Gabon Marine Manager
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 resources for local communities’ 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 socioeconomic 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 through national debt restructuring and marine spatial planning science, known as Blue Bonds, with emphasis on linking science and communities to habitat protection and management. TNC’s work on fisheries aims to safeguard productive marine and freshwater 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.
In Gabon, TNC is working collaboratively in support of the country’s ambitious biodiversity conservation and climate mitigation agenda. TNC works across freshwater, ocean and terrestrial ecosystems to protect and sustainable manage critical habitats for species, ecosystems, and carbon stocks. TNC brings science and innovative tools and approaches to inform better decision-making, develops innovative financial mechanisms for long-term sustainability, cultivates strategic partnership and fosters the needs for inclusive, equitable conservation that benefits nature and people.
What We Can Achieve Together:
The Marine Manager – Gabon establishes the Conservancy as a major conservation partner within the marine community of Gabon and the broader Gulf of Guinea region, defines conservation priorities and long-term conservation strategies for TNC’s local engagements, builds strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field and develops key partnerships with public and private organizations to identify and resolve technical issues and to widely communicate solutions and best practices. The Marine Manager – Gabon directs all aspects of TNC’s work in support of protection, science, stewardship and community relations for the coastal and marine areas of Gabon. This role serves as the principle contact to government agencies, other conservation organizations, foundations and the academic community. The position leads design, development and implementation of TNC’s activities in ocean protection across the exclusive economic zone of Gabon, including oversight of TNC’s role in guiding marine spatial planning, marine protected area management and fisheries regulations. This may include working with TNC’s regional oceans team towards conservation outcomes within the Gulf of Guinea and other connected ecosystems. The strategic focus is securing large scale ocean protection through marine spatial planning and developing durable management capacity for implementation through the development of innovative sustainable financing and partnerships.
We’re Looking for You:
The ideal candidate will have experience in conservation, policy, and sustainable programs for oceans and/or coasts. They will have experience facilitating and leading multiple objective planning processes and working across matrix organizations in the Africa Region. This position will report to the Gabon Deputy Program Director and work closely with TNC’s Africa and global oceans teams. The position will be based at TNC’s office in Libreville, Gabon.
Specifically, the Marine Manager – Gabon will:
- Lead and oversee the Oceans Program for Gabon, consistent with the Africa Oceans Strategy and with a view to achieving sustainable financing to support effective implementation of an expanded network of marine protected areas.
- Work in collaboration with TNC’s regional and global teams (e.g. the Nature Bonds, Ocean Planning & Mapping teams), as well as the Gabon country team to advance marine conservation outcomes, sustainable financing and TNC’s role in supporting national goals.
- Support the Government of Gabon, including relevant departments and agencies involved with ocean and coastal management, to advance outcomes associated with national ocean conservation goals and targets.
- Advance national level planning efforts that increase conservation outcomes, including climate mitigation and resilience plans, marine spatial plans and coastal zone plans.
- Support efforts to create and advance community-based strategies for better managed coastal and marine areas.
- 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.
- Lead and manage local project team to support and improve conservation efforts.
- Work within a budget to complete projects, negotiate and manage contract with vendors and assist with budget development.
- Support fundraising by contributing to proposals and representing the Africa Oceans Program where/when needed.
- Build cooperation from outside parties and strategic partnerships to accomplish program goals
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Frequently makes independent decision based on analysis, experience, and context.
What You’ll Bring:
- BA/BS degree in Ecology, Marine Science, Environmental Science, Marine Conservation Biology, and 7 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience with marine spatial planning, including stakeholder engagements and implementation of ocean protection initiatives.
- Multi-lingual (French and English) and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including staffing, workloads and finances under 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.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- MSc degree in Ecology, Marine Science, Environmental Science, Marine Conservation Biology, relevant field 7-10 years’ experience in conservation practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Familiarity with Gabon’s coastal and marine ecosystems, communities, and related governance systems.
- Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in marine conservation, especially within the region.
- Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives or related field.
- Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and French.
- Demonstrated experience in fundraising.
- Politically savvy.
- A passion for oceans and marine protection.
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, flexible spending accounts, 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!