Joanna Buckley Email & Phone Number

Bristol, Gb

Greater Bristol Area, United Kingdom

At Global Fishing Watch, an international non-profit organisation, we are committed to advancing ocean governance through enhanced transparency. We leverage cutting-edge AI technology and satellite imagery to map and monitor human activity at sea, focusing primarily on commercial fishing. Our goal is to promote sustainable fishing practices and safeguard the global ocean commons.As the International Policy Director, I lead our efforts to shape global and regional policies that enhance the transparency of fisheries related activities. Reporting to the Chief Program Officer, I am a key member of the executive team, responsible for creating and implementing strategic international government relations initiatives. My role involves:Strategic Leadership: Developing and executing a multi-year work plan for the International Policy team, ensuring alignment with our 2030 strategy.Policy Advocacy: Leading our representation at international conferences and events, such as the Our Ocean Conference, UNOC, and the FAO Committee on Fisheries, to secure global recognition of transparency as a core ocean governance principle, vessel tracking agreements, and the sharing of ownership information.Collaborative Engagement: Forging and maintaining key relationships with governments and international organisations, including Canada, the European Commission, Japan, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States.Operational Oversight: Managing a talented team of policy experts and regional leads, guiding their efforts to support policy changes across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Pacific.Innovation and Implementation: Overseeing the development and piloting of interoperability tools for fisheries data exchange, enhancing global monitoring, control, and surveillance of industrial fishing fleets.

The £500 million Blue Planet Fund helps developing countries reduce poverty, protect and sustainably manage their marine resources, and deal with human-generated threats across 4 key themes: biodiversity, climate change, marine pollution, and sustainable seafood.My role centred on leading the UK government response to the 2023 ICAI review. Orchestrating collaborative efforts across FCDO and Defra, providing crucial advice to Ministers, oversight boards (e.g. the ODA Board), and addressing recommendations with strategic foresight.

Bristol, England, United Kingdom

• Oversight of a team of 16 to develop and implement policy to tackle one of the major threats to ocean sustainability. Policy areas included beneficial ownership, carding, vessel monitoring systems, catch certificates, electronic catch-reporting, and transhipment. • Led bilateral, trilateral, and multilateral negotiations to positively influence international cooperation, representing the UK at prestigious gatherings such as FAO COFI, PSMA Global Record, and GIES Working Group Meetings. • Provided frequent advice to Ministers and the Permanent Secretary, engaging with Devolved Administrations and ALBs to advance policy. • Championed the delivery of the UK Control and Enforcement and IUU Strategies, outlining post-Exit visions for the UK's priorities in each area over the coming years.• Managed policy inputs into MMO's operational delivery of large-scale Directorate projects (Inshore Vessel Monitoring Systems and the Fish Export Service). Key accomplishments: Establishing the IUU Fishing Action Alliance, fostering international coordination against IUU fishing (State and Non-State). Amplified engagement on IUU fishing across government. For example, ensuring IUU fishing is recognised as an environmental security concern within the National Strategy for Maritime Security.

London, England, United Kingdom

Led the successful delivery of an International Climate Finance portfolio totalling £169m, spanning Central and Latin America, as well as Indonesia. The portfolio included delivery via multilateral funds and through equity in two impact investment vehicles. a) A sustainable agriculture program in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank and the Government of Brazil. Empowered small- and medium-sized farmers to adopt climate-smart technologies, fostering resilience and sustainability in production practices.b) Directed strategic investments into the Eco Business Fund, a blended finance vehicle catalysing business and consumption practices aligned with biodiversity conservation, sustainable resource use, and climate change adaptation and mitigation.c) Oversaw investments into the Land Degradation Neutrality fund, supporting projects aimed at reducing or reversing land degradation.Simultaneously, provided visionary leadership to a geographically split policy team based in the UK and Brazil.Steered international sustainable agriculture policy and evidence, actively engaging with FCDO. Played a pivotal role in supporting sustainable agriculture campaigns at major global events, including COP26, the G7, and the Food Summit.

London, United Kingdom

Oversaw the strategic direction of the Business Innovation Facility, a £40m initiative channelling development assistance to bolster the private sector's pivotal role in development. Collaborated with multinational giants such as Unilever, ARM, and Diageo to foster global impact.As a Policy Adviser, inputted into reconstruction efforts in hurricane-affected UK Overseas Territories. Pioneered a dynamic public-private forum to facilitate engagement on long-term recovery, reconstruction, and investment. Successfully attracted partnerships with key players like Standard Chartered and Virgin Group, catalysing transformative initiatives.Championed sustainable finance policy outcomes for the UK-Africa Investment Summit, uniting heads of State from across Africa. Led comprehensive efforts encompassing local currency finance, impact investing, mobilisation, and infrastructure finance. Forged collaborative relationships across government sectors and with City of London stakeholders, briefing Ministers, No10, and Senior decision-makers. Navigated negotiations with Head of State delegations, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.

Oxford, United Kingdom

As the global leader of OPM’s Fragility, Conflict, and Security Practice, I managed tenders, ensured seamless project delivery, and orchestrated collaboration across OPM’s global offices and with mission aligned partner organisations. My leadership extended to overseeing a team of multidisciplinary specialists.In senior technical and management roles within ODA-funded international development projects, I navigated highly challenging contexts in countries such as Afghanistan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Somalia. My consultancy work focused on natural resource and environmental governance, conflict sensitivity, peacebuilding programming, and post-conflict economic development.

Bristol, United Kingdom

Consultancy work (primarily evaluation) for DFID and INGOs including Oxfam GB, World Vision, and Saferworld.

Afghanistan

Research lead for a value chain/ market analysis assignment for the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Food Fortification Programme in Afghanistan.

Sierra Leone

Country and comparative analysis of the impact of donor aid disbursements on the private sector in Sierra Leone and Solomon Islands.

Afghanistan

Research specialist on a multi-donor funded economic development programme (DFID, CIDA, USAID).

London, United Kingdom

Support for MNCs labour standards and compliance efforts with an emphasis on the textile sector.

Zambia

Mres In International Development, Research (Qual And Quant), International Development

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Bachelor Of Science (Bsc), Economics And International Development