Based: Seoul, Korea with frequent domestic and international travel

Contract: Full-time, permanent

Salary range: dependent on experience

Reporting to: Korea Senior Campaigner

Benefits: Generous annual paid leave (15 days plus national holidays, increase 1 day after first full calendar year of work and thereafter by two days per year after each full calendar year.

Position overview:

This is a rare opportunity to join the team at the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF). EJF exists to protect the natural world and defend our basic human right to a secure environment.

EJF works internationally to inform policy and drive systemic, durable reforms to protect our environment and defend human rights. We investigate and expose abuses and support environmental defenders, Indigenous peoples, communities and independent journalists on the frontlines of environmental injustice. Our campaigns aim to secure peaceful, equitable and sustainable futures.

EJF’s Ocean team documents illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and associated human rights abuses. The team uses field-based evidence to advocate for policy changes with governments and improved corporate practices in the seafood sector. A key thread running through all of our advocacy is the need for greater transparency in global fisheries through the adoption of EJF’s Charter for Transparency.

Korea has one of the world’s largest distant water fishing fleets and is also a major seafood importing country. We are seeking a campaigner based in Seoul who is passionate about protecting the marine environment and the livelihoods and other human rights of those who depend upon it. The successful candidate will be an experienced, determined and motivated person who has an understanding of research, advocacy, governance or other relevant fields. You are expected to assist the Korea Senior Campaigner and also work independently to conduct research, implement strategies and represent EJF to relevant organisations.

Reporting to the Korea Senior Campaigner, this junior role will assist EJF’s efforts to eliminate illegal fishing and the associated crimes of the Korean fleet, as well as to improve Korea’s compliance, transparency and traceability in the seafood sector.

This role offers unique opportunities for career growth and personal development. You will work closely with a motivated and talented global team of EJF investigators, campaigners and communications experts across Asia, Europe and Africa. This is a challenging but rewarding and dynamic role, giving insights and experience rarely available.

EJF is lean, agile, creative, strategic and most of all results-driven. Join our world-leading professional team to help protect people, wildlife, and our shared natural world.

Responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Monitor the Korean government’s progress in improving migrant crew’s protection and identify opportunities to advocate for full implementation of international conventions including the Work in Fishing Convention (ILO C188) and Cape Town Agreement;

• Monitor and record the activities of the Korean distant water fishing fleet using satellite data, EJF’s investigation results and other open data intelligence sources to produce documents for the Korean government and other relevant states;

• Assist the Korea Senior Campaigner to conduct field and desktop research to identify seafood tainted with IUU and human rights abuses in Korean seafood supply chains;

• Produce high-quality briefings, reports and other materials to assist EJF’s campaign activities in Korea;

• Assist the Korea Senior Campaigner to collaborate with the Korean NGO coalition to advocate for the adoption of key transparency reforms including publication of beneficial ownership, vessels sanctions lists and others;

• Work with EJF’s international communication team and the Korea Senior Campaigner to liaise with Korean and international journalists, prepare press release and manage the Korean social media content;

• Manage office admin, finance and other assigned tasks;

• Develop EJF materials in and from Korean.

Requirements

• At least three years’ professional experience in environmental policy, oceans issues, human rights, governance and/or other relevant fields;

• Demonstrable professional experience in research, public affairs or communications;

• Confident in representing EJF and delivering EJF’s message to high-level government officials and industry members;

• Ability to work independently and also in a remote international team;

• Attention to detail and ability to manage and prioritise tasks;

• Professional fluency in Korean and English.

To apply please send your English CV and a short covering letter explaining why you are the ideal candidate to recruitment@ejfoundation.org before 31 March 2023.

We encourage you to apply early as candidates will be assessed on a rolling basis.

Please note that we can only contact shortlisted candidates.