Africa Climate Adaptation Lead
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.”
TNC’s work in Africa transcends three key pillars: securing ownership rights to lands and resources 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.
What We Can Achieve Together:
The Africa Climate Adaptation Lead will lead the development and execution of TNC’s Africa climate adaptation strategy, including a robust and scientifically sound theory of change. TNC’s Africa adaptation work will also help accelerate and scale the deployment of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) to help realize TNC Africa’s 2030 climate mitigation and ecosystem conservation goals. They will provide guidance on prioritizations and scaling of NBS pathways and lead the strengthening of adaptation and resilience approaches in rangelands, food systems (climate-smart agriculture), agroforestry and blue economy to reduce risk and vulnerability while building community resilience.. They will liaise with counterparts within the organization to provide and extract lessons and experience and to coordinate on joint practice approaches. They will partner with the Africa IPLC 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. [You could also add here: The position will collaborate with TNC’s global adaptation team in the development and implementation of the region’s adaptation strategy.]
This position will report to the Africa Climate Director and work closely with the Africa Terrestrial team, the Africa Freshwater team, the Africa Oceans team, the Africa IPLC team, and the TNC’s Global Tackle Climate Change team, The position will require strong networking and coordination skills to manage a program that cuts across strategies, countries and regions. This position may involve about 25-35% domestic and international travel and can be based in any of the countries in Africa where TNC has an office. No employment visas or relocation assistance is being offered with this position except for the local labor employment requirements.
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.
We’re looking for someone who is passionate and a motivated problem-solver. Our team in Africa is dedicated to tackling climate change in creative and innovative ways. Come Join us!
Roles and Responsibilities
- Design and implement TNC Africa Climate Adaptation Strategy including a robust and scientifically sound theory of change, to accelerate and scale the deployment of NBS.
- Coordinate a regional climate adaptation team to provide high-level support and coordination for climate adaptation work through the implementation of nature-based approaches to adaptation, science and other policy and finance mechanisms.
- Design, coordinate, collaborate, implement, support complex and diverse projects, encompassing multiple programs in multiple countries, and coordinating the work of other professionals, inside and outside the organization.
- Incorporate cross-disciplinary knowledge to support program objectives.
- Provide adaption policy support to inform adaption workstreams in the UNFCCC and other national and regional adaptation policy processes, including the Global Goal on Adaptation.
- Maintain and build on TNC’s role as a major conservation and adaptation partner within the Region’s NBS community.
- Serve as the principal climate adaptation contact and develop and maintain productive collaborations with governments, communities, other conservation organizations, and foundations – as well as with TNC staff in other regions and globally.
- Build capacity internally and externally for NBS design and implementation, including strategies for understanding and addressing barriers, and support the build out of extensive outreach and training opportunities.
- Build the capacity of partners and local actors such as coastal and fisher communities, pastoralists, and smallholder farmers to manage better and address adaptation needs and actions
- May require frequent travel domestically and/or internationally and evening and weekend hours.
What You’ll Bring:
- BA/BS degree and 7 years’ experience in conservation practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Extensive understanding of the science of and experience in implementing climate change adaptation projects, natural climate solutions and nature-based solutions in general.
- Experience working with and advising on current trends and practices in climate science and nature-based approaches to adaptation, especially in an African context.
- Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation
- Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.
- Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting, and achieving objectives and managing performance.
- Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
- Experience working with communities and actors at local/community level on climate related and resilience building issues.
- Experience negotiating.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Fluency in French an added benefit.
- Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- 7-10 years’ experience in conservation and climate adaptation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Demonstrated experience influencing, developing, and implementing adaptation and conservation policy and plans.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in climate adaptation and NCS in Africa.
- Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
- Politically savvy.
- A passion for nature and wild places.
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, Pension/ Gratuity stipend including employer match, 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!