Job Title: Ocean Partnerships Officer

Organizational Unit: WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (GOI)

Grade: P4

Duty Station: Malmö, Sweden

Duration of contract: Initial two-year fixed-term appointment. Further renewals may be given subject to satisfactory performance.

1. ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING

The World Maritime University (WMU) is a postgraduate and research university established in 1983 by the International Maritime Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations. WMU offers Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy programmes, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Professional Development Courses (PDCs) with the highest standards in maritime and oceans education and training. WMU also has a highly respected research programme supported by specialized research groups across the maritime and ocean fields. The Ocean Partnerships Officer position is located at WMU’s headquarters in Malmö, Sweden.

Since its inauguration in May 2018, the WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (GOI) has established itself as a leading centre of excellence by operating at the interdisciplinary interface of ocean science, policy, and law to deliver evidence-based research and capacity development programmes that address critical global oceans challenges such as the triple planetary crisis and the BBNJ Agreement.

Based at WMU’s headquarters, the Ocean Partnerships Officer (OPO) is a pivotal role designed to bridge the gap between academic excellence and global impact. The OPO will help promote the GOI’s strength, growth, and long-term sustainability, within the framework of WMU’s Development Plan. Working at the science-policy nexus, the OPO will contribute to ensuring that the GOI remains the "partner of choice" for global oceans initiatives through robust capacity-development and research dissemination.

2. MAIN PURPOSE

The OPO will report to the Vice President for Advancement and Operations, alongside functional collaboration with the Director of the WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (GOI) and the overall supervision of the President.

The OPO serves as the University’s lead liaison to the global oceans sector in terms of WMU’s Development Plan. This is a dynamic, strategic partnerships, programme development, and broad resource mobilization role focused on strengthening GOI’s institutional growth, external engagement and long-term sustainability. The OPO will develop and manage relationships with partners, funders, donors and institutional stakeholders in order to secure research funding, fellowship and capacity development opportunities, in-kind contributions, institutional collaborations and broader support for GOI’s growth.

The ideal candidate is an entrepreneurial professional who excels at strategic partnership-building, programme development, institutional engagement and resource mobilization. As a collaborative and strategic problem-solver, the OPO will work closely with the Vice President for Advancement and Operations and the Director of GOI to handle high-level partnerships and opportunities. The OPO will also collaborate across the WMU community to secure proposals, donor engagement communications and touch points, and stewardship reports.

3. WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal contacts – Incumbent liaises and interacts with the University President and Vice Presidents, Director of GOI, Communications and Conference Officer, Conference & Events Coordinator, and faculty members on a regular basis as well as with support staff as required.

External contacts – Incumbent liaises with current and prospective partners, funders, donors, Marketing and Communications Working Group of the Executive Board, Executive Board, and other stakeholders as necessary.

4. DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES

The incumbent will be responsible for the following:

A. Strategic Network Development

• Map key stakeholders across the ocean conservation sector and develop compelling "value propositions" linking WMU/GOI research to global sustainability challenges.

• Identify and nurture partnerships with academic institutions, international bodies, philanthropic foundations, and private industry.

• Travel and meet with partners, funders, donors, and prospects, or deploy WMU/GOI leaders accordingly; represent WMU/GOI at global ocean conferences and support high-impact partnership, resource mobilization and external engagement initiatives.

B. Project and Grant Development

• Translate academic research into "investment-ready" proposals in collaboration with GOI researchers and WMU faculty.

• Prepare and negotiate formal partnership agreements, including MOUs and Letters of Intent.

• Collaborate with the Communications team to produce donor- and partner-facing content, including multi-channel toolkits, pitch presentations, and quarterly newsletters.

C. Relationship and Portfolio Management

• Design creative, long-term engagement strategies to deepen partner, donor, and institutional commitment and ensure efficient reporting on partnership outcomes.

• Maintain rigorous control records, revenue forecasts, and resource mobilization strategies. The incumbent shall also carry out additional/collateral tasks and other responsibilities as may reasonably be assigned by the WMU President.

5. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS – EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, LANGUAGE SKILLS

EDUCATION

Essential

• Advanced university degree in Marketing, International Relations, Business Administration or in a related social science or humanities discipline.

Desirable

• Specialized training or expertise in oceans affairs, the science-policy interface, research administration, international development, philanthropic grant-making, partnership development, institutional advancement, or capacity-development programmes would be an advantage.

EXPERIENCE

Essential

At least seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in international programme development, strategic partnerships, resource mobilization, grant or fellowship portfolio management, institutional engagement, or related fields, preferably in the ocean, sustainability, higher education, research, international organization, philanthropic, or public-interest sectors.

Demonstrated experience designing, launching, developing, or managing multi-partner international programmes or institutional initiatives, including the ability to translate emerging research, policy priorities, or institutional opportunities into operational programmes and partnership frameworks.

Proven experience building and maintaining partnerships with universities, research institutes, international organizations, foundations, governments, civil society organizations, or private-sector actors.

Experience contributing to resource mobilization, including the development of funding opportunities, grant proposals, donor- or partner-facing materials, in-kind contributions, institutional collaboration, consortium-building, or multi-year partnership opportunities.

Experience managing or supporting grant-making, fellowships, scholarships, research funding, capacity development, or higher-education partnership portfolios.

Demonstrated ability to work at the interface of research, policy, capacity development, and public engagement, including the ability to communicate complex scientific or institutional agendas to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Desirable

Experience in ocean affairs, marine science partnerships, ocean governance, biodiversity, sustainability, or related global environmental agendas.

Experience working with or alongside international universities, UN-related bodies, philanthropic foundations, public-interest organizations, or research institutions.

Familiarity with donor stewardship, CRM systems, prospect research tools, donor databases, or fundraising analytics would be an advantage.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Essential

• Excellent command of English both spoken and written

Desirable

• Knowledge of another UN language would be an advantage.

6. KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Essential

• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal skills, with the ability to write for and speak to diverse, high-level audiences.

• Interpersonal: Strong negotiation skills and the ability to work effectively in a multi- cultural team environment, and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non- discriminatory behavior and attitudes.

• Technical / Operational: Knowledge of research funding, fellowship, partnership, or capacity-development programme cycles, including partner liaison, monitoring, reporting, and outcome communication.

• Strategic Partnerships: Strong ability to identify, cultivate, and manage partnerships with universities, research institutes, international organizations, foundations, governments, and other stakeholders.

• Programme Development: Ability to develop new initiatives from concept to implementation, including programme design, partner alignment, and preparation of concept notes or proposals.

• Resource Mobilization: Understanding of broad resource mobilization, including research funding, institutional partnerships, in-kind contributions, donor engagement, and partnership stewardship.

• Personal Attributes: Entrepreneurial mindset, able to work independently under pressure and meet tight deadlines without administrative support

Desirable

• Multilingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience.

• Demonstrated experience using listening, diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships and motivate donors and volunteers.

• Strong negotiating and organizational skills.

• Experience using CRM systems.

• Familiarity with higher education, research administration, international fellowship or capacity-development programmes, or university-based research institutes.

7. APPLICATION PROCESS

• Salary: P4 Grade (ICSC scale), tax-free in Sweden, plus a comprehensive benefits and relocation package.

• Deadline: 31 July 2026.