Job Description

Kenya 

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube  or on Glassdoor.  

Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

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

The Kenya Program is one of TNC’s oldest programs in Africa. TNC has been working in Kenya since 2007, launching a suite of conservation strategies and projects across the landscape that focus on community-led conservation efforts to protect wildlife, fresh water, oceans, and fisheries; address climate change impacts; and expand regenerative agriculture.

Kenya is a member of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People that champions the CBD 30x30 target. To sustainably protect and conserve 30% of Kenya’s terrestrial and inland waters ecosystems it is important to anchor this into government policies and legislations. Working with government at National and County level is important to domesticate international Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAS) for nature and people. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Global Biodiversity Framework recently adopted is a landmark for the efforts to halt biodiversity loss. The Implementation of its 4 goals and 23 targets, including for the achievement of protecting and conserving 30% of its land and oceans is critical for Kenya. To effectively deliver and manage the 30% under conservation and protection requires strong policies for impact at the grassroot level.

The Conservation Policy Advisor will manage, integrate and coordinate existing partnerships with government and other key stakeholders to advance TNC CBD 30x30 work in Kenya. They will work closely with the government CBD desk and other ministries and agencies within the area of responsibility with a view to mainstream biodiversity conservation in their policies and actions. The position will work closely with the government to define conservation priorities and long-term conservation strategies, to assess existing policies and design new ones. Also, the post holder will support on monitoring implementation of such policies and on reporting on progress. For that, the post holder is expected to promote an open-dialogue between stakeholders and resolve technical and policy-related issues and to widely communicate solutions and best practices.

The Conservation Policy Advisor- Kenya will work collaboratively with key stakeholders, both internal and external to achieve overall TNC Kenya program priorities with specific focus on Kenya’s CBD 30x30 commitments, including through its links with the High Ambition Coalition. They will collaborate with other national and global technical teams, particularly those involved in TNCC 30x30 Biodiversity Initiative and the Project for Permanence, in coordination and supporting the key strategic areas of the TNC Kenya program. The position will report to the Kenya Program Director, and will be based at the TNC Kenya office, at the TNC Regional Offices in Nairobi. No relocation assistance shall be provided.  

The main responsibilities:

• Provide advice and work with government on key policy issues, engage in relevant negotiations, and coordinate the TNC Kenya program efforts to enhance implementation of the Kenya Convention of Biodiversity (CBD) conservation goals, in line with TNC  2030 goals.
• Work in liaison with government and key stakeholders to support the development of innovative solutions for improved domestication and implementation of the national conservation goals in line with international Conventions and treaties.
• Provide advice and technical support to the Kenya government to develop a roadmap for implementation of the global 30x30 target that is ecologically viable and socially just.
• Provide technical support to the Kenyan government to monitor and report on national conservation goals and targets.
• Liaise with TNC global science teams, to provide technical support to the Kenya government and other key stakeholders to collate the best available scientific evidence to inform national conservation policies.
• Liaise with the TNC global policy teams to provide technical support to government on messaging and other communication materials to support advocacy efforts on government obligations and benefits from the adoption of the CBD Global Biodiversity Framework.
• Convene and mobilize stakeholders for actions including with a view to raise awareness on the CBD 30x30 goal for Kenya.
• Provide policy and advocacy support to the National CBD technical task force, on relevant matters in support of the TNC 2030 goals, including the protection of sites for wildlife through community-based conservancies and the delivery of the global 30x30 target.
• Work closely with the TNC 30x30 Biodiversity Initiative and the Project Finance for Permanence teams to coordinate policy and advocacy actions to deliver these programs nationally.
• Develop partnerships and engage in collaborative dialogues with relevant stakeholders, to support implementation of national conservation goals, particularly the global 30x30 target.
• Manage and ensure that workplans and budgets to support government and other key stakeholders are tracked to ensure alignment to TNC’s Kenya program strategy
• Establish and maintain optimal standards of performance for the program, drafting and negotiating contracts, managing costs and administering budgets, building cooperation from outside parties to accomplish program goals and ensure accurate reporting, while ensuring program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
• Convene stakeholder meetings to deliberate on program goals and conservation commitments, support technical trainings and workshops with government agencies and ministries, and other relevant stakeholders towards achieving Kenya’s CBD 30x30 goals.
• Coordinates activities with the government and other key stakeholders to streamline and inform policies to advance Kenya’s CBD commitments.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances in Conducting site visits to conservation areas.

MIMINUM QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS degree and 5 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans.
• Experience in conservation or related project management
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, environmental policy, land management, and natural resource preservation in Kenya.
• Knowledge on international conservation, environmental treaties and conventions and their domestication.
• Knowledge of community-based natural resource management principles and the legislative provisions that facilitate a co-management approach in Kenya
• Knowledge in Swahili and other local languages in Kenya.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and   government agencies 
• Experience managing relationships with government in line with multilateral Environmental Agreements and projects, including deliverables and finances under deadlines.
• Experience in grant / resources acquisition, management, monitoring, and reporting.
• Experience in negotiating.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated including Swahili and other local languages in Kenya.
• Over 7 years’ experience in conservation practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in relevant wildlife conservation international treaties, conventions, sectoral policies, discipline(s) and cross boundary regional conservation legislative practices.
• 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 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, we impact conservation throughout the world!

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, Retirement Pension Stipend, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work wellbeing benefits. Learn more about our benefits at in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellbeing, and flexibility needs of the people we employ!

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 cultures. 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 orientations, gender identities, 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.