Japan Oceans Campaigner

Contract: Full time, permanent after the probationary period

Salary: Depending on experience

Benefits

• Annual leave of 15 days (plus Japan’s public holidays) increasing each year of service
• Hybrid working (3 days in office) after the probationary period.
• Opportunity for career development and new skills working for an effective, inspiring international environmental organisation.

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.

In Japan, EJF is working to secure a comprehensive seafood import control system that can effectively detect and prevent seafood associated with illegal fishing and human rights abuses from entering the Japanese market. We conduct detailed investigations into illegal, unsustainable and unethical practices and actively promote improvements to policies, corporate governance and the management of fisheries. These investigations focus on the need to increase transparency and traceability in the management of seafood and supply chains.

EJF’s global team also works on a range of other campaigns where environmental insecurity impact human rights. These include climate, forests, cotton and activist training.

We are looking for a new team member who is passionate about protecting the marine environment and the livelihoods dependent upon it. You will be an experienced, determined and motivated campaigner who has an understanding of politics, fisheries governance, or has experience in similar fields. You are expected to be able to work independently and with colleagues around the world to conduct research, develop strategies and represent EJF to outside organisations.

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:

• Conduct field and desktop research to identify seafood tainted with IUU and human rights abuses imported to Japan from major suppliers;

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

• Collaborate with other NGOs in Japan to advocate for the adoption of key transparency reforms including publication of beneficial ownership and import data;

• Secure support of Japan’s fisheries industry, consumers’ rights groups, academia and the wider stakeholders to advocate for a more comprehensive and effective seafood import control system;

• Work with EJF’s international communication team and the East Asia Manager to liaise with Japanese and international journalists to secure coverage of EJF’s news and investigation in Japanese media;

• Manage office admin, finance and other assigned tasks;

• Develop EJF materials in and from Japanese.

Requirements

• At least two 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 government, fishing industry, media and the wider stakeholders;

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

• Superb attention to detail and factual accuracy;

• Ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines and changing priorities;

• Professional fluency in Japanese and English.

To apply please send your CV (English and Japanese) and a short covering letter explaining why you are the perfect candidate to recruitment@ejfoundation.org before 30 April 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

EJF is an equal opportunities employer, committed to diversity within the workplace.