The Birdlife International Marine Programme seeks a new Head

Vulnerable Southern Royal Albatross Diomedea epomophora: at risk to longlining

Watercolor and India Ink, 8.5" x12" by Virginia Potter for Albatrosses and Biologists Unite for Nature (ABUN); from a photograph by Laurie Smaglik Johnson

The United Kingdom’s Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) hosts the BirdLife International Marine Programme, with a particular emphasis on stopping albatross declines through implementing practical solutions to reduce bycatch in longline and trawl fisheries and protecting the most important sites for seabirds globally.

The RSPB is looking for a visionary and inspiring marine specialist to head up the Birdlife International Marine Programme, leading the RSPB Global Seas programme, overseeing the Marine Programme Regional Co-ordinators in BirdLife International Partners across the world and co-ordinating the marine policy and scientific work at the BirdLife International Secretariat.

The overall aims of the Marine Programme are to improve the conservation status of the world's seabirds through the adoption of bycatch mitigation measures in longline and trawl fisheries, to identify bycatch mitigation measures in gillnet fisheries; and to delineate and protect marine Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas

The successful candidate will have extensive experience of seabirds and marine issues and excellent skills in facilitation and the development and co-ordination of a dispersed team.

They will be willing to travel worldwide to make the case for improved conditions for birds at sea, through working with partners and persuading operators and policy makers to adopt new methods and also pushing for a high level of uptake of the measures.

Closing date: 16 March 2020.  Find more information here.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 24 February 2020