A LITTLE ABOUT US
Founded in 1951, the Nature
Conservancy (TNC) 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 72 countries, including all 50 United
States, 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.
TNC
Africa program follows a holistic approach to protect vital lands and
waters, transform the way natural resources are used and managed and
inspire to equip others to contribute to the shared vision of a healthy
and sustainable future for Africa’s lands, waters, wildlife and people.
Our vision for Africa is rooted in its people – and our conservation
approach focuses on working with local communities, governments, and
organizations to conserve and enhance Africa’s shared resources. TNC
currently has offices in seven countries in Africa (Kenya, Tanzania,
Gabon, Botswana, Zambia, South Africa, and Seychelles), and are involved
in activities in numerous other countries with partner organizations.
TNC
has shown that Natural Climate Solutions (NCS)- sustainably managing,
restoring, and protecting forests, grasslands, and freshwater systems –
has the potential to provide a third of the solution to reducing
greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. By implementing NCS strategies, the
world can cost-effectively mitigate up to 11 billion metric tons of
greenhouse gas (CO2e) emissions per year. NCS can also provide a range
of other benefits, such as protecting biodiversity, improving watershed
function, increasing resilience, and supporting sustainable livelihoods.
In Africa, TNC is already implementing and exploring NCS actions across
the continent, including mangrove protection and restoration at the
Kenyan coast, climate -smart forestry / Reduced Impact Logging for
Climate (RIL-C) in the Congo Basin , reforestation and agroforestry in
Kenya and Tanzania, regenerative agriculture and grassland protection in
Kenya and Tanzania , peatland and forest protection in Angola as well
as several avoided forest conversion projects (REDD+) in the continent.
These projects hold key the to TNC’s global climate response. In
addition to NCS actions, TNC as a global organization is actively
engaged in climate policy and the UNFCCC climate negotiations
YOUR POSITION WITH TNC
The
Africa Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) Director (NCS) provides
strategic leadership and coordination of climate policy and field
execution teams for all aspects of the TNC’s climate mitigation and
adaption work in Africa. The role will deliver the development and
implementation of a NCS strategy for Africa that aligns with TNC global
2030 goals and global NCS strategy, and provide oversight for the
delivery, monitoring and reporting of all TNC Africa NCS work, and lead
fund raising efforts. Building upon the TNC’s foundational NCS science,
they will lead a team of colleagues and support TNC Africa and partners
around the region to deploy and scale natural climate solutions to
mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. They will further the work of The
Nature Conservancy and its conservation partners through direct
interaction with governments, multilateral agencies, and businesses
focusing on policy, practice, and funding initiatives that provide
climate mitigation opportunities in line with TNC’s 2030 goals. They
identifies climate mitigation policy and funding opportunities,
evaluates the potential for strategic partnerships, and develops and
implements strategies to influence corporate practice, public policy,
and public funding for climate mitigation at a large scale, national
and/or global level. They will work closely with the Africa Forest
Carbon Catalyst Director, Africa Carbon Market Director and other Africa
Strategy Directors for Indigenous Land Protection, Ocean Protection and
Freshwater Protection. They will also collaborate with TNC’s Global
Director on NCS, as well as the International Climate Policy team and
the Global Carbon Markets team to ensure coordination and alignment and
to elevate lessons learned from Africa into global fora. They will
represent TNC Africa with donors and partners to raise the profile of
NCS as a powerful climate solution. The NCS Director will report to the
Africa Conservation Director and work closely with the Africa strategy
leads and with the Global climate solution teams. This position will
ideally be based at TNC Regional office in Nairobi, Kenya, but other
locations may be considered.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The
Africa NCS Director will lead the development and execution of TNC’s NCS
strategy in Africa, including a robust and scientifically sound theory
of change to accelerate and scale the deployment of NCS to help realize
TNC Africa’s 2030 climate mitigation and ecosystem conservation goals.
