TNC is investing in a systematic and structured approach to conceptualize, design, and implement large landscape-level conservation frameworks that are durable and equitable, and link community-based conservation, protected area management and national level biodiversity conservation and climate ambitions. TNC pursues conservation finance and funding options for these scenarios across freshwater, ocean and terrestrial ecosystems to protect and sustainable manage critical habitats for species, ecosystems, and carbon stocks.

TNC works with communities, governments and non-governmental partners to design mechanisms that provide long term support to large landscape conservation programs. These programs are designed to significantly contribute to lasting protection of important natural ecosystems to achieve biodiversity, climate change, and human well-being objectives.

The Deputy Conservation Director provides strategic leadership and coordinates long-term protection strategies across the region, combining science, finance, policy and governance solutions to scale conservation results, leveraging existing and future investments and ultimately conservation impact in Africa.

Building on TNC’s conservation strategies, the Deputy Director will leverage science, finance, policy and governance tools to design and deploy long-term conservation outcomes across Africa. The role will provide strategic leadership to large-landscape protection efforts in Africa using amongst others innovative financial models and equitable governance structures that will help scale to TNC’s global 2030 goals. The Deputy Director will be guided by priorities of the Africa conservation programs and work in close partnership with the TNC Global Protect team, to build a regional program for protection that benefits people and nature on the continent for the foreseeable future. They will work closely with Africa Strategy and Country Programs leads as well as amongst others the Impact Finance and Market teams to ensure coordination and alignment to deliver TNC’s conservation outcomes. 

The Deputy Conservation Director will represent TNC Africa with donors and partners to build support for TNCs long-term sustainable protection and conservation strategies. They will develop and coordinate implementation of protection transactions such as the Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) in Kenya and Gabon and work to elevate lessons learned across the region and from Africa into the wider organization. This position may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. May require frequent travel domestically and/or internationally and evening and weekend hours.

The Deputy Conservation Director will report to the Africa Conservation Director and will supervise the Africa Durable Finance Director, and the Kenya and Gabon PFP Directors. This position can be based at any location in Africa where TNC has an office.       

Are you looking to further your career in support of nature and people? Guided by science, TNC creates innovative and durable solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together.

We’re looking for someone who is passionate, creative and a problem-solver. By joining our regional Africa team, you will become part of a group that is a force to be reckoned with: a force for nature, a force for people, and a force for our planet. Our team consists of a dedicated group who are leading the conservation effort on multiple fronts and who expertly bring strategy and action together. Join us! 

Role Scope and Key Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the successful delivery and high-quality sustainable outcomes of TNC-led long-term protection initiatives in Africa.
• Building partnerships across NGO, government, private sector and community actors to achieve a set of targeted, collaborative and equitable protection goals.
• Facilitate coordination, communication and effective execution of protection deals between program, country, regional and global TNC leads.
• Provide strategic leadership and support conservation planning that brings together conservation priorities, policy, governance and financial modeling into blueprints to scale conservation outcomes.
• Provide oversight to the Planning and Implementation Phases of the Kenya and Gabon Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) deals and future deals that are currently still being scoped.
• Provide leadership to the implementation of the Kenya Focal Place Phase 2, and mobilization of global support.
• Serve as the principle contact to government agencies, other conservation organizations, foundations and the academic community as far as long-term sustainable protection strategies are concerned.   
• Work with the regional finance team in annual budgeting and ensure conservation program objectives and costing are aligned.
• Lead and manage a team that focuses on scaling proven conservation efforts by establishing long-term sustainable and equitable mechanisms in the countries that TNC has prioritized in Africa. 
• Play a leading role in donor and investor identification, cultivation, and stewardship for durable protection.
• Responsible for the dissemination of best practices and development of key partnerships.
• Build strategic, financial, and technical capacity in the field, develop key partnerships with public and private organizations in order to identify and resolve technical issues and to widely communicate solutions and best practices, and develop innovative durable financing mechanisms, analyses, tools, and frameworks to address ecosystem needs.