CCB is looking for a Network Officer to join our team at the CCB International Secretariat (closed)

CCB • April 9, 2025

Coalition Clean Baltic – CCB is a politically independent network, uniting 27 environmental non-profit organizations, as well as partners and experts from 11 countries surrounding the Baltic Sea. The main goal of CCB is to promote the protection and improvement of the environment and natural resources of the Baltic Sea region by encouraging new and constructive approaches and engaging people to become part of the solution instead of part of the problem. CCB Secretariat is based in Uppsala, Sweden.


CCB* is recruiting a Network Officer to play a central role in strengthening the voices of its Member and Observer organizations in joint actions. This includes acting as a point of contact between the CCB Member organizations as well as the CCB Secretariat, facilitating a coordination platform to promote joint efforts and impacts, gathering and sharing information about activities in the Baltic Sea Region that are of relevance to Members and Observers. The Network Officer will also work with supporting Members and Observers’ national and joint international work in different ways, i.a. organizational, capacity building, outreach and financial support to their environmental activities. 


You will work closely with the CCB Secretariat team in Sweden and beyond on different topic-wise issues to ensure effective implementation of CCB’s projects and initiatives. You will also support the development and coordination of CCB’s strategic and thematic plans and ensure their effective implementation.


The CCB Network Officer

  • Serves as the main liaison and contact person between the CCB Secretariat, Working Area Leaders, Working Group Coordinators and Members & Observers;
  • Facilitates coordination through the CCB platform to strengthen Members & Observers cooperation;
  • Maintains direct and permanent in- and outbound communication channels for Members & Observers;
  • Ensures implementation of CCB Constitution provisions relevant for Members & Observers;
  • Represents the CCB, its Members/Observers at relevant events or networking opportunities; 
  • Prepares and coordinates the implementation of the Network Development Strategy.



More specifically the position includes the following tasks and responsibilities:

  • Keeping the registry of CCB Members & Observers updated, including general and specific contacts for Working Areas and Working Groups;
  • Advising on the development and implementation of the Network’s Development Strategy;
  • Promoting CCB Membership / Observership: seeking for new potential Member Organisations; keeping membership criteria updated and visible; supporting on-/offboarding of network Members & Observers;
  • Coordinating arrangements of General Meetings and Annual Conferences (dates and venues, hosts, etc.), as well as performing the secretary functions for those (circulating documents, taking minutes);
  • Coordinating the arrangement and supporting communication & promotion of CCB joint events that serve the whole network, incl. Our Common Baltic, River University, Baltic Climate School, etc.;
  • Regularly liaising with Members & Observers to respond to any questions related to CCB and to have an overview of what they’re working on/are interested in, and what their challenges are;
  • Facilitating and promoting active participation of Members & Observers in the CCB Working Areas/Working Groups and joint events;
  • Facilitating implementation of relevant CCB policies (travel policy, gender policy); supervising the implementation of CCB’s Travel Policy, incl. climate footprint of travels/events;
  • Monitoring and coordinating training opportunities for Members & Observers;
  • Facilitating CCB financial support to Members & Observers, based on their applications and requests;
  • Facilitating communication of Members & Observers’ news across CCB via the internal newsletter;
  • Supporting communication functions by providing information and updates about Members & Observers through CCB’s communication materials and channels, regarding activities relevant to CCB;
  • Supporting the CCB Communication Officer’s work as agreed and deemed necessary;
  • Cooperating with and providing ad hoc support to other staff, as needed.



Required skills and backgroud:

We are seeking candidates with:


-  Relevant knowledge of global, EU and regional environmental policies, preferably in the NGO sector;

-  BSc./MSc. qualification in communication (environmental / intercultural) or social sciences;

-  Previous experience in similar positions, e.g. working on memberships support, working in multicultural environment, as well as competences in events organization;

-  Skills and experience in communication tools and channels, e.g. newsletter tool;

-  EU citizenship or at least residence and work permit in order to travel for work purposes;

-  Excellent proficiency in spoken and written English.


We would also welcome interest from candidates who have been working in wider/non-marine environmental policy areas, if they can demonstrate relevant skills and knowledge.



Desirable skills:

Experience of working for a non-profit organization is a merit.


Working knowledge of any other language common in the Baltic Sea catchment area, including Swedish, Danish, Finnish, German, Polish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and Ukrainian.


If you are an adaptable, people-oriented and solutions-focused professional with advocacy or campaigning expertise, a positive disposition, a passion for environmental conservation, vibrant team spirit and a can-do attitude, we’d love to hear from you!



Salary: Salary comparable to NGO staff in Sweden and in accordance with the Collective Agreements of the respective unions. Subject to adjustment depending on experience and annual increase.


Location: Flexible, preferably within the Baltic Sea Region. Work from the office in Uppsala, as well as residence in Sweden is appreciated, but not mandatory. Several joint offline events for the whole Secretariat staff and Council expected per year in Sweden.


Travel: Candidates should be flexible to travel as required for meetings and events – mostly within the Baltic Sea Region. You may need to be able to participate in occasional events on weekends.


Contract type: Intended permanent position with 6-month probation period.


