Angola Conservation Finance Policy Specialist At The Nature Conservancy

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 Programme 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 nine countries we operate.

Our 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.

In Angola, The Nature Conservancy is working collaboratively to build and support an ambitious biodiversity conservation and climate mitigation agenda. TNC works across freshwater, ocean, and terrestrial ecosystems to protect and sustainably manage critical habitats for species, ecosystems, and climate mitigation. TNC brings science and innovative tools and approaches to inform better decision-making, develops innovative financial mechanisms for long-term sustainability, cultivates strategic partnerships, and fosters the need for inclusive, equitable conservation that benefits nature and people.

WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER

One of the major goals of this position is to support the establishment and implementation of TNC’s emerging conservation finance work in Angola through sustainable financing mechanisms that aim to support conservation and climate commitments, bridge the nature finance gap and support local communities.

The Conservation Finance Policy Specialist supports the establishment and implementation of TNC’s emerging conservation finance work in Angola, developing and implementing conservation finance strategies to support the achievement of government conservation goals. Serves as the principle contact to government and key partner organizations, developing relationships and works effectively with government, corporate, international donor agency and non-governmental organization partners. The Conservation Finance Policy Specialist works with an interdisciplinary team serving as a subject matter expert and advisor on conservation finance strategies, which can support the delivery of shared conservation goals. The position works to co-develop strategies with government gaining buy-in and support, engage with government on conservation financing opportunities, coordinate stakeholder outreach and engagement, managing multi-disciplinary consultants, monitoring performance on contracted services and participates in and negotiates for complex, high profile or sensitive agreements.

The position will be based in Luanda, Angola and reports to TNC’s Angola Government Relations Advisor and will work closely with the Africa Durable Finance Director as well as with the TNC Angola conservation team, regional and global protection and finance teams.

This is an initial 3-year term limited position with an extension of tenure subject to performance and availability of funds. No employment visas or assistance is being offered with this position except for the local labor employment requirements.

WE’RE LOOKING FOR YOU

The key roles and responsibilities for this position are:

• Engage government on TNC conservation financing opportunities and support the identification of appropriate mechanisms for the country.
• For the identified conservation finance opportunities, develop and implement a plan to work with the government on a set of conservation commitments and milestones that will be the focus of conservation funding.
• Coordinate stakeholder outreach and engagement. Responsible for supporting outreach on sustainable finance engagements with key government stakeholders across several ministries, including Ministers, technical staff, legal advisors, bankers as appropriate. This will be done in close cooperation with TNC Angola team and regional and global teams.
• Support alignment between the conservation interventions to be financed and key policies, including the National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (NBSAP) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).
• Keep a record of meetings, capturing decisions and action items as well as take responsibility for following up on action items in collaboration with local and global teams.
• Work with the Angolan government to engage relevant institutions on conservation finance topics, in order to expand support for conservation implementation (e.g., international lending agencies, bilateral development groups, and private investors and donors).
• Develop relationships and works effectively with corporate, government, community, donor agency and non-governmental organization partners.
• Participate in and negotiate complex, high profile or sensitive conservation agreements.
• Communicate effectively about TNC’s conservation finance strategies.
• When needed, manage multi-disciplinary consultants taking responsibility for establishing clear deliverables and monitoring performance on contracted services.
• Ensure that program meets all lobbying, contractual and legal regulations, and standards.
• Support decision-making based on analysis, experience, and context.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

• BA/BS degree and 5 years’ experience in conservation practice or environmental policy, management, finance-related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including staffing, workloads and finances under deadlines.
• Experience researching, critically analysing, and evaluating information from divergent sources and compiling it into cohesive reports and recommendations for strategy and action.
• Experience writing and editing promotional and informational material.
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives, and managing consultants.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
• Experience developing, directing, and managing multiple projects and implementing strategic program goals.
• Expereience with the workings of Angola’s Economy and Finance Sector, including the legislative, normative, and institutional framework for public finance and the processes for analyzing and approving economic and financial instruments.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master of Business Administration, Certified Public Accountant qualification or master’s degree in relevant finance field
• Over 7 years of government relations related to financial matters or financial sector experience, or equivalent combination education/experience.
• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural experience appreciated.
• Expert knowledge of the current Government and the workings of Government in Angola, including approval processes and legislative and regulatory instruments through Committee, Cabinet, and Treasury.
• Experience presenting to and communicating with management-level individuals within the private sector.
• Excellent team player with experience working in multi-disciplinary groups, using influence and interpersonal skills, listening, diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships with governments, corporations, partners, donors, volunteers, and all levels of staff.
• Understanding of economic priorities and how conservation actions can contribute to national priorities.
• Critical analytical thinking and excellent English writing skills are essential.
• Familiarity and knowledge related to business, governmental, and/or environmental policy and practices pertaining to the global strategy area of focus.
• Ability to develop and drive new ideas and approaches.
• Ability to write and speak in English and Portuguese.
• Politically savvy.