Lawyer*, Marine Biodiversity Conservation

ClientEarth is seeking a qualified lawyer specializing in marine biodiversity conservation for a remote, fixed-term position based in Metro Manila, Philippines. The role involves contributing to the Food Systems, Ocean and Land Use Programme, focusing on legal research, strategy development, and stakeholder engagement in marine environments in the Philippines and Indonesia. The position offers an annual salary of ₱2,100,000 and aims to address the biodiversity crisis.
Lawyer*, Marine Biodiversity Conservation

Application Deadline: 17 May 2026

Department: Global Impact

Employment Type: Fixed Term - Full Time

Location: Remote - Manila

Reporting To: Joyce Melcar Tan

Compensation: ₱2,100,000 / year


DescriptionThis is an excellent opportunity for a qualified lawyer with experience in marine biodiversity conservation in the Philippines and/or Indonesia to contribute to the work of ClientEarth’s new Food Systems, Ocean and Land Use (FOLU), Japan and Southeast Asia Programme. The successful candidate will play a key role in advancing biodiversity conservation in marine environments in the Philippines and/or Indonesia and the broader region, leveraging their expertise in marine and biodiversity law, policy, and regulation. This is a remote, fixed-term position for one year, with the possibility of extension based on performance, funding, and organisational need.


In this role, you will make significant contributions to our early-stage nature strategy, engage with partners and build a network of relationships across the Philippines/Indonesia and Asia to strengthen nature conservation and address the biodiversity crisis, actively develop ClientEarth’s work in these countries, conduct legal, technical and factual research and drafting, and present our work both internally and externally to various stakeholders.

Meet your Manager

In this role, you will be managed by Joyce Melcar Tan. Joyce joined ClientEarth in 2020 and is based in London. She works with civil society, regulators, and the private sector to facilitate the transition to a climate-neutral economy. She also leads efforts to enhance capacity for climate and environmental law practice in Asia. In previous roles Joyce has worked on climate change, human rights, energy and natural resources regulation, disaster governance, strategic litigation, environmental law education, and South-South collaboration in the Philippines and Colombia. She has an MSc in Environment and Development from the University of Edinburgh, She obtained her JD from Ateneo de Manila School of Law, Philippines. She is qualified in the Philippines and in the State of New York, USA (non-practicing).

Main dutiesStrategy Development: Contribute to the development and implementation of ClientEarth's strategic priorities in the Philippines/Indonesia, including through country-level insights, risks or lessons learned, and ensuring alignment with regional and global strategies.Legal Research and Analysis: Conduct in-depth research and analysis on marine biodiversity conservation law, policy, and regulation in the Philippines/Indonesia, particularly focusing on: the designation and governance of marine protected areas (MPAs) and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) and how traditional knowledge can be successfully incorporated in these; illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; due diligence and supply chain transparency regulations in the seafood industry; and implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and the 30x30 target.Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders in the Philippines/Indonesia, including government agencies, industry leaders, civil society organisations, and donors.See the job description (below) for a full list of duties for this role.
Role requirementsFluent (CEFR level C2) in English Fluent (CEFR level C2) in Filipino and/or Bahasa Indonesia Relevant legal professional qualification in the Philippines and/or Indonesia Experience in marine biodiversity conservation law, policy, and regulation, particularly in MPAs, OECMs, traditional knowledge of IPLCs, and IUUSpecific knowledge of the Philippines' or Indonesia’s marine biodiversity conservation landscape and progress towards GBF implementation and the 30x30 targets (essential)
Strong interest in nature conservation and its intersection with climate change See the job description (below) for a full list of requirements for this role.
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Flexible working: We are proud to be a Flexa accredited Employer. Visit our Flexa Employer page for more information on our approach to flexible working. Our flexible working policy allows our people the choice to decide to work from home/another location in the country where their contract of employment is issued for 80% of their month, with the other 20% of their month being office-based See our Benefits page for more as well as our flexible working FAQ.

ClientEarth values diversity and inclusion and the benefits this brings. We aim to appoint the most suitable candidate at all times and welcome applications from people from all different backgrounds. See our equity, diversity and inclusion journey page for more.

Please note that ClientEarth is only able to employ those who have the pre-existing legal right to work in the countries listed at the top of this job advert.

ClientEarth is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or legal services to third parties.