Job Description

A LITTLE ABOUT US
Founded in 1951, the Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. One of our core values is our commitment to diversity. Therefore, we strive for a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Working in 72 countries, including all 50 United States, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.

YOUR POSITION WITH TNC
The Senior Associate, Ocean Planning and Mapping assists in the development and implementation of Ocean Protection strategies at TNC and helps drive implementation of the overall business plan to achieve planned conservation outcomes envisioned by the global ocean strategies.
The location for this position is flexible within countries where The Nature Conservancy has an established office, ideally within a time zone compatible with North, Central, and South America. This position is not eligible for relocation or immigration assistance.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Senior Associate, Ocean Planning and Mapping supports the Director, Ocean Planning and Mapping and team by managing priority projects and serves as a technical resource on relevant global strategy and/or project(s). This position provides Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) support to TNC priority strategies for sustainable financing for ocean conservation such as Blue Bonds for Ocean Conservation. The Senior Associate serves as a key liaison and informational contact between the global strategy team and other TNC staff in country and regional programs, as well as external partners including governments, NGOs, marine stakeholders, communities, academia, and other groups as applicable. They track and/or assess global best practice and views on MSP, marine protections, and a sustainable Blue Economy, including ocean policy and stakeholder engagement processes. They advise and support TNC communications, marketing, and philanthropy staff on issues related to priority strategies and assist the global strategy and/or priority project(s) leads to help ensure that TNC’s internal and external communications accurately reflect the strategy and conservation goals.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Provides strategic and technical MSP support with the global conservation and MSP team to TNC country program teams and global strategy management teams.
• Provides subject matter expertise and advice on strategy for ocean protection and MSP; tracks international and national commitments on ocean protection and biodiversity conservation and is aware of major trends in development of maritime sectors.
• Resolves complex problems with minimal supervision, seeking inputs from peers and relevant experts; works collaboratively on teams.
• Conducts research and analysis.
• Assists in developing reports, presentations and assessments on topics related to MSP and ocean protection.
• Assists in the preparation of communications materials and coordinating learning within TNC; presenting at conferences and workshops.
• May serve as a global conservation and MSP leader for assigned geographies; may require gaining cooperation with a team over whom there is no direct supervisory authority.
• May help with tracking the Conservancy’s Ocean Protection and management global goals; collaborates and coordinates with other ocean programs and projects in other Business Units to advance Conservancy’s global goals.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Develops conservation commitments for ocean protection and management, which can bind the Conservancy legally and financially.
• Plans and directs work on Ocean Protection priority strategies; recruits and supervises staff; hires and manages consultants as needed or as funding is available.
• Assists with fundraising, provide content, expertise, and technical advisor for philanthropy. Fundraising for small grants for technology and tools, as required.
• Works within a budget to complete projects and assists with annual budget development and tracking.
• May travel up to 40% both domestically and internationally (when approved for TNC staff), and to work occasional weekends and evenings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in natural science, social science, political science, public policy, international relations, international development, ecology or related field and at least 5 years related experience, or equivalent combination.
• Experience in research, critical analysis, and evaluating information from divergent sources and compiling it into cohesive reports.
• Experience writing and editing technical and non-technical material.
• Experience presenting to and/or communicating with government or legislative staff, community or business leaders, program leadership and/or similar audiences.
• Experience with time management.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience.
• Master’s degree.
• Critical analytical thinking and excellent English writing skills are essential.
• On-the-ground experience with advancing ocean conservation and participatory processes such as marine spatial planning, marine protected area networks and/or sector-based management plans.
• Familiarity and knowledge related to marine economic sectors, governmental, and/or environmental policy and practices pertaining to ocean conservation, marine spatial planning, and marine protections.
• Familiarity and knowledge related to climate change and ocean impacts.
• Ability to sensitively advise other staff on how to effectively engage with internal and external parties.
• Ability to develop and drive new ideas and approaches.
• Ability to work well in a highly matrixed, decentralized, and collaborative organization. Possesses strong interpersonal skills, situational awareness, and political savvy. Must be a team player.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet time sensitive deadlines.
• NGO, corporate and/or government experience a strong plus.
• Fundraising skills a plus.
• Ability to write and speak in a language other than English, such as Spanish, Portuguese, or French, highly desirable.

How to Apply

Job Categories: Conservation. Job Types: Full-Time. Job Tags: mapping, oceanplanning, TheNatureConservancy, and TNC.

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