Chief Impact Officer

The application period will close on August 31, 2026, 9:00 am CEST. Please note that if we receive a high volume of qualified applicants, the posting may close sooner, so we encourage candidates to submit their applications as soon as possible.

Background

Global Fishing Watch (GFW) is an international, non-profit organization committed to advancing ocean governance through transparency and technology. Founded in 2015 through a collaboration between Oceana, SkyTruth and Google, GFW became an independent non-profit organization in 2017.

The Chief Impact Officer (CIO) reports to the CEO and sits on the leadership team. They are accountable for leading GFW’s global program—overseeing strategy, delivery, and the associated monitoring, evaluation and learning—to ensure the organization turns its work into measurable impact. In line with our organizational strategy, the program work is centered on three core areas: countering illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; strengthening marine protection by improving the effectiveness of protected areas and other conservation measures; and promoting transparency in fishing and other human activity at sea in both policy and practice. The CIO drives impact in two ways: directly, through our program and policy work, and by scaling it—getting our platform into the hands of more governments and civil society, with the skills and support needed to harness it, so that every new user and partner extends the reach and impact of our data and tools.

They lead a talented, fully remote team spread across the globe. They bring proven experience in international marine conservation, forging major partnerships, and engaging senior government officials across national, regional, and international fora. They understand our technology well enough to see exactly where our on--the-ground ambition and technology platform capability intersect, combining our science, policy influence, capacity development, and innovation to drive meaningful impact with the right partners.

With the CEO and the leadership team, they decide which ideas matter most - the ones that move our mission, meet donor needs, and fit our resources. They support fundraising and manage the program budget with care. And because impact only counts if we can show it, learn, and adapt, they oversee our monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) program.

Now, ten years in, GFW is planning for our second decade. The Audacious Project investment that built our major program initiatives and expanded our technology platform is in its final stretch, having put powerful tools to work for the ocean faster than we thought possible. The task now is to build on it: invest further in what works, scale it up, and find new avenues for impact. And we’re already looking past 2030, setting our sights for the decade beyond, because protecting the global ocean commons is a mission built for the long haul.

Purpose of role

As an exceptional, collaborative leader, the CIO will partner with executive peers to drive synergy across the organization’s diverse disciplines. Supported by senior direct reports managing key functional areas—including regional delivery, analysis and capacity development, international policy, and MEL—they will foster a high-performing culture of inclusion, accountability and continuous learning. They will provide the strategic oversight needed to manage a multidisciplinary, multicultural team, translating complex organizational goals into actionable and measurable delivery plans.

Building on our strong foundation and the advances made through our Audacious Project, the CIO will invest in what works, scale our efforts, and unlock new avenues for impact. They must understand the complex geopolitical dynamics of international ocean governance and use that knowledge to build partnerships that turn commitments into on-the-water reality. Success in this role demands strategic acumen, strong relationship-building skills, and a proven ability to deliver results. By maintaining a forward-looking perspective on emerging trends, they will ensure our transparency agenda and open technology continue to shape the future of our ocean.

A critical responsibility of this role is translating strategic goals into results-driven, funded programs and projects. This requires a highly responsive partnership with our philanthropy team and a keen sense of what resonates with current and prospective donors. They will energize cross-departmental cooperation, ensuring our impact initiatives not only advance our mission but also pass rigorous financial and fundraising scrutiny.

Serving as a key outward-facing representative, the CIO must be a confident speaker capable of articulating our mission, program vision, technological capabilities, and impact. They will represent GFW at high-level international conferences, roundtables, and workshops, influencing policymakers and engaging major donors.

Given the internationally dispersed nature of our staff, partners, and priority geographies, this position requires frequent international travel and a flexible approach to working hours to effectively manage and collaborate across global time zones

Primary responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Collaborate with the leadership team to inform the development and delivery of GFW’s organizational strategy, actively contributing to strategic planning, performance reviews, and impact reporting.
• Drive program innovation, ensuring that we remain responsive to global trends and extend our reach and impact around the world.
• Partner with department heads to lead and support planning and priority-setting, actively breaking down silos to ensure collaboration across GFW’s divisions—including programs, technology, science and innovation, communications, and operations—to deliver impact.
• Provide the CEO and Board of Directors with critical insights regarding programmatic impact, risks, and successes.
• Oversee the establishment of program Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), manage team performance, and foster a collaborative, safe, and inclusive remote work environment.
• Identify capacity gaps and proactively coach and mentor staff, ensuring the program team is fully equipped to execute their responsibilities.

Strategy Design & Impact Delivery

• Lead the strategic and financial oversight of GFW’s global program, designing and executing large-scale, multi-year strategies and their associated budgets, and driving and delivering impact in partnership with others.
• Act as a key thought partner to the technology, and science and innovation teams, shaping and driving continuous platform improvements to accelerate and scale impact.
• Identify and respond to evolving ocean governance trends, leveraging these opportunities to advance GFW’s programmatic goals.
• Ensure robust frameworks are in place to evaluate program effectiveness, enhance continuous learning, track outcomes, and report impact to key stakeholders.
• Proactively identify programmatic needs, risks, or bottlenecks—and propose solutions.

Financial Management & Fundraising

• Contribute to the development of compelling grant proposals to advance new funding opportunities.
• Manage the departmental budget, partnering with Finance to monitor expenditures, prepare forecasts, and ensure compliance with donor rules and regulations.
• Undertake effective planning, budgeting, and financial management with the program leadership team, ensuring alignment with all relevant policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate value for money to donors through accurate, timely financial and narrative reporting.

