Openings at Nature Conservancy

Roles and Responsibilities

• Design and implement TNC Africa Climate Adaptation Strategy including a robust and scientifically sound theory of change, to accelerate and scale the deployment of NBS.
• Coordinate a regional climate adaptation team to provide high-level support and coordination for climate adaptation work through the implementation of nature-based approaches to adaptation, science and other policy and finance mechanisms.
• Design, coordinate, collaborate, implement, support complex and diverse projects, encompassing multiple programs in multiple countries, and coordinating the work of other professionals, inside and outside the organization.
• Incorporate cross-disciplinary knowledge to support program objectives.
• Provide adaption policy support to inform adaption workstreams in the UNFCCC and other national and regional adaptation policy processes, including the Global Goal on Adaptation.
• Maintain and build on TNC’s role as a major conservation and adaptation partner within the Region’s NBS community.
• Serve as the principal climate adaptation contact and develop and maintain productive collaborations with governments, communities, other conservation organizations, and foundations – as well as with TNC staff in other regions and globally.
• Build capacity internally and externally for NBS design and implementation, including strategies for understanding and addressing barriers, and support the build out of extensive outreach and training opportunities.
• Build the capacity of partners and local actors such as coastal and fisher communities, pastoralists, and smallholder farmers to manage better and address adaptation needs and actions
• May require frequent travel domestically and/or internationally and evening and weekend hours.

What You’ll Bring:

• BA/BS degree and 7 years’ experience in conservation practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Extensive understanding of the science of and experience in implementing climate change adaptation projects, natural climate solutions and nature-based solutions in general.
• Experience working with and advising on current trends and practices in climate science and nature-based approaches to adaptation, especially in an African context.
• Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting, and achieving objectives and managing performance.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
• Experience working with communities and actors at local/community level on climate related and resilience building issues.
• Experience negotiating.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Fluency in French an added benefit.
• Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• 7-10 years’ experience in conservation and climate adaptation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience influencing, developing, and implementing adaptation and conservation policy and plans.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in climate adaptation and NCS in Africa.
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Politically savvy.
• A passion for nature and wild places.

go to method of application »

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.

go to method of application »

Specific functions include:

• Undertakes and leads applied scientific research to assist Africa leadership in determining priority areas and geographies for the Conservancy’s work in Africa – in alignment with TNC’s 30 by 30 Goals, including by designing and testing conservation interventions, and predicting the impact of potential strategies for nature, climate, and people.
• Works with regional and country teams in Africa to address science capacity gaps and identify opportunities for strengthening evidence-based decision-making and ways to optimize resources and impacts to support program implementation. They will work to further share knowledge and synergies across teams in Africa.
• Facilitates the deployment of global and regional science resources and expertise for the development, execution, and integration of work streams in connection with the Africa Program strategy, ensuring that there is a good flow of communication between functions and assisting, as necessary, in making relevant connections others across Africa and TNC more broadly.
• Collaborates with a wide range of conservation partners (in TNC at local, regional, and global levels) to identify research needs, present technical concepts, and support fieldwork.
• Support TNC Africa’s partners in co-developing scientific strategies, including but not limited to capacity building.
• Builds solid collaborative networks within and outside TNC in support of conservation strategies. Works with country and regional teams to establish partnerships with universities and institutions to support and advance a research agenda to support African conservation strategies.
• Communicates with scientists and non-scientist conservation practitioners, philanthropy, government relations, and marketing/communications staff, and serves as a spokesperson and advocate for Conservancy initiatives in coordination with the Africa Conservation and Policy Directors.
• Advocates for and raises the visibility of TNC.
• Pursues public and private grant funding to support mission-critical science needs.
• Coordinates, advises and coaches African staff to ensure that science tools, methods, and metrics capabilities are available to all African countries. Provides training and mentoring to African staff on ecological and conservation scientific principles.
• Promotes inclusion, a diverse workforce, diversity of thought, and shared ownership and commitment to the organization’s highest priorities.
• Actively supports a culture of accountability for execution and results.
• Requires frequent domestic and international travel and may work in variable weather conditions at remote locations, hazardous terrain and/or under physically demanding circumstances.

We’re Looking for You:

If you’re looking for a career where you can find purpose, come join our region as the Director of Science – Africa. Not only will you fulfil conservation objectives across Africa, but you’ll contribute to conservation goals through many networks! We’re looking for a passionate, dedicated person to lead project teams and support our work. Communication, creativity, scientific mindset and relationship building are key in this role. Come join TNC and apply today!

What You’ll Bring:

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in science related field and 8 years’ experience in Conservation Science or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, coaching, leading, setting objectives, and managing performance.
• Experience in building and maintaining internal and external relationships across Africa region.
• Demonstrated ability to apply systems thinking to complex projects and challenging partnerships.
• Experience conducting original research and publishing in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Experience fundraising and/or writing grants and research proposals.
• Experience communicating and presenting the following steps and strategy to senior management.
• Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience, especially related to Africa.

Desired qualifications

• Multi-language skills experience appreciated.
• Ability to make independent decisions based on incomplete or ambiguous information and accepts associated risks.
• Strong strategic thinker and advanced analytical ability.
• Ability to develop work plans and project budgets.
• Ability to network extensively in scientific and conservation communities and maintain strong relationships.
• An active member of highly regarded professional groups and networks
• Experience developing practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
• Experience delivering practical, adaptable products and services to customers.
• Knowledge of politics and society with respect to environmental affairs.
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Demonstrated leadership and visionary qualities and ability to work effectively with and through others in a decentralized and geographically dispersed organization.
• Ability to deal effectively and diplomatically with all levels of management and staff.
• A passion for conservation and wild places across Africa.

go to method of application »

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 a motivated problem-solver. Our team in Africa is dedicated to protect the continent’s unique natural wonders, improve peoples’ lives and create vibrant and sustainable economies. Join us!

Specific Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the successful implementation of the operations and initiatives under CHEF to obtain the program planned results.
• Supervise and coach CHEF staff and consultants and oversee/ensure integration of all the technical work.
• Serve as primary contact for the program, ensuring strong TNC internal coordination with other relevant programs and offices.
• Apply design thinking to CHEF strategic planning and obtain any required approvals at key decision points.
• Provide financial management oversight, analyze budgets, and provide updates to the BU on budget expenditures.
• Establish the required connections with key stakeholders and lead the development of key partnerships.
• Lead the fundraising efforts and seek opportunities to leverage funding from other programs implemented in the region.
• Responsible for timely delivery of required plans, monitoring of activities, and evaluation of the program performance.
• Responsible for risk management, issue resolution, conflict management and of collaboratively complex problems solving.

What You’ll Bring:

• BA/BS degree agribusiness, business management, economics, international development and 10 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong strategic development skills.
• Experience directing complex programs and managing and supervising multi-disciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in one or more the following technical areas: land health, water management, biodiversity, climate mitigation, and livelihoods and community development.
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives, and managing performance.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain productive working relationships with donor representatives, government officials, private sector actors, and other stakeholders.
• Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation.
• Experience working with current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and geographic regions.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
• Experience negotiating
• Experience with financial management of a large program.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline such as agribusiness, business management, economics, international development, and 10 years of experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong experience in partnership management/development with major scientific organisations, non-profit partners, community groups and government agencies and proven track record in influencing and working productively with these stakeholders.
• Strong English language communications skills, including ability to communicating clearly via written, oral, and graphical forms, and ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
• Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Experience developing practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
• Experience and knowledge of methods and approaches to conceiving and implementing strategic and transdisciplinary initiatives.
• Experience working in a matrix organisational setting.
• Developing practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant
• Politically savvy.