OFFICE LOCATION
Due to Covid-19 office closures, this position will initially be based remotely. Post-Covid closures, this position can be based out of any TNC office in the U.S or be fully remote from a U.S. location.
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A LITTLE ABOUT US
Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive.
We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. Whether it’s career development, work/life balance, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all of our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued.
Although you’ll see requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Passion, innovation, and diversity are all key components to advancing our Mission and we encourage you to apply.
NatureVest is the impact investment unit of The Nature Conservancy. NatureVest’s mission is to create and transact investable deals that deliver conservation results and financial returns for investors. Our vision is based on the conviction that capital markets, businesses and governments must invest in nature as the long-term capital stock of a sustainable, equitable and more efficient economy. To achieve our mission, we source and structure investment products that support TNC’s global strategies, raise capital for these investments, and share our knowledge and experience with the investment and conservation communities to amplify our efforts in this emerging area. To learn more, visit: www.naturevesttnc.org.
YOUR POSITION WITH TNC
There is a growing consensus among scientists and businesses that protection, restoration, and improved management of ecosystems can provide more than 30% of the climate mitigation needed to limit warming to 1.5⁰ C. Climate change is driving biodiversity loss and habitability of the planet for humans, for example, by exacerbating water scarcity, which threatens communities, food production, and ecosystems globally. Working landscapes, and in particular agriculture and forestry are exacerbating conversion of natural ecosystems and water scarcity around the world. TNC has ambitious goals to address these drivers of ecosystem loss and to expand natural climate solutions (NCS) on working lands through a number of strategies, including collaboration with investment firms in order to harness the power of capital markets to solve these global challenges.
The Project Director is a member of TNC’s NatureVest advisory team, which leads efforts to bring TNC’s conservation science and technical expertise to inform institutional investment partnerships that aim to deliver impact alongside returns. The Project Director works with TNC colleagues, governments, non-governmental organizations, businesses, and private landowners to implement wildlife-friendly agriculture, climate-smart forestry, and protection strategies. The Project Director contributes to implementation of two institutional investment collaborations, one focused on forestry in the United States and the other on sustainable agriculture and water management globally. The Project Director engages across multiple global teams and with regional TNC business units in locations where the two initiatives are focused – 12 U.S. states, Chile, Australia, and Peru.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Project Director is responsible for implementing and achieving TNC’s conservation priorities by representing the Conservancy in relationships and negotiations with external partners. They work closely and coordinate with a wide variety of TNC staff, private individuals, and public entities in support of conservation goals. They lead solicitation of government funding for conservation transactions, build relationships with government entities, and assist in private fundraising as necessary. The Project Director has familiarity with and practical experience with a subset or a wide range of conservation transaction techniques (e.g., easement, purchase, lease registry, conservation brokerage, water dedication, etc.) and may be an expert in one or more areas related to conservation finance (e.g., carbon/biodiversity/mitigation markets, economic evaluation of deals). They lead the implementation of transactions to achieve conservation outcomes across 12 states and 4 countries.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Responsibilities span 12 U.S. states and four countries and include management of cross-boundary work and interdisciplinary teams to achieve conservation outcomes.
- Negotiate real estate transactions and other conservation agreements, which can bind the Conservancy legally and financially.
- Plan and direct work on protection projects; recruit and supervise external contracts as needed or as funding is available.
- Build relationships with government agencies, particularly in the U.S., and with carbon/biodiversity credit brokerages; solicit funding for protection projects.
- Frequently makes independent strategic decisions based on analysis, ambiguous information, and context.
- Collaborates effectively with external partner to accomplish program goals.
- Negotiates complex agreements in a political environment.
- Works effectively under pressure and meets deadlines.
- Frequent travel domestically and/or internationally, may require evening and weekend hours.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- BA/BS degree in natural resources management, conservation, business, law or another related field of study and at least 5 years’ experience in land conservation, real estate, law, business or related field.
- Experience working with a wide range of people, such as landowners, corporate executives and government officials.
- Experience negotiating complex agreements.
- Experience in developing and managing multiple projects and timelines.
- Experience working with computers, including database management.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills (Spanish preferred) and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- Advanced degree is appreciated.
- Knowledge of current trends and strategies in conservation and land protection.
- Knowledge of and experience with carbon or biodiversity markets.
- Excellent project management skills.
- Strong team player who can build relationships and work collaboratively across a large, dispersed organization and with partners.
- Clear written and spoken communication in English.
APPLY NOW
To apply for job ID 50403, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by 11:59 PM EST on October 28, 2021. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact [email protected].
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!
TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [email protected] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.