External Representation & Partnerships

• Represent GFW at relevant international conferences, roundtables, and senior bilateral meetings, serving as a key organizational spokesperson, including with the media.
• Champion a holistic narrative that clearly highlights how our combined data, technology, and program efforts drive our mission forward.
• Develop and implement partner engagement strategies that advance program priorities and initiatives while ensuring mutual accountability and shared learning.

Experience & Skills

• Demonstrated senior-level experience designing, leading, and managing large-scale programs aimed at governance reform, specifically within international ocean conservation.
• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required; a Master’s degree is highly preferred.
• Deep technical knowledge of global marine conservation issues, international ocean policies, and the political economy of marine governance.
• Substantive senior-level experience leading, mentoring, and scaling globally distributed teams, with a strong track record of recruiting and building high-performing groups diverse in gender, nationality, and background. As a decisive, empathetic leader, you foster a highly collaborative and inclusive culture, actively seek diverse perspectives, and adapt quickly to changing conditions.
• Proven ability to balance strategic planning with agile execution, keeping teams tightly focused on core organizational priorities. You demonstrate a strong capacity to manage for results, evaluate talent, provide candid feedback, and take decisive action, all while effectively delegating to and empowering your staff.
• Proven track record in strategic planning and project management, with strict accountability for delivering concurrent major organizational goals and translating long-term objectives into measurable outcomes.
• Superlative diplomatic, negotiation, and advocacy skills. You must possess a proven ability to build and navigate complex, multi-stakeholder partnerships involving government agencies, NGOs, and scientific bodies.
• Proven ability to anticipate, assess, and mitigate risk within complex environments. Highly logical and organized, with deep experience analyzing multifaceted issues to formulate and execute decisive, effective recommendations.
• Experience working effectively at the highest levels, confidently representing the organization, promoting ideas, and influencing decision-makers.
• An exceptional communicator capable of serving as a global spokesperson. You must be able to articulate complex scientific and policy issues clearly to a wide variety of audiences across diverse media channels.
• Demonstrated success in global fundraising, including cultivating relationships with a variety of public, private, and government donors.
• Solid, hands-on budget management skills with the ability to strategically align financial resources with program priorities.

Language requirements

• Native or highly proficient in the English language.
• Fluency in Spanish and/or French is highly preferred.

To apply for the post

To apply for this role, please email a copy of your CV/resume and a cover letter outlining your interest in the role and how you fulfil the requirements set out in the job announcement to Ruth Gardner at ruth@upsallinternational.com. Please ensure you send your CV and Cover letter in the following format: full_name_CV_org_name_role and full_name_role_CL. If you have any questions about the role or organisation and would like an informal chat ahead of submitting a formal application, please feel free to reach out to the same address.

• The deadline for applications is Monday 31st August, 9:00 am CET

This is a rolling process, and applications will be evaluated as they come in.

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!

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Additional Information

Note: The application period for this role closes on August 31, 2026, 9:00am CEST 

Reporting to: CEO

Manages: Yes

Please note: Visa sponsorship is not supported at this time. 

Candidates must be authorized to work for GFW without visa sponsorship for at least two years after their start date, or for the entire duration of their contract if on a fixed-term agreement.

Individuals on student visas must be eligible for full-time employment on their visa and have valid work authorization (such as Optional Practical Training (OPT) or equivalent) that remains valid for at least two years or the duration of their contract. Candidates relying on a spouse’s visa for work authorization are not eligible, as they must independently qualify for employment.

Location: This is a remote role, but candidates must be legally authorized and based in the following countries to be considered: United Kingdom, United States Spain, Costa Rica, or Panama

Permanent/Fixed Term/Contractor: Permanent

Full Time hours: Yes 

Compensation: A compensation range for this position is US$ 230K-250K per year for US-based employees -  £150K-£170K GBP for UK employees - €130K-€160K EUR for EU/Spain employees. For applicants located outside of these locations, the pay range will be adjusted to the country of hire. Compensation is commensurate with experience and will vary depending on the hired candidate’s country of residence, in accordance with local laws and regulations. GFW offers pension/retirement, health and other benefits commensurate with similar level GFW employees in the country of employment. The position may be a GFW employee, an employee of our Employer of Record Partner, or a contractor depending on the country of residence.

Equal opportunities: Global Fishing Watch is an equal opportunities employer. Global Fishing Watch is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within our organization and in the greater ocean management and conservation community. We believe that diverse backgrounds, skills, knowledge and viewpoints make us a stronger organization. Bringing together professionals who possess broad experiences and a spectrum of perspectives will enable us to reach our goal of improved ocean governance faster. We hire and promote qualified professionals without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or parental status, national origin, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Our organizational goals match the urgent challenges facing our global ocean, and our mission is designed to help secure a healthy ocean for all. We are committed to building a workforce that is representative of humanity’s diversity, by providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees of Global Fishing Watch and for our partners, vendors, suppliers and contractors.

Accessibility and Accommodations: We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you are selected for an interview and need accommodations or adjustments at any stage, please let the Talent Acquisition Manager know during your initial call. We’ll do our best to support your needs. Any information you share will be kept confidential and used only to ensure you have a positive experience.