The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world's toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.
One of TNC's primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we'll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply – we'd love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you'll join for the mission, and you'll stay for the 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 nine 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 Zambia, TNC has a primary geographical focus on the Greater Kafue Ecosystem (GKE). This is Zambia's largest conservation landscape, a 66,000 sq. km complex of great biodiversity value, dominated by the 22,000 sq. km Kafue National Park and nine Game Management Areas (GMAs) under communal tenure that span an additional 44,000 sq. km. TNC is working with communities and diverse public and private stakeholders in this ecosystem to strengthen community tenure over natural resources, develop effective natural resource governance and management systems and create sustainable conservation management and revenue generation models for the landscape.
WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER
The Conservation Coordinator coordinates and manages TNC's conservation activities in the Southern GKE and the Zambian component of the Zambezi-Chobe Floodplain Wildlife Dispersal Area. They will serve as the principle point of contact to local public, private and community stakeholders involved in TNC's interventions in that area, which are determined by the needs of specific funded projects. The role will provide technical support to project partners, including government, NGO and community organizations, and be responsible for the successful undertaking of project activities, reporting on those activities and ensuring the outcomes of the projects are achieved. They will be responsible for coordinating the partnerships and activities of individual projects and drawing these into a single coherent workstream that contributes to TNC's wider goals for the southern segment of GKE.
WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU
The Conservation Coordinator shall be primarily responsible for the implementation of TNC's community conservation activities in Mulobezi and Sichifulo Game Management Areas and in the community conservation areas to the south of these GMAs. They will work with TNC's public and private partners, communities, and community-based conservation organizations to ensure the delivery of conservation and community development outcomes consistent with TNC Zambia's conservation strategy. The Conservation Coordinator will be based in TNC's Livingstone Office and will report to TNC's Community Conservation Program Manager.
Specifically, the Conservation Coordinator – South Kafue:
- Cultivates and develops partnerships with key stakeholders in the landscape, including communities, government agencies, collaborating partners and private sector actors.
- Works with and supports TNC's partners to undertake initiatives in strengthening landscape governance and management systems, enhancing community conservation, and facilitating the development of nature-based enterprise to achieve TNC's intended outcomes
- Provides technical support to community conservation organizations and their partners to implement resource protection and management plans, develop self-reliance and financial sustainability, and cultivate linkages with private market actors in the nature-based business sector
- Creates linkages to and manages relationships with local, regional, and national level partners in community conservation
- Contributes to the design and development of conservation models that empower local communities through defined property tenure rights and access and benefit sharing mechanisms
- Facilitates the development of viable nature-based enterprises and business partnerships on communal lands that will spur conservation outcomes and increased economic returns to local communities.
- Works as part of TNC Zambia's conservation team, ensuring close communication, collaboration and learning with peers in the team
- Works with TNC Zambia's monitoring and evaluation team to report on conservation activities and measure outcomes in accordance with TNC's M&E framework
- Communicates TNC's vision consistently across the area of work focus with partners and stakeholders
- May require frequent travel domestically and during evening and weekend hours.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations and under physically demanding circumstances.
Minimum Qualifications:
- BA/BS degree and 5 years' experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including staffing, workloads and finances under deadlines.
- Experience in conservation project management.
- 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 in negotiating and conflict management
- Communication skills in written, spoken, and graphical means in English.
- Competence in computer skills (e.g., Excel, Word).
Desired Qualifications:
- A passion for Zambia's wildlife and wild spaces.
- Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- 5-7 years' experience in conservation practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Demonstrated experience influencing, developing, and implementing conservation policy and plans.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in the wildlife, natural resource management and community conservation sectors in Zambia
- Knowledge of community-based conservation organizations and/or nature-based business
- Experience in resource stewardship e.g., managing and tracking budgets
- Experience in monitoring and evaluation of rural or environmental projects
- Ability to communicate in the local languages spoken in the focal area
- Ability to work independently with strong self-motivation
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and regions.
- 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 other relevant languages.
- Demonstrated experience in fundraising.
- Politically savvy.
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 world's most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff, we impact conservation worldwide!
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, and other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.
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