Africa Blue Carbon Specialist at Nature Conservancy

The Africa Blue Carbon Specialist will lead the technical design, implementation, field management, and analysis of projects. The position will report to the Africa Forest Carbon Catalyst Director and work closely with the Africa Fisheries Strategy Manager, other global, regional, and local staff. The location for this position is Lamu or Mombasa in Kenya. No relocation or visa sponsorship or assistance is being offered with this position except for local labour employment requirements. This is an initial 2-year term-limited position with an extension of tenure subject to performance and availability of funds.

Specific Roles And Responsibility Scope Include

Conduct Science

• Develop and implement NCS research, especially in the context of mangrove, blue carbon, and restoration/conservation activities.
• Perform fieldwork including ecosystem, carbon and/or co-benefit assessments, and field monitoring, working with local communities on data and knowledge collection.
• Lead and support the establishment of a MEL plan that provides knowledge to develop conservation strategies.
• Develop, clean, analyze, and maintain relevant spatial and non-spatial datasets, and share data and results with colleagues and partners.
• Prepare program materials including presentations, memos, scientific journal articles, and other communications and train others in project-relevant topics and skills.

Build Partnerships

• Develop strategic partnerships with relevant agencies, academic partners, conservation organizations, and/or the private sector.
• Represent TNC at priority meetings and on committees where technical input is required.
• Ensure program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.

Grow with the Team

• May facilitate engagement with stakeholders to support establishment of blue carbon projects, including designing, preparing, implementing, and evaluating workshops, meetings, and events.
• May provide support to include NCS science and MEL content in priority grant proposals.
• May supervise volunteers, interns, contractors, or temporary staff.
• May work flexible schedule and travel frequently throughout the region. Works independently, working with supervisor as needed.
• May work over the weekends, in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, in hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.

What You'll Bring

• BA/BS degree in biology, environmental science, climate, environmental engineering, natural resource management or related field and 5 years’ experience in natural resource management or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Familiarity with issues related to nature-based solutions to climate change.
• Experience collecting, manipulating, analysing, and interpreting scientific data.
• Experience preparing reports of findings.
• Experience working with local communities, partners, government agencies, and the private sector.
• Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in spoken and written English.
• Good project management skills to support the development and implementation of workplans, grants, contracts, and project budgets

Desired Qualifications

• Multi-language skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Master’s degree in a related field and 3-5 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education/experience.
• Experience with mangrove ecology and mangrove conservation and restoration.
• Experience with statistical analysis and/or remote sensing.
• Knowledge of voluntary carbon standards and the project development cycle process.
• Blue carbon analysis, accounting, and/or expertise in developing Blue Carbon credits, especially in mangroves or other marine habitats.
• Experience with Measures, Evaluation, and Learning constructs and implementation.
• Intimate knowledge of and sensitivity with local and in-country social, economic, and political conditions and issues.
• Experience identifying key stakeholders and building and maintaining strategic partnerships.
• Experience coordinating complex projects in a decentralized organization, working across teams, operating units, and functions to achieve optimal results.
• Experience in taking initiative and working independently or with minimal oversight.
• Willingness and ability to undertake extended periods of field travel (at least 40%) domestically and internationally.