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.”
Since establishing the Africa Program in 2007, The Nature Conservancy’s vision in Africa is to work towards fostering a sustainable future for people and nature, partnering with indigenous communities across 55 million acres on the continent. Our efforts are firmly rooted in people, leveraging scientific and technical expertise as we collaborate with governments and organizations to conserve and enhance Africa’s shared resources in the 9 countries we operate.
TNC’s work in Africa transcends three key pillars: securing ownership rights to lands and oceans for indigenous people, strengthening leadership and resource management and helping communities value nature through a holistic appreciation of its benefits while increasing revenue streams for conservation efforts and socio-economic development. 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.
TNC’s Africa Oceans Strategy focuses on securing large-scale ocean protection by supporting effective marine spatial planning, sustainable fisheries, and community-led conservation approaches. Our work seeks to establish sustainable financing 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, restoration, and management. TNC envisions sustainable fisheries that are managed in a way that results in viable local fisheries, stable supplies of seafood, thriving coastal communities, biodiversity conservation, and healthy marine and coastal ecosystems.
What We Can Achieve Together:
The Project Manager Western Indian Ocean (WIO) will be responsible for day-to-day management and implementation of the WIO Blue Economy project work plan, including direct supervision of several TNC project staff. The Project Manager WIO shall also maintain administrative and budgetary oversight for all project-related activities. The role requires strong working knowledge of Marine Spatial Planning processes, as well as community-based and industrial fisheries practices in the region. The Project Manager WIO will direct TNC work-streams related to MSP in Kenya, Tanzania and possibly Mauritius, and fisheries management initiatives in Kenya and the Seychelles. The country-specific MSP and related activities are to be implemented in cooperation with relevant government agencies and programmes and potentially embedded within government led initiatives (e.g. the KEMFSED World Bank project in Kenya), where coordination with local agencies will be essential in order to achieve common goals.
This program of work is funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Government, and therefore the maintenance of communications and reporting with the funding body will be a necessary part of the role (in collaboration with the Program Lead WIO and Africa Ocean Strategy Director). The 5-year German government funded project is the focus of this new role, which will be a 2- year contract position with possibility of renewal, depending on funding arrangements. This position will report to the Program Lead – WIO and work closely with TNC’s Africa Fisheries Team and Global Oceans Team. The position will be based at TNC’s office in Mombasa, Kenya or Tanzania and may involve significant domestic and international travel. No employment visas or assistance is being offered with this position except for the local labor employment requirements
We Are Looking For You:
Are you looking to further your career in support of nature and people? Guided by science, TNC creates innovative and durable solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together.
We’re looking for someone who is passionate, creative and a problem-solver. By joining our regional Africa team, you will become part of a group that is a force to be reckoned with: a force for nature, a force for people, and a force for our planet. Our team consists of a dedicated group who are leading the conservation effort on multiple fronts and who expertly bring strategy and action together. Join us!
Roles & responsibilities
- Coordinate TNC work-streams related to MSP in Kenya, Tanzania and possibly Mauritius, and fisheries management initiatives in Kenya and Seychelles to advance MSP and fisheries management.
- Facilitate integration and representation of local community and stakeholder interests across all related TNC activities in the region.
- Work closely with the project implementation team to provide oversight of project deliverables – FishPath, Tuna Fisheries, Marine Spatial Planning, Mangrove’s habitat restoration.
- Establish and maintain optimal performance standards for project implementation.
- Monitor and review the implementation of the MSP project following the workplan.
- Supervises staff based within Mombasa and Dar es Salaam office as well as at remote locations.
- Ensure timely compilation of all donor related reports from within Kenya, Tanzania, and Seychelles.
- Maintain project records including minutes and workshop reports.
- Maintain database of all project activities.
- Prepare contract documents for the project and follow through on its execution and implementation.
- Organize and follow up timely implementation of the workplan, budgeting and execution of project activities.
- Oversee preparation, planning and managing of workshops and seminars.
- Responsible for knowledge management, monitoring and evaluation and reporting of project staff
- May involve working in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
What You Will Bring:
- BA/BS degree and 5 years’ experience in marine conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including staffing, workloads and finances under tight 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 complex agreements.
- Supervisory experience.
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in marine spatial planning and ocean conservation.
- Experience manipulating, analyzing, and interpreting data on fisheries and fisheries performance as well as ecosystem interactions.
- Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation
- Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
Desired Qualifications:
- 5-7 years’ experience in marine conservation or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Knowledge of MPAs, biodiversity conservation needs, coral reef fisheries, related ecosystems, ecosystem processes preferred
- Strong project management knowledge and skills, conversant with project management cycles and project planning and management tools.
- Good knowledge of and demonstrated experience in spatial planning, related policies and GIS as applied to marine ecosystems.
- Experience in the management and implementation of multi-stakeholder projects/processes. Proven capacity as team player and team builder.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in marine conservation.
- Ability to work independently including keeping timelines.
- Ability to explain conservation practices to technical and non-technical audiences including through strong writing skills
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- Politically savvy.
- A passion for ocean conservation.
What We Bring:
Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become 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, we impact conservation throughout the world!
The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, Retirement Pension Stipend, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work wellbeing benefits. Learn more about our benefits at in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.
We’re proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellbeing, and flexibility needs of the people we employ!