Association of Environmental Conservation and Rural Integrated Development (ACADIR) is a non-governmental organization founded in 2001. ACADIR is based in the province of Cuando Cubango, in Menongue city, with the goal of protection and conservation of the environmental and the sustainable development of communities. ACADIR has been working in the Angolan portion of the Okavango River basin for more than 15 years. ACADIR has implemented community conservation and development activities in Cuando-Cubango Province in the localities of Caiundo, Cuangar, Calai, Mucusso and Savate. In KAZA TFCA is implementing several projects on sustainable conservation livelihoods in the Angolan portion of two national parks – Luengue-Luiana and Mavinga.
Founded in 1951, the Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. One of our core values is our commitment to diversity. Therefore, we strive for a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Working in 72 countries, including all 50 United States, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.
The Nature Conservancy Africa program follows a holistic approach to protect vital lands and waters, transform the way natural resources are used and managed, and inspire to equip others to contribute to the shared vision of a healthy and sustainable future for Africa’s lands, waters, wildlife and people.
ACADIR and TNC have partnered together to advance community-based conservation and development in the upper catchment of the Cubango-Okavango River Basin (CORB) in Angola, with a focus on the Cubango and Cuito River systems, given shared goals and complementary capacities. TNC’s Okavango Basin Program aims to conserve the source waters of the Cubango-Okavango River Basin through targeted strategic interventions in collaboration with communities, government and the private sector. TNC will do this by supporting conservation of the priority headwaters using community-based fisheries and forest conservation, providing the generation of robust science to support decision making on large water and energy infrastructure development, and supporting the establishment of sustainable finance mechanisms to support conservation and development.
TNC is currently in the process of registering as an international non-governmental organization in Angola and will operate under ACADIR until that is finalized.
Job Description:
The Angola Government Relations Advisor will play a key role in the development and implementation of TNC’s sustainable energy and source water protection strategies to achieve the Conservancy’s goals through interaction with governments, representatives of inter-governmental bodies in Angola e.g., Gabinete para a Administração das Bacias Hidrográficas do Cunene, Cubango e Cuvelai (GABHIC) within the Ministry of Energy and Water and Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) and the corporate sector in Angola.
The position will support the establishment and implementation of TNC’s emerging work in Angola. The Angola Government Relations Advisor will be a member of TNC’s Africa External Affairs team and will be based in Luanda, Angola.
The Angola Government Relations Advisor will work with an interdisciplinary team to serve as a subject matter expert and advisor to TNC and the Angolan Government on complex and strategic issues, particularly related to sustainable energy development and natural resource management.
The role will support the implementation of TNC Programs in Angola by ensuring that there is government buy-in and support, and will work closely with TNC and ACADIR staff, as well as in partnership with national and local government institutions, bi- and multi-lateral funding agencies (e.g., USAID, Global Environment Facility), and the conservation/environmental sector in Angola.
The Angola Government Relations Advisor will liaise with TNC’s Global Strategy teams, Science and Field Conservation staff, External Affairs departments, and other Operating Units in TNC to further conservation goals, policies and strategy, and will develop and implement a government relations and policy strategy to engage partners, bi- and multi-lateral funding agencies, regional policy bodies, and the Angolan government to advance TNC’s partnerships and conservation strategy in the country and establish the Conservancy as a major and trusted conservation partner in Angola.
Responsibilities and Scope:
- Develops relationships and works effectively with corporate, government, community, international donor agency and non-governmental organization partners.
- Applies a diversified knowledge of practices to support TNC’s Freshwater, Oceans, Energy and Indigenous Peoples & Local Communities
- Supports program objectives by working in a complex matrix organization environment and works collaboratively within a cross-functional interdisciplinary team.
- Acts independently within broad program goals i.e., community-based and landscape level conservation, sustainable finance, smart development, science and capacity building, and strategic partnerships.
- Works with the Angolan government and other partners to secure funds (e.g., from international lending agencies, bilateral development groups, and private investors) to create and support the implementation of a lower-impact renewable energy system scale plan for Cuando Cubango Province.
- Participates as a key voice for the Ocean Protection team to provide necessary input and linkages to guide the development and roll-out of TNC’s marine program in Angola, with respect to national government participation, priorities and perspectives.
- Develops and implements multi-year fundraising strategies and goals.
- Participates in and negotiates for complex, high profile or sensitive agreements (e.g., Ocean protection commitments and related sustainable financing arrangements).
- As a member of TNC’s Africa External Affairs Team, works closely with philanthropy staff and TNC’s global strategy teams to leverage key donor engagement and support.
- Manages multi-disciplinary administrative and professional staff, with responsibility for performance management, training and career development.
- Participates in fundraising activities to ensure that public and private funds are raised to meet program needs.
Minimum Qualifications:
- BA/BS degree and 7 years’ experience in conservation practice or environmental policy, management related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Fluency in Portuguese and English.
- Analytical and project management experience.
- Demonstrated experience in successfully developing and implementing complex projects in an unstructured environment.
- 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 developing, directing and managing multiple projects and implementing strategic program goals.
- Proven communication and presentation skills.
- Proven negotiation skills.
- Demonstrate a good understanding of the country’s key national priorities
Interested candidates should submit an application letter as well as a Curriculum Vitae that includes at least three (3) referees, to the ACADIR offices in Menongue OR by email to: José Américo Américo Filipe Filipe at [email protected] and [email protected]
Closing date for applications: 15 November 2021
