Application Guide

How to Apply for Country Officer - Costa Rica

at Globalfishingwatch

🏢 About Globalfishingwatch

Global Fishing Watch is a unique international nonprofit organization that uses cutting-edge technology and satellite data to increase transparency in global fisheries. They partner with governments, researchers, and NGOs to combat illegal fishing and promote ocean sustainability through open data and innovative tools. Working here means contributing to tangible environmental impact while collaborating with a global network of ocean advocates.

About This Role

As the Costa Rica Country Officer, you'll lead the coordination of GFW's ETP regional project across four Latin American countries while serving as the primary liaison with Costa Rican government agencies and stakeholders. This role is impactful because you'll directly advance fisheries transparency, build local capacity for data-driven management, and help protect marine biodiversity in a key conservation region.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve morning coordination calls with regional partners in Colombia and Panama, followed by preparing materials for an upcoming workshop with Costa Rican fisheries officials. In the afternoon, you'd review grant deliverables, update project tracking systems, and draft communications to government stakeholders about data sharing initiatives. The role balances remote collaboration with periodic in-person meetings and workshops in Costa Rica.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Globalfishingwatch Is Looking For

  • Has 5+ years of hands-on experience in Costa Rica's marine sector, with demonstrated knowledge of fisheries management institutions like INCOPESCA and MINAE
  • Native Spanish speaker with proven ability to build relationships across government agencies, civil society, and international partners in Costa Rica
  • Combines technical understanding of fisheries/enforcement with practical experience in project coordination and stakeholder workshops
  • Understands both the policy landscape and on-the-ground realities of marine conservation in Costa Rica

📝 Tips for Applying to Globalfishingwatch

1

Highlight specific experience working with Costa Rican government agencies like INCOPESCA, SINAC, or the Coast Guard in your resume

2

Demonstrate your regional coordination skills by mentioning projects that spanned multiple Latin American countries

3

Include concrete examples of organizing capacity-building workshops for government officials on technical topics

4

Show how you've used data or technology in previous marine conservation work, even if not GFW's specific tools

5

Emphasize your grant management experience with international donors, particularly reporting and deliverable tracking

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your specific understanding of Costa Rica's marine institutional landscape and decision-making processes", 'Examples of successful stakeholder relationship-building with government agencies in Costa Rica', 'Experience coordinating multi-country projects in Latin America', 'Demonstrated ability to translate technical data/tools into practical training for non-technical audiences']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → GFW's specific work in Latin America, particularly their existing partnerships in Colombia, Panama, and Ecuador
  • → Costa Rica's current marine protected areas and fisheries management policies
  • → GFW's technology platform and how it's used for monitoring and enforcement
  • → Recent news about illegal fishing or transparency initiatives in Costa Rican waters

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach building relationships with Costa Rica's Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) to advance data sharing?
2 Describe your experience organizing workshops that successfully built government capacity on technical topics
3 How have you managed projects with deliverables across multiple countries and stakeholders?
4 What specific challenges do you foresee in implementing transparency initiatives in Costa Rica's fisheries sector?
5 How would you explain GFW's technology to a skeptical fisheries enforcement officer?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Generic applications that don't mention Costa Rica specifically or demonstrate local knowledge
  • Overemphasis on academic credentials without showing practical government engagement experience
  • Failing to demonstrate understanding of how technology supports fisheries management (not just conservation generally)

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Globalfishingwatch!

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