Wetlands Conservation Specialist at Nature Conservancy

WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU
TNC seeks a Wetlands Conservation Specialist to advance TNC’s freshwater strategy within our strategic geographies. This individual will oversee all aspects of wetland and peatland conservation, stewardship, science, and community relations as part of TNC’s commitment to protecting freshwater systems within these geographies. The initial scope for the Wetland Conservation Specialist will be as the principal driver and manager of wetland conservation activities in the Okavango Basin. They will provide technical and management guidance and oversight to ensure wetland conservation at scale in this region.

The Wetland Conservation Specialist will develop and work closely with key partners in the Okavango basin and the region. They will collaborate with a dynamic, international team of conservationists, scientists, and policy experts from the wider TNC community. The position can be based in any location in Africa where TNC has an office (Kenya, Angola, Gabon, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia) and will require frequent travel to the Okavango basin (Angola, Botswana, and Namibia). The Wetlands Conservation Specialist will report to the Freshwater Conservation Director and will work collaboratively with other experts in the Africa Business Unit and the broader TNC team as necessary.

The Wetlands Conservation Specialist’s key roles and responsibilities include:

• Develop and implement wetlands and peatlands conservation activities in the Okavango Basin Program and in other TNC Africa geographies as needed.
• Coordinate and facilitate science activities that support wetlands and peatlands conservation in the Okavango Basin Program and in other TNC Africa geographies as needed.
• Supports the development of yearly budgets and work plans for wetland and peatlands conservation in the Okavango Basin.
• Oversees monitoring of key deliverables, outputs, and outcomes as per the established work plans.
• Develop and manage key partnerships with public and private organizations from the conservation and environmental management sector.
• Facilitate coordination and collaboration among partners working on wetland and peatland conservation in the Okavango basin for effective and efficient implementation of activities.
• Contribute to the Africa Freshwater Protection Strategy as well as other Africa conservation strategies as needed. Negotiates complex and innovative solutions to advance wetland and peatland management and source water protection in the Okavango basin.
• Widely communicates solutions and best practices related to sustainable wetland conservation and management.
• Applies innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools, and frameworks to address sustainable wetland and peatland conservation needs and engage local community support for local conservation efforts.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and supervision to direct reports.
• Frequent travel domestically and/or internationally, evening and weekend hours. May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• BA/BS degree and 5 years experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Deep understanding of wetland science and conservation practice.
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including staffing, workloads, and finances under deadlines.
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives, and managing performance.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies
• Experience negotiating.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in conservation science or related field with demonstrated experience working in tropical wetlands and/or peatland systems.
• Over 8 years experience in conservation practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• International experience in wetlands conservation in multiple countries across Africa and beyond.
• Demonstrated experience influencing, developing, and implementing conservation policy and plans.
• Knowledge of application of remote sensing and geospatial tools/analysis.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and regions.
• Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives or related field.
• Ability to communicate clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means.
• Fluency in both English and Portuguese and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising.
• Politically savvy.