OFFICE LOCATION

Cape Town, South Africa

Location is open to Lusaka, Zambia; Arusha, Tanzania; or Nairobi, Kenya

A LITTLE ABOUT US

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 79 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.

The Nature Conservancy 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. We use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners.

YOUR POSITION WITH TNC

The Africa Indigenous Landscape (IL) Program Officer supports the Africa Region’s strategy to protect critical indigenous landscapes using community conservation solutions. The Program Officer advances projects led by both TNC and partners, tracks progress for a wide-ranging set of geographies in Africa under the Protect Indigenous Landscape strategy. They will advance the development of community livelihoods in all geographies and help teams strengthen innovative livelihood options. They will support implementation of the African Conservation Leadership Network – an initiative that supports local NGO conservation partners. The Program Officer will report to the Protect Indigenous Landscape Strategy Director. Preferred locations are Cape Town – South Africa, Lusaka – Zambia, Arusha – Tanzania or Nairobi – Kenya.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Program officer will support the Africa Indigenous Strategy director to ensure quality implementation of the four community conservation interventions. This includes

1. Empowering community institutions with strong land and resource tenure rights.
2. Strengthening leadership and governance capacity of communities and partner NGO institutions.
3. Building capacity of communities to grow and benefit from nature-based enterprises.
4. Facilitating strong multi stakeholder collaboration of partners in the five landscapes.

They will achieve this by building strong evidence of best practices of community conservation, sharing lessons and develop strong monitoring systems. They will coordinate and support a strong community of practice among TNC staff and teams working on indigenous and local community interventions. They will be responsible for developing and testing strong models of nature-based enterprises for the community projects. They will develop innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools and frameworks to engage local communities and support local conservation efforts.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE

• The geographic scope includes five landscapes in the Protect Africa Indigenous Landscape program: Kafue Zambia, Northern Kenya, Northern Tanzania, Western Tanzania and Okavango Angola.
• Oversee project management and contract tracking system for the strategy.
• Make recommendations for strategic decisions when needed, based on analysis, experience, and judgment.
• Writing and reviewing documents review for a range of materials to support strategy implementation.
• Coordinate contract management.
• Use TNC’s Highly Effective Teams approach to effectively manage key projects to support the strategy.
• Act independently and in supervisor’s stead, as needed; exercise independent judgment to identify and solve problems.
• Coordinate the work of cross-functional, cross-geographic teams towards a desired outcome.
• Ensure programmatic commitments, Conservancy policies and procedures, financial standards, and legal requirements are met and managed for compliance; decisions may bind the organization financially or legally.
• Support management of project budgets and assist with budget development related to strategic projects. and ensure that public and private funds are raised to meet program needs
• Coordinate multiple complex projects, including coordinating project teams, setting deadlines, and ensuring accountability.
• May manage or participate in complex negotiations.
• Travel occasionally, working long and flexible hours as needed.
• May be responsible for leading or co-leading a whole system program.
• Builds cooperation from outside parties to accomplish program goals.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS degree and 5 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in natural resource management, community and livelihoods development, resource economics and business development.
• 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.
• Experience handling confidential information with sensitivity.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• 5-7 years’ experience in conservation practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans.
• 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.
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising.
• Politically savvy.