Chief Impact Officer

About this role

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 estab

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