Japan Region Chief

Japan Region Chief

Location

This position is based in Tokyo, Japan.

Energy Transition Overview

The goal of the Energy Transition Team is to bend the curve on greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas production and use in the coming decade, while meeting the world’s energy needs affordably, securely, cleanly and equitably. We are achieving this through a defined set of objectives targeted at 1) reducing emissions from oil and gas production, delivery, and use, and 2) reducing demand for oil and gas in power generation, transportation, buildings, and industry. To achieve our goal, we seek reforms in law, regulation, and/or business practice through a set of strategic corporate partnerships, direct engagement with policymakers, and mobilizing investor and public sentiment in favor of change. To achieve our objectives, we facilitate cutting-edge science, technical innovation, and rigorous economic and financial analysis to develop durable solutions.

Climate Resilient Fisheries & Oceans Overview

Healthy oceans are the lifeblood of our planet. But they are in peril – from climate change, overfishing, habitat destruction, and other threats. That is why EDF’s Climate Resilient Fisheries & Oceans team is working to safeguard the oceans and protect nature while feeding the planet, creating more secure livelihoods, and bolstering more equitable societies for human well-being. One of the greatest threats to the oceans is overfishing, which is why our dedicated team of scientists, economists, and fishery management experts is collaborating with partners around the globe to make sustainable fishing the norm. Through our work in the U.S., Latin America, and the Asia Pacific, we draw on strong science and economic principles to advance sustainable fishing practices, forward-looking policies and innovative tools that support the health of our oceans and the people who depend on them for food and their livelihoods.

Japan is a global economic and political leader and making progress on global environmental goals requires strong engagement. EDF’s work in Japan currently focuses on two main priorities:

to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas production and use, while meeting the world’s energy needs cleanly and equitably and to safeguard the ocean, protect nature and create more secure livelihoods by ensuring climate resilient fisheries.

We draw on strong science and economics and innovative partnerships with policymakers, industry and investors to reform policies, regulations, and practices to achieve durable solutions.

Overall Function

The Japan Region Chief will be the EDFs principal representative in Japan, leading Environmental Defense Fund’s (EDF's) Japan-based work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and deliver climate-resilient energy and fishery solutions. Working the context of global teams, they will develop and execute strategies to advance EDF’s goals in Japan. This will require building and cultivating relationships with key stakeholders and policymakers, identifying and acting on opportunities, addressing challenges, and ensuring effective internal and external communication to move objectives and goals forward. The Japan Region Chief will be an integral member of the Energy Transition and Fisheries and Oceans teams and will work closely with colleagues across EDF’s regions, impact areas, and core competencies to achieve EDF’s goals and objectives in Japan. They will also support EDF’s regional work across the Asia-Pacific, engaging stakeholders in key countries, particularly South Korea, and partnering with Southeast Asian counterparts to strengthen emissions transparency and align policy and industry approaches. They will also be responsible for understanding EDF’s overall vision across all areas, which currently include EDF’s eight Impact Areas, and Four Solutions sets, and identifying opportunities for strategic advancement in Japan. This position will also support fundraising activities to furthering this work in Japan and more broadly.

This position requires the ability to travel nationally, as well as internationally as needed, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. The Japan Region Chief will report to the Senior Vice President, Energy Transition, with clear communication to the Vice President, Fisheries & Oceans and Executive Vice President, Regions.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the EDF’s lead representative in Japan, advancing EDF’s goals with policymakers, industry leaders, civil society, and more.

• Act as a resource and serve as an effective spokesperson for EDF.

• Develop and advance EDF strategy, goals, and objectives in Japan in collaboration with relevant EDF colleagues.

• Lead, manage, and mentor the EDF Japan-based team; identify and engage consultants as needed.

• Forge alliances among policy, industry, academia, and civil society groups necessary to achieve the goals and objectives of EDF in Japan and across the broader Asia Pacific region.

• Participate in advancing EDF’s organizational effectiveness and culture goals, so people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included and empowered to address environmental and organizational challenges in ways that align with EDF values.

• Maintain and deepen relationships with Japanese governing bodies, including but not limited to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Ministry of Environment (MOE), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the National Institute of Environmental Studies (NIES), and Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency (FRA), relying on deep understanding of Japan policy and politics and network of influential decision-makers to advance EDF’s environmental goals.

• Work collaboratively with the Development team to raise revenues to support EDF work in Japan and elsewhere, playing a leading on-the-ground role in fundraising efforts, including cultivating new funders, maintaining relationships with current donors, tracking and reporting progress, and other functions as needed.

• Provide timely and thorough communications to senior leaders and other relevant EDF staff on all significant program developments.

• Engage scientists, policy experts, and others to solve complex environmental challenges for Japan within Japan, as well as where Japanese knowledge and expertise can contribute to global progress on EDF’s core goals.

• Engage the media to effectively build EDF’s reputation, advance project objectives, and communicate project results to a broad array of audiences.

• Liaise with EDF Board of Directors and donors as needed.

• Additional relevant responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive management experience in the public or private sector relevant to energy, oceans, and/or environment, with at least eight years of experience working on policy and regulatory issues, and Bachelor's Degree required. An advanced degree in Business, Law, Economics, and/or Engineering highly preferred.

• Thorough knowledge of relevant environmental laws and policies, and regulatory stakeholder processes in Japan and across Asia with experience in shaping, influencing, and/or implementing these.

• Excellent public speaking skills with the demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders and ability to distill complex issues into clear, succinct policy and regulatory recommendations.

• Proactive with the ability to effectively manage staff, employees, and consultants.

• A track record of working productively and collegially across a large, matrixed, global organization.

• Experience effectively engaging with high-level stakeholders across government, industry, academia, and civil society; preferably in the energy and/or sustainability field.

• Proven ability to secure funding for new projects and initiatives.

• Experience in strategic planning and research in support of strategic planning.

• Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency, and inclusivity, and the ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across all cultures and backgrounds.

• Strong planning, time management, and organization skills and attentive to detail.

• Ability to achieve impactful results and act decisively.

• Must be authorized to work in Japan.

• Fluency in written and oral Japanese and English is required.

• Willingness and ability to travel nationally and internationally as needed, especially in the APAC region.

We offer a strong total rewards package encompassing competitive salary, robust benefits, and professional development opportunities consistent with a modern global organization. We take into account factors such as candidate experience, skills, training, internal team equity and local norms.

Please note that pay ranges are country specific. As a result, the stated currency is not meant be converted into any other currency.