Job ID: 53766
Location: Africa
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular
OFFICE LOCATION
South Africa
The selected candidate can be located where TNC has an established office in Kenya, Angola, Gabon, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia
WHO WE ARE
The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. 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. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube or on Glassdoor.
Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work.
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, governments, and the private sector across more than 22 million hectares on the continent. Our efforts are firmly rooted in people, leveraging scientific and technical expertise as we collaborate with key stakeholders to conserve and enhance Africa’s shared resources in the countries we operate. 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 stand to adversely impact the nearly 1.4 billion people that share Africa.
Across Africa, The Nature Conservancy is working collaboratively to build and support an ambitious biodiversity conservation and climate mitigation agenda. TNC works across freshwater, ocean, and terrestrial ecosystems to protect and sustainably manage critical habitats for species, ecosystems, and climate mitigation. TNC brings science and innovative tools and approaches to inform better decision-making, develops innovative financial mechanisms for long-term sustainability, cultivates strategic partnerships, and fosters the need for inclusive, equitable conservation that benefits nature and people.
WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER
The Wetlands Conservation Specialist will engage with and direct some or all aspects of science, protection, stewardship, and community relations for key wetland systems where TNC operates. The initial focus of this position will be on the transboundary Okavango basin with TNC’s Okavango program. He/she will serve as the principal contact on wetland and peatland conservation and science to government agencies, other conservation organizations, foundations, and the academic community for the Okavango Program. The Wetlands Conservation Specialist will establish TNC as a major conservation partner within the Okavango Basin, define conservation priorities and long-term strategies, build scientific and technical capacity, and develop key partnerships with public and private organizations to advance the long-term and sustainable conservation of wetland resources in the Okavango basin. While the initial focus is on the Okavango Basin with the Okavango program, the position may also contribute to other projects or programs within the freshwater strategy elsewhere in Africa.
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.
APPLY NOW
To apply for job ID 53766, 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.
