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 are 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 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 Gabon, The Nature Conservancy is working collaboratively to build and support an ambitious biodiversity conservation and climate mitigation agenda and to support the Government of Gabon’s 30x30x30 commitment; recently closing a $500m Blue Bonds deal which netted $163m for a conservation trust fund, as well as forming the foundation of a Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) to ensure long term sustainability for conservation actions. 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
The Country Director will provide strategic direction to the Gabon Country Program, manage staff, and lead the development and implementation of the Gabon strategy. The position will oversee operations, which include resource mobilization, partner relations, staff supervision, recruitment, escalated problem resolution, and coordination. The Country Director will supervise a team of staff involved in the delivery of conservation programs/projects in the Gabon country office and will report to our Program Delivery Director.
WE’RE LOOKING FOR YOU
The Country Director serves as the principal contact for government agencies and other strategic partners. They will develop and maintain key partnerships with international, regional, national, and local governmental, multilateral, bilateral, private, and non-governmental organizations that help advance TNC’s conservation objectives in the country and the continent. The Country Director plays a leading role in donor identification and cultivation of partnerships to establish TNC as a major conservation partner in the country. They will also lead implementation of all the Conservation Program, coordinate and support activities while liaising with a range of stakeholders both internally and externally.
Specifically, the Country Director will deliver:
- Strategic leadership
- Develop country strategic plan and ensure its implementation, monitoring, evaluation and learning progress review.
- Provide TNC leadership with an account of the country impact and targets aligned with the overarching strategic goals.
- Provide leadership for the establishment and implementation of TNC regional and global strategy projects and initiatives in Gabon to ensure they are aligned with and contribute to the country strategic plan.
- Program Management
- Provide implementation oversight of all in country programs and projects.
- Ensure all in country programs and projects are implemented on time and on budget.
- Provide oversight of in country project and program adaptation and provide quarterly program reviews and monitoring updates.
- Develop and monitor country budget in line with allocated funds, in close collaboration with the deputy country director, strategy leads, the project/program leads and the finance team.
- Provide oversight of in country budget management including operational costs and risks for budget adjustments.
- Fundraising
- Play a key role in fundraising and reporting to donors by working closely with our private and public fundraising teams.
- Policy & Partnership Management at National Level
- Provide oversight for policy development towards aligning TNC conservation goals to the development agenda of a country.
- Manage and monitor relationship with country-specific partners including government, communities, key stakeholders, and implementation partners.
- Relay feedback from partners to the rest of the organization.
- People management
- Responsible for day-to-day management of all staff in-country.
- Manages and/or mentors multi-disciplinary administrative and conservation staff and responsible for performance management, training, and career development.
- Facilitate effective collaboration and communication across multiple departments and teams in–country using matrix management principles.
- Make in-country hiring decisions and performance management.
WHAT YOU’LL BRING
- BA/BS degree and 10 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience directing a major program or project of strategic importance, including management/supervision of multi-disciplinary teams and meeting deadlines.
- Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation
- Experience working with current trends and practices in conservation in Africa and specifically Gabon.
- 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 project deals with government and non-government partners.
- Experience influencing, developing, and implementing conservation policy and plans at the province or country level.
- Experience with financial management of a large program.
- Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and French
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi- lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- 10-12 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Developing practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
- Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives and experience conceiving and implementing strategic initiatives.
- Politically savvy.