Starting time: As soon as possible, depending on availability of the chosen candidate.


Application and deadline


Should you be interested in applying for this position please send your CV (max. 2 pages) together with a personal letter (max. 1 page) before 15 May 2025 to secretariat@ccb.se.


Being an international organization, CCB’s work is carried out in English. Applications submitted in any other language will not be considered.


Incomplete applications (e.g. lacking either CV or personal letter) will be also not considered.


Likewise any inquiries related to this vacancy announcement should be forwarded to the above email or to Executive Secretary Mikhail Durkin at mikhail.durkin@ccb.se and +46 739 770 793.


In the application and hiring process, CCB will not discriminate against any individual based on race, colour, sex, language, religion, national or social origin, property, disability, age, family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, economic and social situation.


* Coalition Clean Baltic – CCB Being an international network organization, CCB has the advantage of being able to work both at the international and national policy levels as well as with concrete field projects. Four ways to reach our goal are: (1) Advocacy, (2) Information, environmental education and other activities, (3) Concrete co-operation projects in the field and (4) Support to Member Organizations. In order to strengthen its efforts and promote joint action to restore the environment of the Baltic Sea, CCB has 4 main Working Areas that are important for all its members: Eutrophication, Biodiversity, Hazardous Substances and Maritime.

CCB is Member of IUCN, BSAС; GWP Partner; Observer at HELCOM, NASCO, IWC.


To read more about CCB’s engagement in marine policy implementation, please visit our recent Annual Reports


Further information about CCB’s policies and main documents is available here.


NGOs urge stronger action as 2027 Baltic Sea fishing limits fall short of securing full recovery of fish populations

By CCB • October 27, 2026
27 October 2026 , Luxembourg - EU fisheries ministers increased central Baltic and Bothnian herring catch limits beyond the European Commission’s proposals and significantly increased the sprat catch limit, falling short of the precaution needed to protect the role of herring and sprat in the Baltic Sea food web. The Council also rejected proposed cuts to accidental catches of severely depleted cod and western Baltic herring populations. NGOs warn that fishing limits remain too high and urge EU ministers to follow the agreement with concrete plans to rebuild depleted fish populations. Herring: further measures needed to safeguard fragile recovery and protect vulnerable populations EU fisheries ministers increased the catch limit for central Baltic herring to 165 228 tonnes, a 71% increase compared with 2026. The population has shown signs of improvement after years of depletion. However, the central Baltic herring population remains vulnerable, and rebuilding must restore healthy age and size structures as well as overall abundance. Although below the scientific headline catch advice, the Council’s decision exceeds the Commission’s proposal, which was more precautionary and recovery-oriented and should have been followed by the ministers. “Ministers have recognised the need for caution, but still allowed more herring to be caught than the Commission proposed. These vulnerable populations need a stronger chance of lasting recovery, with clear rebuilding targets, a timetable for reaching them and measures that are implemented and enforced ,” said Cathrine Pedersen Schirmer, Senior Fisheries Policy Advisor at Coalition Clean Baltic. For Bothnian herring , ministers retained the three-month spawning closure but increased the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) by 12% , despite the population remaining below healthy levels. The Commission’s proposed TAC for this fish population was already a compromise between population rebuilding and maintaining fishing opportunities. The agreed higher TAC poses a risk to the recovery of the Bothnian herring population and creates increasing uncertainty for the industry. “ Fisheries decisions must also account for the risks to fish population recovery. Even catch limits within the ICES advice range can leave stocks at risk of remaining below the biomass levels that should trigger recovery measures. Fishing opportunities must give depleted populations a real chance to recover to healthy level s,” said Beatrice Rindevall, Chairperson of the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation. The Gulf of Riga herring TAC was also set above NGOs’ recommendations, with an increase of 11% compared with 2026, despite the recent decline in its spawning biomass and its importance to the Baltic food web. Lower limits for this fish population would have better supported population health and long-term resilience. Sprat: recovery must extend to the Baltic Sea food web The sprat agreement remains a significant concern. The Council’s decision, in line with the Commission’s proposal, to increase the sprat catch limit by 44% to 291 590 tonnes exceeds the level NGOs recommended. Although the population has increased, the agreed limit does not sufficiently account for sprat’s importance as prey for cod, salmon, seabirds and other marine wildlife, persistent catch misreporting or the risk of catching vulnerable herring alongside sprat. “ Herring and sprat are vital to the Baltic Sea ecosystem. When setting fishing opportunities, decision makers must leave enough prey in the water to support predators like cod and salmon, to rebuild ecosystem health and align with the EU’s nature restoration ambitions ,” said Justyna Zajchowska, Fisheries Lead for WWF Baltic Sea Programme. Salmon: no increase in catch limits, but stronger protection needed NGOs welcome the decision not to increase salmon fishing opportunities. However, fishing should be restricted to compensatory hatchery-released salmon or salmon from rivers where populations are at full reproductive capacity. Fishing on vulnerable wild populations must be avoided and, if returning salmon numbers are insufficient, additional adaptive management measures should be deployed immediately, considering the impact of recent poor spawning runs. “ Good returns to some large rivers are encouraging, but they do not demonstrate recovery across the Baltic region. Many smaller river populations remain in serious difficulty. We need fishing restrictions that protect those vulnerable salmon throughout their migration and allow enough fish to reach their spawning grounds ,” said Thomas Johansson, Chairman of Östersjölaxälvar i Samverkan and Secretary General of the Baltic Salmon Fund. Cod, western Baltic herring and plaice: Council misses opportunity to curb bycatch Both Baltic cod populations and western Baltic herring remain severely depleted. Targeted cod fisheries remain closed, while ministers retained the small-scale fisheries exemption for western Baltic herring. Yet ministers agreed bycatch quotas well above the Commission’s proposals for 2027 and at the same level as 2026, falling short of the protection sought by NGOs. For all three populations, the agreed bycatch quotas permit continued catches despite ICES advice for zero catch. The Council’s decision to increase the plaice TAC to 11,237 tonnes , well above the level NGOs recommended, missed an opportunity to secure a reduction in accidental cod catches. The decision also does not reflect the very low reported landings of this species. Declining weight and condition of plaice also warrant greater caution. The TAC must be combined with effective enforcement of mandatory selective gear to reduce cod bycatch and the implementation of the landing obligation. Annual fishing limits must support lasting recovery The Council’s decisions on Baltic Sea fishing opportunities for 2027 are not ambitious enough to secure restoration of all Baltic Sea fish populations. These decisions should be seen in the context of last year’s joint commitment by the European Commission and Baltic Sea Member States to seek dedicated scientific advice from ICES on rebuilding pathways for fish populations. In the absence of such rebuilding-oriented advice, and whilst we are waiting for it, decisions should be more cautious and based on the available recovery-focused catch options provided by the scientists in their traditional advice. Fisheries management must also support EU marine restoration objectives and the achievement of good environmental status in the Baltic Sea. Restoring fish populations and food webs is essential to the recovery of the sea itself and to the long-term future of Baltic fisheries and the coastal communities that depend on them. ENDS *** Further information: Link to Council decision Link to Commission’s proposal Link to Joint NGO recommendations on Baltic Sea fishing opportunities for 2027 Media contact: Beatrice Rindevall, Chairperson, Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, ordforande@naturskyddsforeningen.se Cathrine Pedersen Schirmer , Senior Fisheries Policy Advisor, Coalition Clean Baltic, Cathrine@ccb.se Justyna Zajchowska , Fisheries Lead, WWF Baltic Sea Programme, jzajchowska@wwf.pl Dr. Katja Hockun, Senior Expert Meeresschutz, Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V., hockun@duh.de Konrad Stralka , Executive Director, BalticWaters, konrad.stralka@balticwaters.org Magda Jentgena , Baltic Sea and Freshwater Programme Manager, Pasaules Dabas Fonds, mjentgena@pdf.lv Regan McEnroe , Chairperson, Nature and Youth Sweden, ordforande@faltbiologerna.se Tapani Veistola, Executive Director, Suomen luonnonsuojeluliitto (Finnish Association for Nature Conservation), tapani.veistola@sll.fi Thomas Johansson , Chairman, Östersjölaxälvar i Samverkan, and Secretary General, Baltic Salmon Fund, thomas@balticsalmonfund.com .

