vibrant workplace that welcomes diverse perspectives, talents and contributions, where innovation and a focus on results are a way of life.
 
Overall function
EDF is working with industry members, policymakers, other NGOs, and scientists in government and academia to re-evaluate and refine spatial management tools in place in the New England groundfish fishery.  The fishery has had in place a series of spatial management measures for many years, including essential fish habitat closures, seasonal spawning closures, and closures designed to reduce overall fishing mortality, protect especially vulnerable stocks, or protect juveniles.  Evaluation of the performance of spatial management strategies is now due, especially given the recent transition to catch share management with risk-averse quotas and increased monitoring.  Such profound and progressive changes warrant an assessment of the overall management system, and EDF has been leading that effort with respect to spatial management with a diverse array of partners.  EDF is also leading similar re-evaluation of closed areas in the Pacific groundfish fishery, and we are integrating the science and policy aspects of both efforts. 
As these fisheries reconsider the use of spatial tools, a larger transformation in management of the oceans is underway as the nation refines the President’s National Ocean Policy, which prioritizes ocean zoning, coastal and marine spatial planning, and ecosystem-based management.  This policy will have important implications for fisheries, especially the application of spatial management measures, and EDF and our industry partners need to understand and navigate the development and implementation of these approaches to ensure continued success of our work. 
 
EDF has also been expanding our work internationally.  In particular, Northern Europe is an area of increasing focus, and one with many ecological similarities with the waters off New England.  We are beginning to coordinate our efforts between the two regions, and a key aspect of that coordination will be sharing lessons learned from experiences with spatial management strategies, and developing new strategies in each.
Our work on spatial management includes strong and growing capacity in biology and ecology.  However, we also need expertise beyond the natural sciences.  The Spatial Policy Analyst will help meet that need by bringing expertise in economics, other social sciences, finance, business, policy or other relevant areas.  These skills will help us better understand the goals, impediments and behavior of the fishing fleet, and therefore the costs and benefits of existing management systems and alternatives designs.        
 
Responsibilities

• Design and execute a research program that will add new economic, behavioral, financial or other information to our biological and ecological analyses of groundfish closed areas in New England.
• Develop policy recommendations for redesign of closed areas based on research findings.
• Build relationships and regularly consult with industry members, managers and other stakeholders.
• Advise on other policy positions and other endeavors by the New England team, in particular the development, implementation and implications of the evolving National Ocean Policy.
• Assist the project team with grant writing and other fundraising to continue and expand the project.
• Write up project results as white papers for managers, and for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Present results to management bodies, stakeholder groups, scientific societies and elsewhere.
• Recruit new partners and collaborators as needed to enhance the project.
• Support efforts to identify and develop new applications of spatial management tools in other regions where EDF works, especially the Pacific Coast and Northern Europe.
• Provide other advice on areas of expertise to EDF staff and partners as needed.
• Undertake and complete special projects as assigned by the Director of Spatial Initiatives.
• Represent EDF in scientific, management, and other high profile meetings and events.

Requirements

• Ph.D., M.Sc., MBA, or other advanced degree in economics, sociology, finance, policy, or another field that can contribute to understanding and improving spatial management strategies.
• Demonstrable effectiveness at communicating both verbally and in writing to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Comfortable understanding and interpreting the biological and ecological basis for fisheries management.
• Interest in translation and application of strong social and natural science to public policy.
• Willingness to travel as needed to meetings of the project team, management bodies, stakeholder groups, and scientific societies.
• Capable of working with a variety of concerned parties from government, industry, environmental organizations, and others.
• A self-starter with the ability to think strategically and the initiative to work across regions in an integrated and effective way.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team with diverse expertise.

Due to the volume of employment applications and queries received, EDF is unable to respond to each application individually. Applicants will be contacted directly if selected as a candidate.

http://www.edf.org/jobs/spatial-policy-analyst-oceans
Environmental Defense Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer