Africa Climate Director at Nature Conservancy

We’re Looking for You:

Are you looking for a career to help people and nature? Guided by science, TNC creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together.

We’re looking for someone who is passionate and motivated problem-solver. Our team in Africa is dedicated to resolving issues pertaining to climate change in creative and innovative ways. Come join us!

Specific rolesand key responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership for all of TNC Africa’s climate work – both on adaptation and mitigation.
• Design and implement TNC Africa’s Climate Strategy including a robust and scientifically sound theory of change, to accelerate and scale the deployment of NBS solutions.
• Build and manage a regional climate team to provide high-level support and coordination for climate work through science, partnerships, and other policy and finance mechanisms – including forest and restoration economies, and other financial, market and policy incentives.
• Design, fundraise for, coordinate, collaborate, implement, support and/or direct complex and diverse projects, encompassing multiple programs and coordinating the work of other professionals, inside and outside the organization. Incorporate cross-disciplinary knowledge to support program objectives.
• Prepare and present project proposals and negotiate with governmental, bilateral, and multilateral agencies and/or the business and corporate sector, to achieve program goals.
• Develop and implement, in conjunction with the Africa policy and government relations team, a policy engagement strategy for each country program around UNFCCC and other country and regional climate policy.
• Provide thought leadership and guidance on TNC Africa’s engagement in advancing carbon markets (including jurisdictional-level work and compliance markets).
• Engage closely with TNC Africa’s philanthropy team to engage partners and donors in fundraising discussions to support our NCS work in Africa. Articulate a vision with colleagues, peers, donors, and partners resulting in dedication to NCS work.
• Maintain and build on TNC’s role as a major conservation partner within the Region’s NCS community.
• Serve as the principal climate contact and coordinate closely with TNC’s External Affairs and other regional teams, in establishing productive collaborations with governments, other conservation organizations, and foundations.
• Collaborate with platforms such as Nature4Climate to build regional awareness and momentum for NCS implementation and develop, service, and maintain a strong network of global colleagues in regions where NCS projects are deployed.
• Build capacity internally and externally for NBS (adaptation and mitigation) implementation, including strategies for understanding and addressing barriers, and support the build out of extensive outreach and training opportunities.
• Build capacity internally and externally for climate adaptation and mitigation implementation.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
• May require frequent travel domestically and/or internationally and evening and weekend hours.

What You’ll Bring:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS degree and 10 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Extensive understanding of the science of and experience in designing and implementing nature-based climate change adaptation and mitigation projects (natural climate solutions and nature-based solutions in general).
• Experience designing, implementing, and directing complex or multiple projects of strategic importance, including managing finances, supervising multidisciplinary professionals from diverse backgrounds and coordinating the work of partners while meeting deadlines.
• Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation.
• Experience working with current trends and practices in climate science, nature-based solutions and how this touch down in Africa.
• Experience leading high-performance teams including, motivating, supervising, setting objectives and managing performance.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
• Experience networking with high level conservation contacts.
• Strong English language communications skills, including ability to communicate clearly via written, oral, and graphical forms, and ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
• Strong strategic development skills.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in conservation, Natural Resource Management, forestry, and 10-12 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of climate and natural climate solutions policies (UNFCCC, REDD+, NDCs, NAPAs) and international initiatives (AFR100, Bonn Challenge, Nature4Climate) and substantial networks and experience in the UNFCCC process.
• Multi-lingual skills (Kiswahili, French and/or Portuguese) and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated
• Developing practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
• Knowledge of non-carbon markets-based financing mechanisms such as green supply chains product certification.
• Knowledge of politics and society with respect to environmental affairs.
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and French.
• Experienced in working well in a highly matrixed, decentralized, and collaborative organization.
• Politically savvy.