Wetlands Conservation Specialist-(Multilingual based in Angola)

Luanda, Angola

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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.

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, governments, and the private sector across more than 22 million hectares on the continent. Our efforts are firmly rooted in people, leveraging scientific and technical expertise as we collaborate with key stakeholders to conserve and enhance Africa’s shared resources in the countries we operate. 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 stand to adversely impact the nearly 1.4 billion people that share Africa.

In Angola, The Nature Conservancy is working collaboratively to build and support an ambitious biodiversity conservation and climate mitigation agenda. TNC works across freshwater, ocean, and terrestrial ecosystems to protect and sustainably manage critical habitats for species, ecosystems, and climate 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 fosters the need for inclusive, equitable conservation that benefits nature and people

The Wetlands Conservation Specialist directs some or all aspects of protection, science, stewardship, and community relations for the wetland systems in the Okavango basin for the Okavango Program within the Africa Region of The Nature Conservancy. He/she serves as the principal contact on wetland and peatland conservation and science to government agencies, other conservation organizations, foundations, and the academic community in Angola and in the region. The Wetlands Conservation Specialist establishes the Conservancy as a major conservation partner within the area of responsibility, defines conservation priorities and long-term conservation strategies, builds strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field, and develops key partnerships with public and private organizations to identify and resolve technical issues and to widely communicate solutions and best practices. He/she will develop innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools, and frameworks to address the natural system needs, engage local community support for local conservation efforts, and negotiate complex and innovative solutions with government agencies and landowners to conserve and protect natural communities. The position may also contribute to other projects or programs within the freshwater strategy in the Okavango or elsewhere in Africa.

TNC seeks a Wetland Conservation Specialist to oversee all aspects of wetland and peatland conservation, stewardship, science, and community relations as part of TNC’s commitment to protecting the headwaters of the Okavango in Angola. The Wetland Conservation Specialist will be the principal manager of wetland conservation activities in the Upper Okavango. They will provide technical and management guidance and oversight to ensure wetland conservation at scale.

The Wetland Conservation Specialist will develop and work closely with key partnerships in Angola and the region. They will collaborate with a dynamic, international team of conservationists, scientists, and policy experts from the wider TNC community. The position will be based in the TNC office in Luanda, Angola. If needed, relocation assistance shall be provided. The Wetlands Conservation Specialist will report the Okavango Basin Program Director and will work collaboratively with other experts in Africa Business Unit and broader TNC team as necessary.

The Wetlands Conservation Specialist’s key roles and responsibilities include:

• Develop and implement wetlands and peatlands conservation activities in the Okavango Basin Program and in other TNC Africa geographies as needed.
• Coordinate and facilitate science activities that support wetlands and peatlands conservation in the Okavango Basin Program and in other TNC Africa geographies as needed.
• Supports the development of yearly budgets and work plans for wetland and peatlands conservation in Angola.
• Oversees monitoring of key deliverables, outputs, and outcomes as per the established work plans.
• Develop and manages key partnerships with public and private organizations from the conservation and environmental management sector.
• Facilitate coordination and collaboration among partners working on wetland and peatland conservation in Angola for effective and efficient implementation of activities.
• Contribute to the Africa Freshwater Protection Strategy as well as other Africa conservation strategies as needed. Negotiates complex and innovative solutions to advance wetland and peatland management and source water protection in Angola.
• Widely communicates solutions and best practices related to sustainable wetland conservation and management.
• Applies innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools, and frameworks to address sustainable wetland and peatland conservation needs and engage local community support for local conservation efforts.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and supervision to direct reports.
• Frequent travel domestically and/or internationally, evening and weekend hours. May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

• BA/BS degree and 5 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Understanding of wetland science and conservation practice.
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including staffing, workloads, and finances under deadlines.
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives, and managing performance.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or   government agencies 
• Experience negotiating.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in conservation science or related field with demonstrated experience working in tropical wetlands and/or peatland systems.
• Over years’ experience in conservation practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience influencing, developing, and implementing conservation policy and plans.
• Knowledge of application of remote sensing and geospatial tools/analysis.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and regions.
• Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives or related field.
• Ability to communicate clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means.
• Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising. 
• Politically savvy.

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 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.

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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 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.