Climate Director Africa At The Nature Conservancy

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 pioneered the science which shows the value and role of nature in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Natural Climate Solutions – protecting, sustainably managing, restoring, forests, grasslands, and freshwater systems – have the potential to provide a third of the solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. By implementing NCS, the world can cost-effectively mitigate up to 11 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas (CO2e) emissions per year. These solutions can also provide a range of other benefits, such as protecting biodiversity, improving watershed functions, increasing resilience, and supporting sustainable livelihoods. In Africa, TNC has established a very successful accelerator for developing carbon projects, called the Africa Forest Carbon Catalyst. TNC is also implementing and exploring NCS actions across the continent, including mangrove protection and restoration at the Kenyan coast, climate -smart forestry through 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 the key to TNC’s global climate response. TNC as a global organization is also actively engaged in international climate policy and the UNFCCC climate negotiations.

YOUR POSITION WITH TNC

The Africa Climate Director provides strategic leadership and coordination of climate policy and field execution teams for all aspects of TNC’s climate mitigation and adaption work in Africa (NBS). The role will deliver the development and implementation of a climate strategy for Africa that aligns with TNC global 2030 goals and global Tackle Climate Change strategy, and provide oversight for the delivery, monitoring and reporting of all TNC Africa adaptation and mitigation work, and lead fund raising efforts to fully implement this critical work. Building upon TNC’s foundational climate science, they will lead a team of colleagues and support TNC Africa and partners around the region to deploy and scale nature based solutions to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change. They will further the work of TNC and its conservation partners through collaborative initiatives with governments, multilateral agencies, and businesses focusing on policy, practice, and funding initiatives. They will supervise a team that currently consists of 4 staff and work closely with Africa Strategy Directors for Indigenous Land Protection, Ocean Protection and Freshwater Protection. They will also collaborate with TNC’s Global Tackle Climate Change team, 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. The Climate Director will report to the Africa Conservation Director. This position can be based at the TNC Regional office in Nairobi, Kenya, or TNC offices in Tanzania or Gabon.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Africa Climate Director will lead the development and execution of TNC’s Africa climate strategy, including a robust and scientifically sound theory of change to accelerate and scale the deployment of NBS to help realize TNC Africa’s 2030 climate mitigation and ecosystem conservation goals, as well as TNC Africa’s adaptation work. They will provide thought leadership and guidance on policy, prioritizations and scaling of NBS 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 these 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 climate impact at a scale and pace that matter and to ensure that the Africa climate work and environmental impacts contribute positively to climate justice and equitable conservation.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• 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 all genders with diverse backgrounds, beliefs and cultures.
• 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 orientations, gender identities, military or veteran status or other status protected by law.
• Provide strategic leadership for all aspects of TNC Africa’s climate work.Design and implement TNC Africa Climate Strategy including a robust and scientifically sound theory of change, to accelerate and scale the deployment of NBS.
• Build and manage a regional climate team to provide high-level support and coordination for climate work through science and other policy and finance mechanisms – 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 the Africa policy and government relations team, 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 NBS work in Africa. Articulate a vision with colleagues, peers, donors, and partners resulting in dedication to NBS work.
• Maintain and build on TNC’s role as a major conservation partner within the Region’s NBS community Serve as the principal climate contact and coordinate closely with TNC’s External Affairs and other 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 NBS implementation and develop, service, and maintain a strong network of global colleagues in regions where NBS projects are deployed.
• Build capacity internally and externally for NBS 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 nature-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 of and experience in implementing climate change mitigation projects, natural climate solutions, and nature-based solutions in general.
• 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 climate science, nature-based solutions, and how these touch down in Africa.
• Experience in 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

• Fluency in French is an added benefit.
• 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 French.
• Politically savvy.