Job ID: 54217
Location: Brussels
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular
OFFICE LOCATION
Brussels, Belgium
WHO WE ARE
Founded in 1951, the Nature Conservancy 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 close to 80 countries 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 leverages science, policy, finance and proven field experience to drive globally relevant strategies in Europe and from Europe for large-scale and lasting conservation impact. Our conservation work in Europe is aimed at protecting biodiversity, improving freshwater management, and securing sustainable energy while addressing the impacts of climate change to benefit both people and nature.
Our conservation work in Europe focuses on putting 40,000 km of freshwater ecosystems under protection and improved management, including 10,000 km of rivers in protection in the Western Balkans, and avoiding impact on 2,000 km of at risk freshwater areas from hydropower developments. We aim to help 300,000 people across Europe adapt to a changing climate and benefiting economically from conservation. And we work to avoid or sequester 3 MT of carbon dioxide emissions annually through renewable energy siting, science and policy. Our largest conservation programs focus on protecting and restoring rivers in the Western Balkans region and accelerating renewable energy siting across Europe, with smaller programs focused on water security in the UK and an urban greening program in cities in Germany .
WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER
The Director of Conservation Programs oversees all aspects of TNC Europe’s Conservation Program, reporting to the Europe Regional Managing Director. The role encompasses three primary functions – development, implementation and fundraising for our conservation outcomes in Europe; leadership and management of a large and diverse team; and Executive Leadership Team (ELT) Europe responsibilities. This is achieved through building strategic and technical capacity in the field, developing partnerships with public and private organizations key to our strategies, communicating about our work and fundraising for our programs.
The Europe Conservation Program Director will manage the Europe conservation portfolio which consists of the SE Europe program, Europe freshwater, renewable energy and urban greening. The Conservation Program Director will facilitate quarterly reviews with project and strategy teams to ensure we are delivering milestones according to schedule and budget. The Conservation Director will also be responsible for coordination between our regional and global strategy leads.
WE’RE LOOKING FOR YOU
To deliver on the three major focus areas above, the Director of Conservation Programs serves as the principle and strategic contact to significant stakeholders including partner organisations, government agencies, other conservation organisations, and TNC regional and global conservation team members. In addition, the role plays a leading role in donor identification, cultivation, and stewardship for the European conservation program.
As a leader in TNC Europe, the role builds and leads the team in line with TNC practices, policies and procedures with a style that engenders trust and provides the conditions for team members to thrive. As a member of the ELT, the role positively contributes and collaborates with other ELT members in line with the purpose and principles outlined below.
Delivery of the TNC Europe’s conservation plan is a critical outcome of this role, and in line with our Performance philosophy, ‘what’ we do is as important as ‘how’ we do it. The measures of success include – productive professional relationships; confident positioning of TNC Europe in the areas of strategic intent; successful leadership and management of team members responsible for implementation of initiatives; astute financial management, risk assessment and due diligence and effective functioning as a core member of the Executive Leadership Team in Europe.
WHAT YOU’LL BRING
RESPONSIBILITES AND SCOPE
- Leads the design, delivery, and implementation of conservation efforts to meet the TNC Europe conservation program.
- Leads and manages a large and diverse multi-disciplinary team across Europe.
- Designs, implements, and directs complex and diverse projects, encompassing multiple programs and coordinating the work of other professionals, inside and outside the organization. Incorporates cross-disciplinary knowledge to support program objectives.
- Assesses and manages risks including conducting due diligence, developing, and managing budgets and conducting business in line with TNC ethical and compliance requirements.
- Participates in the formulation and evaluation of broad policies and/or long-term programs, or making decisions, which typically have broad organizational impact.
- Makes independent strategic decisions frequently based on analysis, ambiguous information, experience, and context.
- Contributes to an effective ELT in Europe through committing to the ELT agreed purpose of leadership and critical decision-making in pursuit of program goals, and creating an environment for the TNC Europe Team to thrive and achieve impact. This is achieved in line with the ELT principles of – empowering our teams; working together to solve challenges; standing by the decisions we make as a group and changing course when needed; working to achieve the best collaboratively; being brave about issues we need to work on; using genuine listening and curiosity as a problem-solving framework; practicing positive action and authentic leadership; building honesty and trust with colleagues.
- Effectively manages core strategic and operational relationships across multiple areas, including fundraising.
- Requires frequent travel and evening and weekend hours.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- BA/BS degree and 12 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation.
- Experience designing, implementing, and directing complex or multiple projects of strategic importance, including managing finances, supervising multidisciplinary professionals, and coordinating the work of partners while meeting deadlines.
- Experience working with current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and geographic regions.
- 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 networking with high level conservation contacts.
- Experience working with methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives.
- Experience conceiving and implementing strategic and creative initiatives.
- Experience negotiating.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience at an Executive level in a global matrixed organization.
- Multi- lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated. Experience from the Western Balkans Region is a plus.
- Master’s degree and 12-15 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in freshwater conservation and energy issues desired.
- Experience developing practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
- Knowledge of politics and society with respect to environmental affairs.
- Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
- Politically savvy.
WHAT WE BRING
Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into 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 and partners, we impact conservation around the world!
TNC offers competitive and comprehensive benefits packages tailored to the individual countries where we work. These may include health care benefits, retirement benefits, life insurance, and disability coverage as well as an employee assistance program and other life and well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.
We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports the health and well-being of the people we employ.
APPLY NOW
To apply for job ID 54217, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by 07.11.2023 11:59 PM EST on DATE. 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 or other status protected by law.
The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy’s background screening process.
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.
