Dr. Sylvia Earle has called the Sargasso Sea “the golden floating rainforest of the ocean.” It is a unique pelagic ecosystem based on species of Sargassum that are able to develop without contact with land. The Sargasso Sea is bounded by ocean currents circulating around the North Atlantic sub-tropical gyre. Although it includes the Bermudian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the vast majority occurs in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ).

The Sargasso Sea Commission was established pursuant to the Hamilton Declaration on Collaboration for the Conservation of the Sargasso Sea, signed on 11 March 2014, by the governments of the Azores, Bermuda, Monaco, UK and US. The Commission is mandated to “exercise a stewardship role for the Sargasso Sea and keep its health, productivity and resilience under continual review.” It will also “encourage and facilitate voluntary collaboration for the conservation of the Sargasso Sea.”

The establishment of the Commission is the result of three years of work by the Sargasso Sea Alliance, led by the Bermuda Government. The Alliance has already demonstrated a strong leadership role, mobilized support from a wide variety of national and international organizations, governments and donors for the institution of protection measures for this unique ABNJ ecosystem. Key partners and donors can be viewed at www.sargassoalliance.org

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. David Freestone, who is supported by the Marine Programme Officer, is administratively based within the IUCN Office in Washington, DC. He reports to a Board of Directors. His task is to provide leadership in the advancement of the objectives of the Hamilton Declaration and the Sargasso Sea Commission mandate, particularly the development and implementation of protection measures for the Sargasso Sea. This involves working with a range of partners – including government partners - in promoting these measures in a wide variety of different fora. The Executive Secretary and the Marine Programme Officer serve as the Secretariat to the Hamilton Declaration Meeting of Signatories and to the Sargasso Sea Commission.

To assist the Executive Secretary in fulfilling the objectives of the Declaration and mandate of the Commission. Working under the direction of the ES, the successful candidate will be expected to:

• support the ES in the development and implementation of ongoing and emerging Commission programmes and projects,
• administer the virtual Commission office in Washington DC including assisting with development and implementation of work plans and budgets, hiring of consultants etc,
• maintain official records and files for the Commission including agendas, meeting minutes, publications, etc.
• support and attend the Commission committee structure with development of agendas, records of meeting and timely information flows,
• establish and maintain high level communications links with the Commission partners, by organizing web postings, presentations, newsletters, etc.,
• organize and support meetings and travel arrangements of Commission partners both inside and outside the US, including in Bermuda,
• provide support for the development of key strategies of the Commission – including fund raising,
• represent the Commission Secretariat at meetings in the US and elsewhere,
• provide such other support as may be necessary to meet the objectives of the Commission


COMPENSATION PACKAGE
- Gross salary of USD 60,000 per year
- Comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and long term disability insurance plan
- Retirement benefit of 5% of gross salary from the 4th month of employment
- 7.65% of gross salary FICA contribution (applicable for US nationals and green card holders)