CCB's submission on sustainable fishing in the EU

By CCB • August 31, 2026
Uppsala, 31 August 2026 - Coalition Clean Baltic (CCB) welcomes the Commission’s recognition that declining fishing pressure has not consistently delivered higher biomass, that recruitment and biomass are deteriorating for a number of stocks, and that Baltic fisheries urgently need rebuilding trajectories. These findings must now shape the Council’s decision on the 2027 fishing opportunities and the Commission’s position during the Council negotiations. The poor status and decline of many Baltic Sea fish populations have been documented over several decades and show that the ecosystem is in severe distress. Cumulative human pressures have contributed to major ecosystem shifts, and at the same time climate change is making the shallow, semi-enclosed Baltic Sea warmer and less saline. These combined pressures affect not only fish biomass but also recruitment, population age and size structures, species interactions and the functioning of the wider food web. The Baltic crisis reflects the persistent failure to fully implement the CFP and the Baltic MAP, including their precautionary safeguards and the legal obligation to apply ecosystem-based fisheries management. Fishing opportunities for 2027 must therefore mark the first concrete step towards ambitious, timebound rebuilding trajectories that reduce fishing pressure and enable depleted populations to recover to healthy levels. These trajectories must include implementation of an ecosystem based approach by accounting for species interactions, food-web needs, habitat conditions, environmental and climatic change and scientific uncertainty, while reinforcing, not replacing the CFP’s objectives and the Baltic MAP’s existing safeguards in Art. 4.6. The Commission’s 2027 proposal is now before the Council. The October Council must turn the commitment to rebuild Baltic fish populations into measurable action by adopting fishing opportunities that deliver rapid and sustained recovery. Under no circumstances should the TACs adopted be higher than levels proposed by the European Commission. Fishing opportunities aligned with scientific evidence, legal safeguards and ecosystem needs are the basis for both a recovering Baltic Sea and viable fisheries in the long term. Read the full CCB's submission and recommendations here .