News

MarinTrust is seeking an individual for maternity cover, who will be responsible for the development, maintenance, and implementation of all fishery elements of the MarinTrust programme. This includes, fishery sourcing criteria, fishery evaluation and assurance processes, the management of relevant governance committees, and certification activities related to fisheries evaluations with certification bodies. This role will provide support to the Operations and Assurance systems and contribute to the implementation and effective operation of both.

How to apply: Please send your C.V. to [email protected]. Applications are open until 6 September 2024.

MarinTrust is the leading independent business-to-business certification programme for the marine ingredient value chain consisting of the MarinTrust Standard for Responsible Supply of Marine Ingredients, the MarinTrust Chain of Custody Standard, and the MarinTrust Improver Programme, with the vision of advancing best practice in the responsible sourcing, traceability and production of marine ingredients globally.

Purpose of post

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Fisheries Manager has responsibility for the development and maintenance of the fishery elements of the MarinTrust programme, including the effectiveness of the fisheries evaluation process and continuous development of the programme and associated procedures.  

Key deliverables include:

• The maintenance and continuous development of fishery and by-product assessment methodologies to ensure they meet the programme’s requirements.
• Oversight of fishery and by-product assessors and assessments to ensure quality and consistency. 
• The maintenance and development of procedures for the programme and ensuring compliance against those procedures.
• Serving as secretariat to the Fisheries Development Oversight Committee (FDOC) and effective input to other relevant MarinTrust governance committees.

As part of the role, the post holder will also be responsible for contributing to the delivery of the vision and mission of MarinTrust and the strategic development of the organisation. 

Key Responsibilities include:

Standard Development

• Manage the development, implementation, and enhancement of all fishery elements within the MarinTrust Standard including the raw material sourcing criteria (whole fish and by-product assessments, verification mechanisms and multispecies developments).
  • Manage externally contracted consultants to assist with this work, to ensure their delivery is on time and within budget
• Act as Secretariat for the Fisheries Development Oversight Committee (FDOC) ensuring the fulfilment of their respective objectives as directed by the MarinTrust Governing Body Committee (GBC).
  • Foster relationships with and monitor the performance of FDOC members.
  • Manage FDOC finances and budget, in coordination with the Operations Manager.
  • Organise FDOC meetings, agendas, minutes, workshops, etc.

Operations and Assurance

• Manage the relationship, monitoring and training of approved Certification Bodies (CBs) delivering MarinTrust fisheries assessment services.
  • Monitor and allocate fisheries assessments to CBs in accordance with the relevant assurance (QMS) procedures.
  • Monitor the performance and training of approved CBs and fishery assessors in accordance with the relevant assurance (QMS) procedures, in coordination with the Assurance Officer.
  • As required, develop and deliver training on technical and procedural elements of MarinTrust fisheries programme to CBs, fishery assessors, peer reviewers and relevant stakeholders.
  • Manage CB charges to ensure they are accurate and paid on time, in cooperation with the Operations Manager.
• Manage the Fisheries Assessment Peer Review Group (FAPRG) ensuring the fulfilment of their respective objectives as directed by the FDOC.
  • Monitor the performance and training of approved Fishery Peer Reviewers that deliver the MarinTrust Fishery Assessment Peer Review services via the FAPRG.
  • Manage FAPRG finances and budget, in cooperation with the Operations Manager.
• Support with the compliance of the Assurance and Operation Management Systems, in coordination with the Assurance and Risk Manager and Operations Manager.
• Maintain and manage fishery data in coordination with the Data Officer to ensure the MarinTrust fishery data is accurate and up to date. To the ensure the accuracy and currency of internal records and public-facing material, including the directory of fishery reports on the MarinTrust website.
  • Maintain fishery data on MarinTrust's online CRM.

Internal Activities and Relationships

• Work with the Chief Executive Officer to provide leadership and to strengthen the MarinTrust Standard development process, to achieve the objectives of the Strategic Plan.
• Support with managing the reputation of the certification programme, including input to the fishery R&D element of the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) System, in cooperation with the Impacts Manager.
• Attend internal meetings and provision of updates and reports to keep the team are kept informed of activities.

External Activities and Relationships

• Stakeholder engagement
  • Engage with a range of direct and indirect stakeholders to promote understanding and acceptance of the technical and scientific elements of the MarinTrust standards. 
  • Support the management of relationships/agreements with external partners and parties e.g. initiatives, government organisations and Standard holders such as GSSI, GDST, GTA, MSC, ASC, BAP, etc.)
• Other
  • As required, manage external service provision (e.g. certification bodies, fishery assessors, consultants), to ensure external services are delivered to a high standard on time and within budget. 

MarinTrust Secretariat Structure

Person Specification

MarinTrust seeks a highly motivated individual with fisheries expertise, and in standard development. The ideal candidate will thrive in a small, dynamic and geographically dispersed team.

Technical Knowledge and Experience  

• Knowledge of certification programmes and direct experience working with a business related to certification schemes.
• Understanding of fishing impacts on aquatic ecosystems and/or fishery management and operations and/or fish stock biology/ecology in a certification setting.
• Ability to apply fisheries assessment and ecosystem management skills into new applications.
• Experience and knowledge of quality management systems.
• Knowledge of data analysis and data management.

Collaborative Skills

• Experience of working in partnership with stakeholders, preferably internationally.
• Ability to manage relationships with colleagues, stakeholders and collaborators, with a people-centred approach to work.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to build senior relationships both internally and externally.

Management and Organisational Abilities

• Strategic planning and project management experience.
• Experience in planning, developing, and implementing strategic decisions. Experience in developing and monitoring effective administrative systems and processes.
• Time management skills to meet targets and short-term work plans.

Communications

• Excellent command of English; advanced written, verbal and face-to-face communication skills.
• Additional languages will be an advantage.
• Personal Attributes 
• Stature, gravitas, and confidence to gain the credibility of Board members, staff and external partners.
• Enthusiasm to contribute to MarinTrust’s vision.
• Credibility, trustworthiness, problem solving, task management and self-management competencies.
• Strong team player with a strong focus on working together to achieve results.
• Expertise in fishery science/management to lead and champion this area of the programme.
• Discretion and confidentiality, and professionalism.
• Adaptability to change and a flexible approach to challenges.
• High drive and commitment to achieve key aims and objectives.

Qualifications and experience

Essential

• Relevant post-graduate degree in fisheries/biological science or equivalent.
• Experience of working with standards, either with a scheme owner or a certification body.

Desirable

• Project management, including budgeting.
• Completion of assessments for fishery certification schemes.
• Experience of the commercial seafood industry.
• Experience as a leader in the production of peer reviewed stock assessment(s) for fisheries and stock assessment technique(s)

Terms of appointment

Contractual Terms (UK)

Contract type: Maternity Cover (This is a 12-month fixed term maternity cover position, ideally with an early October start)

Probation: 3 months

Notice: 3 months

Working hours: 37.5 per week

Working time Monday – Friday; 09:00 – 17:00

Domestic and international travel is required. No overtime is payable, however under certain circumstances Time off In Lieu is granted.

MarinTrust supports flexible working, so the pattern of hours may vary according to operational and personal needs. You will be expected to carry out all duties in the context of and in compliance with MarinTrust Health & Safety Policies.

Benefits (UK)

Annual leave: starting with 20 days for 1st year (pro-rated depending on when is starting date). Then, an additional day’s holiday will be provided for each completed year of service up to a maximum of 25 days.

Pension: Own pension scheme auto enrolled. Pension arrangements will be 8% contribution from employer & 4% from employee as a choice of salary sacrifice.