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.”

Together with our partners, we are witnessing critical milestones in integrated land and fisheries management, ocean and source water protection, energy development, and sustainable food production working together and strengthening our resolve in tackling global challenges such as climate change, habitat and biodiversity loss that stands to adversely impact the nearly 1.4 billion people that share Africa.

The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) Africa Oceans Strategy focuses on securing large scale ocean protection by supporting effective marine spatial planning and community-based conservation approaches. Our work seeks to establish sustainable financing (e.g. through Blue Bonds – debt conversion-based instruments) to enable conservation outcomes at Large Marine Ecosystem scale, by supporting policy and regulatory frameworks, as well as local capacity, with emphasis on linking science and communities to habitat protection and management. TNC’s work on marine fisheries aims to safeguard productive marine fisheries for ecosystem health and as important foundations of food and livelihood security. TNC has established partnerships with several non-government and government agencies to support fisheries and coastal community-based conservation throughout Africa.

WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER
The Africa Oceans Strategy Director leads design, development, and implementation of ocean protection across TNC’s Africa Region. The strategic focus is on securing ocean protection at scale, including through marine spatial planning and improved fisheries management, supported by strong science, technical capacity, and sustainable financing. Current geographic focus is on Seychelles, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Gabon, Namibia, Angola and Mauritius.

The ideal candidate will have experience in conservation, policy and sustainable development programs for oceans and coasts. The candidate will have experience facilitating and leading multiple objective planning processes and working across complex matrixed organizations in the Region. The Africa Oceans Strategy Director will serve as a key liaison and informational contact between the Africa Region, the Global Oceans Team and other TNC staff, and develops relationships with government agencies, local and international NGOs and other groups as needed to advance our ocean protection goals.

This position will report to the Africa Conservation Director and work closely with TNC’s Global Oceans Team and Africa Fisheries Team. The Africa Oceans Strategy Director will require strong leadership skills to manage several direct reports and spend significant time building and managing the Africa oceans team in existing and new geographies. This position may involve about 25-35% domestic and international travel and can be based in any of countries in Africa where TNC has an office.

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.

Roles and Responsibilities

Lead the development and implementation of the Africa Oceans Strategy in contribution to TNC’s 2030 targets and Oceans goals.
Ensure the effective coordination and integration of oceans work for all projects and programs across the Africa Business unit.
Lead the Africa Oceans team and work collaboratively with the Global Oceans Team to deliver the Africa Oceans strategy
Advance national level planning efforts that increase ocean conservation outcomes, including climate mitigation and resilience plans and marine spatial plans.
Guide reforms for marine fisheries and building local capacity for sustainable and legal fisheries management while supporting policies at national, regional, and local levels to enable marine fishery reform.
Oversee efforts to create and advance community-based strategies for better managed coastal and marine areas.
Facilitate and manage collaborations with government, intergovernmental institutions, development partners, CSOs, private sector and communities
Assess topics related to Africa Ocean conservation and advise TNC communications, marketing and philanthropy staff on issues related to oceans work in Africa and help ensure that TNC’s internal and external communications accurately reflect the strategy and conservation goals.
Coordinate research and analysis to support development and implementation of oceans projects and strategies.
Represent TNC’s Africa Oceans Strategy at relevant international and regional conferences and meetings, delivering technical presentations and expert input as needed.
Support fundraising by developing and contributing to proposals and representing the Africa Ocean Program to public and private donors and seeks to integrate sustainable financing mechanisms into the ocean’s programs.
Lead the Africa Ocean Strategy budget development and ensure on time on budget project implementation.
Assist in developing reports, presentations, and assessments on related topics, as well as internal and external communications materials that reflect the program’s objectives and priorities.
Requires willingness and ability to travel up to 35% both domestically and internationally, and to work occasional weekends and evenings.
WHAT YOU’LL BRING
BA/BS degree in a relevant conservation field and 10 years’ experience in marine conservation and management, ocean governance or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience with ocean sector stakeholders and associated management and governance frameworks across Africa.
Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation.
Experience directing a major program or project portfolio of strategic importance, including management/supervision of multi-disciplinary teams.
Experience working with current international and regional trends and practices in relevant areas of marine and coastal conservation.
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 in using a strong sense of diplomacy and experience negotiating
Experience influencing, developing, and implementing conservation policy and plans at local and country level.
International work experience.
Experience presenting to and/or communicating with government or legislative staff, community or business leaders, program leadership and/or similar audiences.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s degree in Conservation Science or related field with over 10 years of experience in a relevant field of marine conservation or ocean affairs, with working knowledge of marine spatial planning practices, ocean governance frameworks, marine industrial and small-scale fisheries, multi-lateral ocean sustainable development and blue economy initiatives or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Fluency in language other than English, especially as relevant to areas where we work, and experience living and working in Africa,
Knowledge of politics and society, especially in the African context, with respect to oceans, blue economy and international marine affairs.
Strong team player who can build relationships and work collaboratively across the organization, including with senior management, and with Conservancy partners.
Effective public speaker that will represent TNC and the Africa Oceans Strategy internationally at conferences and high-level meetings, including giving presentations and leading technical sessions as relevant.
Developing practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives and experience conceiving and implementing strategic initiatives.
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, parental leave, paid time off, 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.