Description
The Ocean Innovation Project Advisor assists in the development and implementation of a key strategy to drive collaboration amount partners to identify and test and adopt new technologies to address key conservation challenges and support progress towards TNC 2030 goals.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Ocean Innovation Project Advisor supports Global Oceans and regional leadership by managing the Ocean Innovation Challenge to:
- Identify conservation challenges to tackle with new technology and assess key enabling conditions that support successful development of solutions for improved ocean health.
- Drive collaboration among stakeholders, governments, communities, and identified startups to test and adopt solutions.
- Launch and operate a network of purpose-designed pilots to validate technology-led solution pathways that ensure tangible impact and return to conservation.
- Build a portfolio of solutions to be integrated across TNC and partner sites.
- Advance widespread adoption and scaling of suitable technologies to achieve TNC 2030 goals.
They serve as a key liaison and informational contact between the global strategy team and other TNC staff, as well as external partners. They advise TNC communications, marketing and philanthropy staff on issues related to the Ocean Innovation Challenge or other priority projects to ensure that TNC’s internal and external communications accurately reflect the strategy and conservation goals.
RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE
Lead the overall design and strategy execution to deliver the workplan and successfully launch the new Global Ocean Innovation Challenge between The Nature Conservancy and key partners (including the Ocean Tech Accelerator, Ocean Exploration, local NGOs and government).
Activities include:
1. Project Planning & Management
- Establish project workplans, deliverables, project management structure, clear roles and expectations of TNC (global and field teams) and partners, schedule for donor reporting, metrics, and outcomes.
- Clarify plan and roles needed to articulate and collect relevant project and internal reporting metrics (e.g., conservation metrics, site requirements, donor requirements) and oversee reporting.
- Lead development and management of budget, spend-plan, and identification of fundraising needs to complete project based on agreed roles and activities.
- Oversee execution of project, monitoring and evaluation of program deliverables to ensure outcomes are met and ensuring it is delivered on time and within budget, ensuring that stakeholders are kept informed as appropriate.
2. Stakeholder Engagement & Coordination
- Serve as the main point of contact for the project among internal and external project partners.
- Serve as liaison and core node between TNC’s field teams and project technology partners.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key project partners, including project team, investors, industry partners, and government agencies.
- Support in engaging potential new donors to support the Ocean Innovation Partnership and stewardship of existing donors to the partnership.
- Lead effective coordination and engagement with TNC field staff (initial pilot in Indonesia) and project partners to ensure alignment with organizational goals, support field team to secure project staff in region to support project delivery.
3. Program & Event Execution
- Support design and execution of key events (e.g., Global Ocean Innovation Challenge workshops) in close coordination with project partners and TNC staff.
- Working closely with TNC field staff and project partners, ensure pilot projects with technology startup companies are applicable in and relevant to local context.
4. Technical & Strategic Guidance
- Identify and clearly articulate problem sets the Ocean Innovation Partnership intends to solve.
- Provide conservation guidance and advice to technology partners.
- Communicate business and technology considerations to TNC’s conservation programs and partners.
- Support identification and alignment of pathways to scale pilot to replicate in other regions.
5. Reporting & Communications
- Working closely with development team members, lead development and completion of donor reports, donor stewardship, and develop project communications.
6. Scaling & Learning
- Develop a strategy for scale and sustainable growth of successful pilots.
- Capture learnings from all pilots.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, international relations, international development, social science, natural science, ecology or related field and at least 5 years related experience, or equivalent combination.
- Experience in research, critical analysis, evaluating information from divergent sources and compiling it into cohesive reports.
- Experience in managing projects with global stakeholders with diverse skills and expertise, with a proven ability to bridge these.
- Experience writing and editing promotional and informational material.
- Experience presenting to and/or communicating with government or legislative staff, community and business leaders, program leadership and similar audiences.
- Experience with time management.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Professional Experience & Expertise
- 5+ years of experience in the startup ecosystem and venture or growth capital, ideally in blue tech.
- Proven track record working with acceleration of early-stage companies or experience from an exited venture, with a passion for accelerating others.
- Experience in fundraising or business development.
- Experience designing programs or managing projects of significant size ($5M+ operating budget).
- Experience operating under the governance structures typically required in a US 501(c)(3).
Domain Knowledge
- Marine expertise (e.g., fisheries, aquaculture, marine habitat protection, or marine restoration), particularly in the South-East Asian region.
- Understanding of the motivations, considerations, and product development approaches in South East Asian and American contexts.
- Passion for oceans and technology.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong program management, project management, and business development skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
- Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders and across key project partners.
- Ability and experience inspiring and mobilizing partners toward achievement of a shared goal.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a remote, global team.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet time-sensitive deadlines.
- Ability to work well in a highly matrixed, decentralized, and collaborative organization.
- Possesses strong interpersonal skills and political savvy; must be a team player.
Cultural & Language Proficiency
- International experience and working in a multicultural environment.
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- Ability to write and conduct business with field teams requires competence in Bahasa Indonesia.
Education
Master’s degree.
Salary Information:
Job Family: Conservation
Internal Job Code: 200069
Salary Grade: 8
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. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”
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 a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.
We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.
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.
The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy’s background screening process.
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 applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.
