Cape Town - South Africa

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.”

Established in 2017, The Nature Conservancy of South Africa, works with government, private sector, NGOs and local communities to protect, improve management and avoid degradation of priority landscapes, freshwater systems and oceans.

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.”

Established in 2017, The Nature Conservancy of South Africa, works with government, private sector, NGOs and local communities to protect, improve management and avoid degradation of priority landscapes, freshwater systems and oceans.

The Government Relations & Policy Advisor – South Africa will lead in the implementation of TNCs Policy & Government relations strategies in support of achievement of The Nature Conservancy’s conservation goals by serving as liaison and informational contact between The Nature Conservancy and country, provincial, and local government agencies, bi- and multi-lateral institutions.  The role will also serve as a subject matter expert and advisor on complex and strategic issues for the South Africa Program. Reporting to the South Africa Country Director, the position is based at the TNC office in Cape Town or Pretoria, South Africa, and will work closely with the Africa Program Director of Policy and Government Relations and Strategy leads.

They will support the South Africa Country Director engagements with government departments and local community structures. They will also support the government policy development process through advocacy and bringing technical skills to areas that require TNC’s input.

The Government Relations & Policy Advisor -

• Identify gaps in relevant policies, propose changes and supports government in the adoption and implementation of improved policies towards conservation and sustainable development.
• Design and implement strategies that engage with policy initiatives of the SA government in line with TNC’s Global and Africa External Affairs programmes and support the development of policies and programs that facilitate community-based conservation.
• Support government with the formulation, implementation, and monitoring of the outcomes of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) approved by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Dec 2022 and Paris Agreement climate outcomes arising from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process.
• Identify appropriate institutions and people to bring the TNC's perspectives into the policy development process helping government in achieving its regional and international biodiversity and climate change commitments.
• Develop relationships and builds trust between TNC and relevant government departments.
• Coordinate the Conservancy’s program on internationally negotiated agreements, legislative, administrative, and policies in SA.
• Represent The Nature Conservancy before special interest groups and engage key public and private officials with respect to programs funding and development of policy statements and broadly, to increase support for TNC’s mission.

Are you looking for a career to help people and nature? Guided by science, TNC creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together. We’re looking for someone who is passionate, motivated problem-solver. Come join TNC and apply today!

In this role you will:

• Apply diversified knowledge of best practices to lead TNC’s relations with the relevant government departments and agencies.
• Advance equitable conservation by applying best practices and policy development enhancing access to justice and information related to biodiversity by indigenous peoples and local communities.
• Work with partner organizations, including other NGOs and/or multilateral agencies to drive policy agenda in support of TNC’s work in South Africa.
• Co-develop strategies for and encourage the adoption of policies at the national level to help the country develop and meet commitments to targets under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
• Works with the Africa Region Development and External Relations teams and other partners to engage with public funding agencies in South Africa, such as international lending agencies, bilateral development groups, and private investors, to create understanding of and support for TNC South Africa’s priorities.
• Support program objectives by working in a complex matrix organization environment collaboratively within a cross-functional interdisciplinary team.
• Ensure that the South Africa program meets all relevant contractual and legal regulations, and standards.
• Write and share periodic activity reports with government agencies, NGOs and local community partners.
• Organize and facilitate field visits for government agencies and authorities, and other partners.
• Monitor political changes and governmental news, and press feeds.
• Liaise with Portfolio committees on environment.
• Prepare grant applications in collaboration with the Africa Regional External Relations and grants teams

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, environmental policy, management or other relevant field and 5 years of government relations or corporate sector experience, or equivalent combination education/experience. 
• Fluency in English
• Analytical and project management experience. Demonstrated experience in successfully developing and implementing complex projects in an unstructured environment.
• Experience developing, directing, and managing multiple projects and implementing strategic program goals.
• Experience in working with NGO partners, and government agencies
• Outstanding project management capabilities.
• Experience in government relations, environmental policy, and development assistance.
• Proven negotiation skills.
• Knowledge of priorities, trends, and requirements in development assistance, strategic partners, and the policy goals of governments and multi-laterals.
• Experience communicating and navigating the intricacy of the government system and protocol.
• Have political sensitivity and understand the political and governmental environment in South Africa.
• Proven communication and presentation skills; ability to persuasively convey the mission of TNC to diverse groups including key public policy decision-makers and other government officials, corporate executives, major donors, board members and others who are critical to the organization’s overall prosperity.
• Ability to work effectively in high-tension situations and maintaining composure under pressure
• Experience with writing grant proposals

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree with over 7 years of experience
• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural experience appreciated.
• Experience in policy development processes in South Africa
• Experience presenting to and communicating with management-level individuals within the corporate sector. 
• Excellent team player with experience working in multi-disciplinary groups, using influence and interpersonal skills, listening, diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships with governments, corporations, partners, donors, volunteers, and all levels of staff.
• Familiarity with social, economic, and political conditions and issues in the country (national and/or sub-national) and/or region.
• Experience coordinating projects in a decentralized organization, working across teams, operating units and functions to achieve optimal results. 
• Demonstrated ability to develop constructive and effective working relationships inside and outside the organization.

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, Pension 8 gratuity including employer match, 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!

This description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for this job.

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.

To apply for job ID 53455 , submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at . Need help applying? Visit our page or contact .

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.

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.