Description
What We Can Achieve Together:
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Smithsonian Institution (SI) have launched an innovative partnership to advance sustainability research and shape a more resilient future through a cohort of jointly mentored postdoctoral scholars. Both organizations have a rich history of leveraging science, technology, and community engagement to advance solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges affecting people and nature. Building on a longstanding history of collaboration, TNC and SI are once again joining forces to drive cutting-edge research and innovation for a resilient and prosperous planet. This initiative will support cohorts of emerging scientific leaders, empowering them to work hand-in-hand with stakeholders to co-create evidence-based solutions that strengthen resilience. Each institution will host up to three Postdoctoral Fellows. While Fellows will be embedded in research and professional development activities across both organizations, they will be housed and receive HR support through their hiring institution.
This advertisement is for a postdoctoral fellowship based at The Nature Conservancy. The Postdoctoral Fellow will be co-mentored by a team of scientists from both TNC and SI, including at least one mentor from each organization. The fellow will play a key role in strengthening collaboration between the institutions by contributing to joint research agendas, shared work plans, and coordinated communication and advocacy.
The Postdoctoral Fellow will join a collaborative project evaluating the human and livestock health impacts of The Nature Conservancy’s Water Funds program, which focuses on upstream ecosystem restoration and food system management to enhance water quality and supply for urban centers in Africa. Specifically, the fellow will seek to understand the health priorities of diverse actors in watersheds, and identify entry points for financing watershed restoration for health-related benefits. Using a combination of primary data collection, literature reviews, key informant interviews and thematic analysis, they will address the following questions: 1. What are the human and livestock health priorities – in terms of risks, opportunities and economic impacts – of different stakeholders who live and work in Water Fund project areas in Kenya? 2. What is the perceived impact of nature-based water solutions on these health priorities? 3. From the human and animal health sectors perspectives, what is the business case for investing in nature-based water solutions? Alternatively, how would the public sector benefit, and how could private investors profit from investing in watershed restoration? Working hand-in-hand with a partner fellow based at Smithsonian Institute, this evidence will be used to develop a health impact measurement framework that enables Water Fund projects to better account for their health impacts in Africa and further afield, thereby diversifying finance for conservation and attracting public and private health sector interest. The toolbox will be applied to the Jumuiya Water Fund in Kenya as a proof-of-concept and – if possible – extended to the Tanga Water Fund which is at a similar stage. They also contribute to TNC/SI partnership- and cohort-building and provide project updates regularly to program funders.
This is a 3-year term-limited position, expected to start on or before October 1, 2025. The location for this position is Nairobi, Kenya. This role is hybrid and the successful candidate will report a minimum of 2 days a week to the Nairobi TNC office, except when traveling for the position. The successful candidate will have authorization to work within Kenya. Immigration assistance is not available.
This prestigious fellowship comes with additional opportunities funded through the joint partnership with SI. During the three-year term, all members of the cohort will receive advanced, in-person communications training and additional professional development opportunities. TNC fellows will have access to a limited budget for travel, research, conference and publishing funds in addition to their annual salary.
Responsibilities and Scope
- Design experiments and collect data to identify the key human and livestock health priorities of relevant stakeholders –i.e., upland and downstream communities, water authorities, public health authorities, and the private-sector actors (e.g., insurers, employers) – including understanding the economic costs of environmentally mediated disease burdens amongst these stakeholders.
- Conduct a thematic analysis and evidence review to identify how health co-benefits can be used to engage public and private finance in watershed restoration. This includes mapping stakeholder-identified data needs, reviewing relevant financing and governance mechanisms, and conducting key informant interviews to understand opportunities to internalize health co-benefits through financing mechanisms or water governance changes.
- Collaborate with other team members to develop a health impact measurement framework – consisting of metrics and KPIs – that can consistently and reliably measure changes in priority health outcomes that are attributable to Water Fund interventions.
- Engage stakeholders to ensure that the proposed metrics are contextually relevant, feasible for implementation, and aligned with monitoring and evaluation needs.
- Manage and analyze data and write up findings for peer-reviewed publications.
- Deliver tools, data, analytical support, field services and training to staff and partners.
- Report regularly to a project advisory committee.
- Manage the logistics, administrative and financial aspects of their component (work package) of the research project.
- Undertake internal partnerships and collaborations to support above functions and responsibilities.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, in hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances
We’re Looking for You:
Are you looking for a career to help people and nature? Guided by science, TNC creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together. We’re looking for someone who is passionate, motivated problem-solver. Come join TNC and apply today!
What You’ll Bring:
- Ph.D. in a natural or social science discipline relevant to conservation science, awarded by start of the position (and no longer than 4 years prior) and at least 1 to 2 years of related experience.
- Experience and interest in environmental, health or development economics.
- Experience reviewing and synthesizing relevant scientific literature.
- Experience collecting, manipulating, analyzing and interpreting scientific data.
- Experience preparing reports of findings for peer-reviewed publications.
- Experience with grant writing or other fundraising efforts.
- Strong writing and communication skills in English.
- Record of peer reviewed publications.
Desired Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in quantitative environmental, health or development economics with strong data estimation skills, ideally in health benefits estimation (animal or human).
- Team player with experience in inter- and trans-disciplinary collaborative research that is also organized, self-motivated and independent.
- Willing to learn about financing mechanisms, interdisciplinary approaches and novel methodologies.
- At least two-year’s worth of experience with survey design, sample selection, field work, collection of data and advanced statistical analysis.
- Experience working collaboratively across and communicating with multiple stakeholders, including non-scientists.
- Ability to organize work effectively, conceptualize and prioritize objectives and exercise independent judgment based on an understanding of organizational policies and activities.
- Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated with good interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills
- Willingness to travel substantially within and between Kenya and Tanzania
Salary Information:
A competitive 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. The salary range for this role is 3,531,100 – 4,201,890 KES. Actual pay will fall within the range and be based on a variety of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, specific skills and experience.
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.
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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.
