About Rare & Fish Forever

Rare is a global non-profit with teams based in over 10 countries. Rare’s programs focus on people and behavior-centered solutions to environmental challenges and have theme-specific programs focused on regenerative agriculture, climate change, and coastal waters, with cross-cutting programs on behavior science and innovative finance.

Fish Forever is Rare’s global ocean conservation initiative. Fish Forever works at multiple levels, from communities and networks of local governments to sub-national, national, and global levels, to protect marine biodiversity, strengthen livelihoods, and build resilience of some of the world’s most vulnerable communities. The program links community stewardship with policy and collaboration across these levels to advance conservation at scale. Its work ranges from community-based fisheries management to connected marine protected area networks that safeguard biodiversity and support ecosystem health.

To date, Fish Forever is working in 8 countries (Brazil, FSM, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Mozambique, Palau, and the Philippines) and has an ambitious scale strategy for expansion within existing and new geographies.

Position Overview

Rare is seeking a Sr. Program Director to lead the implementation of its five-year initiative to advance transboundary marine protected area (MPA) networks and strengthen regional collaboration around the 30x30 goal in the Pacific Island region as part of the Fish Forever program.

The Sr. Program Director will serve as the primary lead in the Pacific Island region, balancing strong program management and technical oversight with an even stronger mandate to cultivate, maintain, and advance trust-based relationships with governments, regional agencies, Indigenous and local communities, and donor partners. They will also play a strategic role in shaping Rare’s long-term role in the Pacific, identifying opportunities, supporting future partnerships, and ensuring Rare remains a valued and credible collaborator in the region.

The successful candidate will already be deeply embedded in Pacific conservation, governance, and regional collaboration networks, bringing the credibility, trust, and relationships needed to advance transboundary marine protection efforts, which have no precedent in the Pacific Islands.

Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategy

• Working closely with the Fish Forever Managing Director, provide overall leadership for Rare in the Pacific Island region, ensuring alignment with Rare’s strategy and donor commitments.
• Help shape the Pacific Island region's strategy in partnership with regional governments, agencies, and Indigenous/local communities.
• Serve as a strategic advisor and trusted partner to regional stakeholders on conservation priorities, ensuring ecological, political, and community insights inform program design and delivery.
• Act as Rare’s senior representative in the region, building and maintaining trust-based relationships with stakeholders such as governments, agencies, and community leaders.
• Represent Rare in multilateral platforms and coalitions
• Ensure all engagement reflects local values, governance structures, and respect for Indigenous and community stewardship.
• Support the expansion of Rare in the region by identifying opportunities and partnerships, including resource mobilization and fundraising efforts that align with program goals.

Program Management

• Lead implementation of Rare's grants in the region, particularly a five-year grant from the Bezos Earth Fund, ensuring milestones are met and donor requirements fulfilled. Under this grant, you will:
  • Facilitate and advance stakeholder engagement and alignment around transboundary MPA networks, science and data collaboration, and other opportunities for innovation and cooperation in the region.
  • Oversee sub-grants, technical partnerships, and convenings, ensuring alignment with donor commitments and local stakeholder priorities.
  • Support Pacific Island organizations and governments in developing fundable proposals for marine protection and 30x30 goals.
• Monitor progress, assess risks, and deliver timely reports and updates to Rare global teams and donors.
• Coordinate with internal Rare teams (e.g., Communications, Fish Forever Program Operations, Hub, and others) to ensure consistent messaging, alignment, and effective delivery of program priorities.
• Maintain close coordination with Rare and Fish Forever global teams, ensuring Pacific perspectives inform program decision-making and broader strategy.

Team & Resource Management

• Supervise project staff, consultants, and local partners as relevant.
• Manage budgets and resources with accountability and transparency.
• Collaborate with Rare’s global program experts to bring tailored expertise to the Pacific context.

Position Requirements

Required Experience

• 10+ years of senior leadership in conservation, ocean governance, or sustainable development with coastal communities in the Pacific Island region.
• Established and trusted relationships with key Pacific stakeholders (governments, regional institutions, community organizations).
• Proven record of diplomacy and relationship management at senior levels.
• Strong program management background (budgets $1M+, multi-country initiatives).
• Demonstrated participatory, equitable, and community-driven conservation.

Skills & Attributes

• Excellent communication and facilitation skills across cultures and contexts.
• Ability to anticipate and navigate shifting political landscapes.
• Strategic thinker, able to see both project delivery and long-term positioning.
• Fluency in English (verbal and written) is required. Proficiency in other Pacific languages is strongly preferred.

Preferred

• Advanced degree in marine policy, conservation, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Familiarity with transboundary conservation models.

Location

This position is based in the Pacific Island region. A candidate currently based in a Pacific Island country or territory is preferred.

Rare is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic.