Job Description
OFFICE LOCATION
Africa
This position can be based in any of the African countries where TNC has an office, (Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, South Africa, Angola or Gabon) but you must already have the right to work in the country, and there is no relocation assistance provided.
#LI-Onsite
WHO WE ARE
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 9 countries we operate.
TNC’s work in Africa entails 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 and habitat and biodiversity loss that stand to adversely impact the nearly 1.4 billion people who share Africa.
TNC Africa’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning approach values science, reliable and valid data, baselines and endlines, and tracking key performance indicators to inform the adaptive management of implementation activities.
WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER
This position provides leadership for TNC Africa’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) activities. Much of the work involves helping MEL colleagues in the region solve problems in complex situations. The position is equal parts hands-on helping and advising on MEL. Up to 50% of the time will be travel within Africa to help with MEL challenges and provide technical support. The Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning reports to the TNC Africa Conservation Director.
WE’RE LOOKING FOR YOU
You will have the opportunity to work in some of the most important places for biodiversity in Africa, visit stunningly beautiful areas, meet with local people, and share amazing times with colleagues in the field. You will be working in the Africa region of TNC where 96% of staff say they would recommend TNC as a great place to work, and the 10-year staff retention rate is 90%. You will be working with a team of 10+ MEL professionals who have made TNC Africa a leader in MEL work internally and externally. You will be at the forefront of MEL work at TNC and have the opportunity to influence MEL practices throughout the organization. This position can be based in any of the African countries where TNC has an office, but you must already have the right to work in the country, and there is no relocation assistance provided.
Roles and Responsibilities
- MEL startup for a new project:
- Creating a Theory of Change
- Drafting a MEL Plan
- Recruiting MEL staff
- Training and backstopping new MEL staff
- Helping establish data collection systems
- Conducting data analysis
- Creating online dashboards of key performance indicators for a project
- Evaluation:
- Designing ecological and socioeconomic impact assessments with control groups
- Recruiting and supervising consultancies for household surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews
- Learning:
- Organizing periodic Pause, Reflect and Adjust meetings for major projects to foster the adaptive management of project activities
- Liaising with MEL professionals inside and outside the organization
- Other activities:
- Reviewing new project proposals to ensure MEL is built into the budget and design from the start
- Backstopping the tri-annual program reviews and bi-annual strategy reviews in the region
- Ensuring the Hub project and strategy records for Africa are kept up-to-date
- Working with partner organizations to help solve MEL challenges
WHAT YOU’LL BRING
- Master’s Degree in science related field and 6 years related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Technical experience of Monitoring Evaluation & Learning
- Cross-cultural work experience
- Experience working with partner organizations on Monitoring Evaluation & Learning
- Experience doing data analysis, report writing, and presentations to large groups of people
- Problem-solving skills experience
- Experience with coaching and mentoring
Desired Qualification
- Multi-language skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- PhD preferred and 3-5 years related experience considered.
- Detailed technical knowledge of Monitoring Evaluation & Learning
- A coaching/mentoring approach that values diversity and feedback
- Strong knowledge of common software applications.
- Ability to diagnose complex problems and identify solutions.
- Excellent communication skills, written, spoken and graphical.
- Ability to operate within budget guidelines to ensure sound financial performance.
- Advanced Excel and Word skills
- Attention to detail
- Training experience
WHAT WE BRING
Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!
TNC offers competitive and comprehensive benefits packages tailored to the individual countries where we work. These may include health care benefits, retirement benefits, parental leave, paid time off, life insurance, and disability coverage as well as an employee assistance program and other life and well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.
We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports the health and well-being of the people we employ.
APPLY NOW
To apply for job ID 52955, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.
Where legally permissible, TNC requires all new employees to be fully vaccinated and willing to keep up to date with vaccines that protect against COVID-19. By accepting an offer of employment, you agree to comply with this requirement, unless you are entitled to a legally mandated exemption.
An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.
Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.