Who are we :
The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters on which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our planet’s toughest challenges, creating a world where people and nature thrive. We are rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From career development to flexible schedules and a fulfilling mission, there are many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want to get to know TNC better? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube or Glassdoor.
Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the world feel a sense of belonging and their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know that we will only achieve our mission by recruiting and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements stated in our job postings, we recognize that individuals come with talents and experiences beyond a job. Diversity of experience and skills, coupled with passion, is the key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please feel free to apply—we would love to hear from you. To quote a myriad of TNC staff members, “You’ll join us for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”
Since the Africa program’s inception in 2007, The Nature Conservancy’s vision in Africa has been to work toward a sustainable future for people and nature, in partnership with indigenous communities across 55 million hectares of 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 across the nine countries where we operate.
TNC’s work in Africa is based on three main pillars: securing land and resource ownership rights for local communities, 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. With our partners, we are witnessing crucial milestones in integrated land and fisheries management, ocean and water source protection, energy development, and sustainable food production. We are working together and strengthening our resolve to address global challenges such as climate change, habitat loss, and biodiversity loss, which threaten to negatively impact the nearly 1.4 billion people who share Africa.
In Gabon, The Nature Conservancy is collaborating to develop and support an ambitious biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation program, as well as the Gabonese government’s 30x30x30 commitment. The company recently completed a $500 million blue bond agreement, which raised $163 million for a conservation trust fund and laid the groundwork for project financing for permanence (PFP) to ensure the long-term viability of conservation actions. TNC works in freshwater, ocean, and terrestrial ecosystems to protect and sustainably manage critical habitats for species, ecosystems, and climate change 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 promotes the need for inclusive and 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 Country Director will oversee operations, including resource mobilization, partner relations, staff supervision, recruitment, problem-solving, and coordination. The Country Director will supervise a team of staff involved in the implementation of conservation programs/projects in the Gabon country office and will report to our Director of Program Implementation.
It’s You We Are Looking For:
The Country Director is the primary contact for government agencies and other strategic partners. They develop and maintain key partnerships with international, regional, national, and local governmental, multilateral, bilateral, private, and non-governmental organizations that contribute to advancing TNC’s conservation objectives in the country and on the continent. The Country Director plays a leading role in identifying donors and building partnerships to establish TNC as a major conservation partner in the country. They will also lead the implementation of all conservation programs, coordinate and support activities, and liaise with a range of stakeholders, both within and outside the country.
More specifically, the Country Director will be responsible for:
- Strategic leadership
- Develop a national strategic plan and ensure its implementation, monitoring, evaluation and review of progress made in learning.
- Provide TNC management with an account of country impact and objectives aligned with overall strategic objectives.
- Provide leadership in the establishment and implementation of TNC’s regional and global strategic projects and initiatives in Gabon to ensure they are aligned with and contribute to the country’s strategic plan.
- Program management
- Oversee the implementation of all programs and projects in the country.
- Ensure that all national programs and projects are implemented on time and within budget.
- Oversee the adaptation of projects and programs in the country and provide quarterly program reviews and monitoring updates.
- Develop and monitor the national budget based on allocated funds, working closely with the Deputy National Director, Strategy Managers, Project/Program Managers and the Finance Team.
- Oversee budget management in the country, including operational costs and risks related to budget adjustments.
- Fundraising
- Play a key role in fundraising and donor reporting by working closely with our private and public fundraising teams.
- Management of policies and partnerships at the national level
- Oversee the development of policies to align TNC’s conservation objectives with a country’s development agenda.
- Manage and monitor relationships with country-specific partners, including government, communities, key stakeholders and implementing partners.
- Transmit feedback from partners to the rest of the organization.
- Personnel management
- Responsible for the day-to-day management of all staff in the country.
- Manage and/or supervise multidisciplinary administrative and curatorial staff and be 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 recruitment and performance management decisions in the country.
What You Will Bring:
- BA/BS degree and 10 years of experience in conservation or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience leading a large program or project of strategic importance, including managing/supervising multidisciplinary teams and meeting deadlines.
- Experience in fundraising, including identifying and nurturing potential donors.
- Experience of current trends and practices in conservation in Africa and more specifically in Gabon.
- Experience in supervision, including motivation, direction, goal setting and performance management.
- Experience developing partnerships with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
- Experience in negotiating complex projects with government and non-government partners.
- Experience in influencing, developing and implementing conservation policies and plans at the provincial or national level.
- Experience in financial management of a large-scale program.
- Communicate clearly in writing, orally and graphically in English and French.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multilingual and multicultural or intercultural experience appreciated.
- 10 to 12 years of experience in the field of conservation or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
- Development of practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
- Knowledge of methods and standards for biodiversity information systems and initiatives and experience in designing and implementing strategic initiatives.
- Political sense.
What We Bring:
Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in, protecting the lands and waters on which all life depends. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown into one of the most effective and far-reaching environmental organizations in the world. With over 1 million members, more than 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff, we impact conservation worldwide!
The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, including healthcare benefits, flexible spending accounts, a retirement allowance, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, an employee assistance program, and other workplace life and wellness benefits. To learn more about our benefits, visit the Culture tab at nature.org/careers.
We pride ourselves on providing a work environment that supports the health, well-being and flexibility of the people we employ!
This description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities required for this position.
Our Skills:
The Nature Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer . Our commitment to diversity includes recognizing that our conservation mission is best served by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures. Recruiting and leading staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority, and we encourage applicants of any culture, race, color, religion, gender, national or regional origin, age, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.
TNC is committed to providing accommodations to individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans during our application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [email protected] with “Request for Accommodation” in the subject line.
How to apply
The Nature Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer . Our commitment to diversity includes recognizing that our conservation mission is best served by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures. Recruiting and leading staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority, and we encourage applicants of any culture, race, color, religion, gender, national or regional origin, age, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.
TNC is committed to providing accommodations to individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans during our application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [email protected] with “Request for Accommodation” in the subject line.