They will provide thought leadership and guidance on policy,
prioritizations and scaling of NCS pathways in Africa including avoided
deforestation, improved forest management, reforestation, regenerative
agriculture, improved rangeland management and blue carbon, and
identifying policy, finance, and science opportunities to scale and
accelerate the deployment of NCS pathways. They will liaise with
counterparts within the organization including TNC’s global strategy
teams, Science and Field Conservation staff, External Affairs
departments and TNC’s Operating Units to provide and extract useful
lessons and experience and to coordinate on joint policy/practice
approaches. They will partner with the Africa Indigenous Landscapes
Director and team to build an equitable, inclusive, positive,
collaborative, integrated, and disciplined approach to achieve NCS
program impact at a scale and pace that matter and to ensure that the
Africa NCS work and environmental impacts contribute positively to
climate justice and equitable conservation.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Provide strategic leadership for all aspects of TNC Africa’s climate mitigation and adaptation work.
- Design
and implement TNC Africa NCS Strategy including a robust and
scientifically sound theory of change, to accelerate and scale the
deployment of NCS. - Build and manage a regional NCS team to
provide high-level support and coordination for the TNC’s NCS work
through science and other policy and finance levers. Build and manage a
team that supports the deployment of NCS programs and approaches around
the region and engage in levers of scale for NCS – including forest and
restoration economies, and other financial, market and policy
incentives. - Design, fundraise for, coordinate, collaborate,
implement, support and/or direct complex and diverse projects,
encompassing multiple programs and coordinating the work of other
professionals, inside and outside the organization. Incorporate
cross-disciplinary knowledge to support program objectives. - Prepares
and presents project proposals and negotiates with governmental,
bilateral, and multilateral agencies and/or the business and corporate
sector, to achieve program goals. - Develops and implements, in
conjunction with Africa region colleagues, a policy engagement strategy
for each country program around UNFCCC and climate policy. Engage
closely with TNC Africa’s philanthropy team to engage partners and
donors in fundraising discussions to support our NCS work in Africa.
Articulate a vision with colleagues, peers, donors, and partners
resulting in dedication to Natural Climate Solutions work. - Maintain and build on TNC’s role as a major conservation partner within the Region’s NCS community
- Serve
as the principal NCS contact and coordinate closely with External
Affairs and our Regional teams, in establishing productive
collaborations with governments, other conservation organizations, and
foundations. - Collaborate with platforms such as Nature4Climate
to build regional awareness and momentum for NCS implementation and
develop, service, and maintain a strong network of global colleagues in
regions where NCS projects are deployed. - Build and manage a team
that supports the deployment of NCS programs and approaches around the
region and engage in levers of scale for NCS – including carbon markets,
forest and restoration economies, and other financial, market and
policy incentives. - Develop and maintain strong collaborative
relationships with regional and global priority teams, Communications
and External Affairs to maximize contributions to the Conservancy’s 2030
goals. - Build capacity internally and externally for NCS
implementation, including strategies for understanding and addressing
barriers, and support the build out of extensive outreach and training
opportunities. - May require frequent travel domestically and/or internationally and evening and weekend hours
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- BA/BS degree and 10 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Knowledge
of climate and natural based solutions policies (UNFCCC, REDD+, NDCs,
NAPAs) and international initiatives (AFR100, Bonn Challenge,
Nature4Climate.) and substantial networks and experience in the UNFCCC
process. - Extensive understanding of the science and experience of implementing climate change and natural climate solutions.
- Experience
designing, implementing, and directing complex or multiple projects of
strategic importance, including managing finances, supervising
multidisciplinary professionals from diverse backgrounds and
coordinating the work of partners while meeting deadlines. - Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation.
- Experience working with current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and geographic regions.
- Experience of leading high-performance teams including ,motivating, supervising, 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
- Multi- lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- Master’s degree and 10-12 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience developing practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
- Knowledge of non-carbon markets-based financing mechanisms such as green supply chains product certification
- 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.
APPLY NOW
To apply for job ID 50988, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact [email protected].
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.
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 [email protected] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.
