Country Officer - Senegal

The application period will close on November 4, 2025 - 11:59 PM CET. 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 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 to safeguard the global ocean commons for the common good of all. 

Africa is seen as a key region for implementing Global Fishing Watch’s vision and mission, with our work encompassing three core countries: Senegal, Gabon, and Madagascar. The Global Fishing Watch program team in Africa is focused on demonstrating the value of transparency in fisheries and biodiversity by generating visibility, identifying opportunities for transparency to add value, and obtaining support from our government constituencies. While Global Fishing Watch's work is concentrated on three core countries, our ambition is to leverage that work to influence transparency outcomes in multiple countries across the region.

Global Fishing Watch is a dynamic, rapidly evolving organization that values creativity and innovative thinking and fosters strong teamwork

The Position 

The Country Officer will advance our key objectives in Senegal, specifically around transparency, policy and government action outcomes. The Officer will work with the regional team to oversee and deploy a suite of interventions around an agreed work plan with the government and stakeholders that will deliver specified outcomes. The primary responsibilities of this position will involve advancing our organization's mission centred around transparency as a key governance principle. The Officer will assist Senegalese stakeholders  in championing transparency through drafting policy briefs and proposals, coordinating meetings and workshops, and engaging with national stakeholders in support of trainings and knowledge sharing. The Officer will work with the regional analysis teams to deploy the needed reports and insights to inform government actions. They will serve as the key representative of GFW in-country.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The Senegal Country Officer will be primarily responsible for the successful development and implementation of country workplans to achieve our policy, transparency and government action outcomes.

Policy Development and Analysis:

• Proactively stay abreast of relevant national and international political developments, policy landscape, and emerging issues in the fisheries and biodiversity sector, including the conduct of policy research and insights.
• Provide timely updates to internal teams on key policy developments and their potential implications for the organization's advocacy work.
• Collaborate with the regional and global teams to draft policy recommendations and legal specifications for changes to fisheries and biodiversity-related policies and programs, ensuring alignment with the organization's advocacy goals.
• Identify policy opportunities and advance them by working through partnerships and governments.

Government Actions:

• Proactively staying updated on relevant national and international opportunities, developments and emerging issues of the country related to their flag, coastal and port state responsibilities.
• Provide timely updates to internal teams on trends and key policy and administrative developments and their potential implications in advancing government action outcomes in the country.
• Work with the Africa regional team to deploy a suite of interventions (i.e., training, workshops, reports) to support the achievement of the identified areas of work around fisheries and biodiversity.
• Strategically engage with relevant stakeholders in the country, identifying opportunities and approaches for collaboration or partnerships to advance government action outcomes in the country. 

Transparency:

• Monitor the latest and most relevant news, issues, developments and trends that have potential implications to GFW’s national and international transparency and policy objectives and initiatives.
• Coordinate with and provide briefings to internal teams on key opportunities, developments and emerging issues that could impede or advance transparency outcomes in the country.
• Actively seek opportunities to advance, in principle and practice, transparency of vessel information and other ocean-related data of the country or region.
• Collaborate with the regional and global teams to strategize on approaches to assessing issues and opportunities, framing engagements and interventions, and packaging the delivery of the transparency initiatives in the country.
• Work closely with the national government, including multiple Ministries / Departments, and other civil society partners to advance transparency for ocean governance.

Capacity Building:

• Organize and deliver workshops, seminars, and training sessions to build stakeholders' capacity on Global Fishing Watch’s tools and platforms in support of fisheries and biodiversity-related issues.

Team Engagement:

• Work with the Africa Regional Head and relevant global teams to establish strategic goals and objectives and key results (OKRs) 
• Work closely with Africa team members, to develop and maintain relationships, monitor relevant budgets and track key deliverables.
• Contribute to a safe, secure, welcoming, and legal work environment.

Candidate description

Required

• A relevant University degree in natural resource management, policy, economics or equivalent 
• At least five years of relevant professional experience working in public policy, public affairs, or political advocacy 
• Good understanding of Senegal’s political and regulative processes for fisheries and biodiversity
• Native French speaking and proficient in English language skills 
• Knowledge of fisheries management and experience in liaising with government stakeholders on fisheries and/or biodiversity issues
• Experience working with current and evolving political, sustainability, and/or conservation trends
• Excellent research skills, proven experience in drafting policy documents and reports, and ability to translate and communicate scientific concepts to a diverse audience
• Proven ability to engage constructively and develop relationships to secure influence with both governments and civil society
• Excellent diplomatic skills, including working and communicating effectively with a broad spectrum of individuals within various cultural environments
• Highly organized, analytical, detail oriented and a motivated self-starter able to spot opportunities and act on initiative
• Ability to work quickly and efficiently to a high standard of detail and manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Preferred

• Postgraduate qualifications in a relevant discipline related to marine resources
• An understanding of the complexities and internal communication issues of working in a global matrix organization and one where staff operate remotely
• Ability and willingness to take ownership of projects and communicate project updates to stakeholders in a transparent and proactive manner
• A sound understanding of marine spatial planning and marine conservation will be well regarded
• A desire to strive for continuous improvement by seeking and sharing feedback respectfully

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 November 4, 2025

Reporting to: Head Africa Program

Manages: N/A

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 Senegal. 

Permanent/Fixed Term/Contractor: Fixed-Term - 1 year with possible extension. 

Duration: 1 year with possible extension. 

Full Time hours: Yes

Recruiting process: Recruiting Process: A cover letter along with a CV will be requested to see how your experience and interest connect to the position. We expect the cover letter to allow applicants an opportunity to explain details on how their skill set aligns with the role and provide a better understanding of their suitability for the position. If selected for consideration, the hiring process for this position will include an initial call with our Talent Acquisition team, followed by a formal 45 minute interview with 1-3 team members. Candidates advancing beyond this round will be asked to take a technical assessment and/or submit a representative code sample. Lastly, a final interview with 2-4 teams members to review your assessment and assess functional skills.

Compensation: A compensation range for this position is XOF 30-40m per year for Senegal-based employees -  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.