Job ID: 53748
Location: Africa;South Africa
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular
OFFICE LOCATION
Cape Town, South Africa
WHO WE ARE
The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.
One of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the people.”
Since establishing the Africa Program in 2007, The Nature Conservancy’s vision in Africa is to work towards fostering a sustainable future for people and nature, partnering with indigenous communities across 55 million acres on the continent. Our efforts are firmly rooted in people, leveraging scientific and technical expertise as we collaborate with governments and organizations to conserve and enhance Africa’s shared resources in the 9 countries we operate.
TNC’s work in Africa transcends three key pillars: securing ownership rights to lands and resources for indigenous people, strengthening leadership and resource management and helping communities value nature through a holistic appreciation of its benefits while increasing revenue streams for conservation efforts and socio-economic development. Together with our partners, we are witnessing critical milestones in integrated land and fisheries management, ocean and source water protection, energy development and sustainable food production, working together and strengthening our resolve in tackling global challenges such as climate change, habitat and biodiversity loss that stands to adversely impact the nearly 1.4 billion people that share Africa.
The South Africa program is one of TNCs newest country programs on the African Continent. Our goal is protecting the rich biodiversity for current and future generations, supporting government in mitigating climate change and building resilient communities.
WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER
The Conservation Manager is responsible for facilitating and implementing TNC SA’s strategic land and freshwater conservation priorities. They provide guidance to partners and coordinate protected area expansion applying appropriate mechanisms – protection, Stewardship, OECMs advise on technical aspects, and overseeing relations with partners, government and community stakeholder. This position serves as the principal contact to government agencies, other conservation organizations, partners and the academic community. They negotiate innovative solutions including Protected Area expansion options with government agencies, NGOs, partners and landowners to conserve and protect natural landscapes towards South Africa’s 30×30 targets. The Conservation manager is an expert in protection mechanisms and resources and advises the land and freshwater protection staff and government partners on the application of these tools for conservation advancement. Responsible for implementing and achieving the TNC South Africa’s conservation priorities by overseeing and representing the Conservancy in relationships and negotiations with government agencies and advisory committees.
May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
The Conservation manager reports to the Country Director, TNC South Africa, and will be based in Cape Town. They work internally with the Africa BU Freshwater and IPLC strategy teams and will supervise one staff that may grow to about 2- 3 staff.
WE’RE LOOKING FOR YOU
In this role you will
- Conceptualize and develop TNC SA’s protected expansion program by integrating terrestrial and freshwater landscapes in collaboration with government and NGO partners. You will provide. technical input and co-develop action plans in support of South Africa’s 30 x 30 conservation targets.
- Lead protected area expansion initiatives through different stages, conceptualization. development, fundraising and handing over to appropriate competent authority to manage. Build protected area management capacity in TNC SA’s priority landscapes and facilitate collaboration between state organisations, Non-Government Organisations, landowners and land users. Represent TNC SA on 30×30 technical working groups and other relevant stakeholder forums.
- Collaborate with NGOs and government on Protected Area and Freshwater protection.
- Negotiate with private landowners and communities.
- Facilitate stakeholder engagement and provide technical support to partners on Protected areas expansion.
- Be accountable for tracking progress, reporting to donors and stakeholders on progress and impact of integrated landscape initiatives – terrestrial and freshwater.
- Responsible for fostering a participatory approach by engaging primary stakeholder groups in implementation.
- Support local stakeholders and NGOs in priority freshwater and terrestrial landscapes with scoping incentive opportunities for communities.
WHAT YOU’LL BRING
- BA/BS degree and 7 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Proficient in the National Protected Area Management Act (NEMPA) to reach 30 x 30 goals.
- Experience managing complex or multiple projects including workloads and budgets under deadlines in the NGO sector.
- Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives, and managing performance.
- Experience collaborating and building relationships with government and NGO partners to meet shared objectives.
- Experience in biodiversity stewardship, protected area management plan development.
- Experience in fine scale conservation planning.
- Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
- Demonstrated fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects, donor cultivation and writing funding proposals
- Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
- Experience negotiating.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE
- Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- At least 10 years’ experience with protected area expansion and terrestrial and freshwater protection mechanisms.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and protected area expansion mechanisms/tools.
- Demonstrated experience influencing, developing, and implementing conservation policy and plans.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation in South Africa and beyond
- Experience in conservation planning and systems thinking.
- Ability to develop practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
- Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives or related field.
- Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
- Politically savvy.
WHAT WE BRING
Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff, we impact conservation throughout the world!
The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, Pension/ Gratuity plans including employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work wellbeing benefits. Learn more about our benefits at in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.
We’re proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellbeing, and flexibility needs of the people we employ!
APPLY NOW
To apply for job ID 53748, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.
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.
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 applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.
An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.
Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.
