Request for Proposal (RFP) - RFMO engagement consultant

Background: Global Fishing Watch (GFW) is an international, non-profit organization committed to advancing ocean governance through increased transparency. We create and publicly share knowledge about human activity at sea to enable fair and sustainable use of our ocean. Founded in 2015 through a collaboration between Oceana, SkyTruth, and Google, GFW became an independent non-profit organization in June 2017. Using cutting-edge technology, we create and publicly share map visualizations, data and analysis tools to enable scientific research and drive a transformation in how we manage our ocean. Our major focus is on commercial fishing because it is the most widespread human activity at sea, the most impactful on ocean health, and the most crucial for global livelihoods and food security. By 2030, we aim to monitor and visualize the impact of ocean-going vessels, both industrial and small-scale, that are responsible for the vast majority of the global seafood catch. We believe human activity at sea should be common knowledge in order to safeguard the global ocean commons for the common good of all.

The Position

The final quarter of 2025 and first of 2026 mark an intensive period in the RFMO calendar, with major annual meetings scheduled for the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), and the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO). These meetings are critical opportunities to advocate for stronger conservation measures, improved compliance, and ecosystem-based approaches to fisheries management.

GFW is seeking a desk-based consultant to provide key support in the upcoming RFMO meeting cycle, providing essential logistical, coordination, and policy support to the International Policy team. The consultant will assist in preparing for and participating in major RFMO meetings—specifically ICCAT, WCPFC, GFCM, and SPRFMO—helping ensure that policy and outreach work is well-supported and strategically delivered.

To support this work, we are seeking a consultant to assist with administrative coordination, delegation management, and external engagement during this busy and strategically important period. This consultancy will run for a six-month period through to March 31, 2026, to support follow-up work and internal coordination after the conclusion of the RFMO meetings.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The RFMO engagement consultant will report to the RFMO Officer on identified priorities and responsibilities, these may include a mix of the following:

Briefing Materials and Preparation

• Compile, analyze, and summarize key RFMO documents (e.g., meeting agendas, proposals, background papers, and reports) to inform internal preparation.
• Manage internal Delegation Briefing Packs and Contact Reports, ensuring timely circulation of relevant documents, summaries, and updates.

Project Management Coordinate and manage the scheduling, agendas, and documentation for the internal RFMO delegation meetings.Maintain a calendar of key RFMO deadlines, side events, and engagement opportunities.Prepare and circulate agendas, take meeting notes, and ensure action items are tracked and followed up.

• Maintain up-to-date contact lists, email groups, and digital filing systems.
• Provide general administrative and operational support to the RFMO team and related working groups.

External CoordinationSchedule and coordinate bilateral and multilateral meetings with external stakeholders, including government representatives, NGOs, and RFMO Secretariats. SPRFMO Delegation supportSupport the Delegation Manager and Head of Delegation for SPRFMO, responsible for preparation, logistical support, registration, and document access, as neededTranslate or interpret Spanish/English documents and communications as needed.Policy ResearchUndertake discrete research assignments related to RFMO policy, governance, or conservation issues as directed by the RFMO Officer, such as comprehensive summaries on electronic monitoring; high seas boarding and inspection, and other topics in RFMOs.

• Monitoring academic research, news media, and policy developments related to RFMOs and BBNJ.

Candidate description

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in international relations, marine policy, environmental science, or a related field.
• Proven administrative, coordination, or project support experience, ideally in an international or advocacy context.
• Fluency in English and Spanish, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized, analytical, detail oriented and self-motivated.
• Ability to work quickly and efficiently to a very high standard of detail.
• Ability to take ownership of projects and communicate project updates to stakeholders in a transparent and proactive manner.
• Familiarity with international fisheries issues and RFMOs.

Desirable

• Experience working in or with Japan or the Republic of Korea on international fisheries governance

The successful candidate will meet most, but not necessarily all, of the criteria above. If you don’t think you check all the boxes, but believe you have unique skills that make you a great fit for the role, we want to hear from you!

Please submit a CV with your relevant experiences, a cover letter conveying your interest in the position and how your previous experiences would support you to be successful in this role and a budget breakdown. We look forward to getting to know more about you!

Additional Information

Reporting to: RFMO Officer

Term: Ending 31 March 2026

FT/PT: 15-20 hours a week, except for when GFW will close for a period around the 2025/2026 holiday season.