Chief of Party, Eastern Kafue Nature Alliance

Who We Are:

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organisation, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges to create a world where people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which include a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want better insight into TNC? 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 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 knowledge 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.”

Since establishing the Africa Programme 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 nine countries we operate.

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 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 stand to impact the 1.4 billion people that share Africa.

In Zambia, TNC’s work focuses on the Greater Kafue – West Lunga Mega-Landscape. This is Zambia’s largest contiguous conservation landscape, comprising a 10 million-hectare complex of state, community and private lands of exceptional biodiversity and climate resilience value. In this landscape, TNC is working with communities, government and diverse public and private stakeholders to strengthen rights and governance over natural resources, develop effective conservation management systems, support human wildlife co-existence, nature-based livelihoods and economic opportunities for the local communities that depend on it for their livelihoods and survival.

One key initiative which supports this strategy is a five-year $10m USAID-funded Global Development Alliance (GDA) project, the “Eastern Kafue Nature Alliance” (EKNA), which leverages private sector and conservation partner resources and expertise to achieve integrated and sustainable outcomes for biodiversity conservation, economic prosperity, sustainable agriculture, human well-being, and terrestrial and freshwater natural resource governance in the eastern sector of the Kafue Ecosystem. The project is focused on addressing threats to the landscape and delivering lasting outcomes for nature and people in and around Lunga Luswishi, Mumbwa, Namwala and Nkala GMAs.

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Chief of Party (CoP) oversees all aspects of a major multi-sectoral project encompassing a large, complex geography and a wide range of diverse stakeholders. They lead and manage the Eastern Kafue Nature Alliance project team and serves as the principal contact to external project stakeholders including USAID, private Alliance partners, other project partners, and public ministries. The CoP manages the relationship with USAID and is responsible for all performance, reporting, administration and compliance related to the project. They provide technical support to all components of the project and ensure that Kafue Eastern Kafue Nature Alliance project coordinates activities with other USAID funded projects that have complementarity with it, and with TNC Zambia’s wider conservation programme.

We’re Looking for You:

We’re looking for someone highly motivated and passionate about conservation, communities and tangible long-lasting impact to join the TNC Zambia team. As a senior position within the Zambia management team, this is an exciting opportunity for a collaborative, innovative individual to contribute to the country programme by building upon the successes of the EKNA project achieved in the first three years of its execution and laying the foundations for the long term outcomes of the project.

Reporting to the Zambia Country Director, the position will be based at the TNC offices in Lusaka, Zambia. This is a term-limited position, extending to the end of the project in September 2026.

Specifically, the Chief of Party:

• Provides technical leadership for and supervisory management of the large, complex and multi-sectoral USAID/Zambia-funded Kafue Eastern Kafue Nature Alliance Project
• Is responsible for project compliance, financial oversight, operations and quality assurance for all activities including budgeting and financial reporting
• Serves as the primary project liaison with USAID, communicates regularly with USAID and USAID funded activities and attend all USAID partner meetings
• Supervises the monitoring of key deliverables, outputs and outcomes as per Work Plans and grantee/contractor agreements.
• Cultivates and develops partnerships with key stakeholders including government agencies, the project’s private sector Alliance partners, implementing partners, collaborating partners and communities
• Manages and retains a high quality and effective multi-disciplinary staff with responsibility for performance management, training and career development and provides assistance to all levels of personnel on expertise related issues and requests.
• Manages all the project’s sub-agreements and contracts
• Prepares and submits annual work plans and quarterly and annual performance reports, and ensure progress towards program objectives, including through field visits
• Supervises and provides technical input into the project’s monitoring, evaluation, research and learning functions and supervises compliance with USAID MEL requirements including data quality assessments and data entry into USAID portals
• Provides robust technical input and support to all components of the project and the staff and partners responsible for them, ensuring the project achieves lasting outcomes and results
• Works closely with the other members of the TNC Zambia conservation team to ensure the seamless integration of the EKNA project into broader conservation objectives and contribution of the project to country goals.
• Makes independent strategic decisions frequently based on analysis, ambiguous information, experience and judgment.
• Works closely with the other members of the TNC Zambia and regional conservation teams to ensure the seamless integration of the EKNA project into broader conservation objectives and contribution of the project to country and regional goals.
• Is willing to undertake frequent travel domestically and evening and weekend hours and work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Make independent strategic decisions frequently based on analysis, ambiguous information, experience and judgment

What You’ll Bring:

Minimum Qualifications:

• BA/BSc degree or higher in a relevant field (business administration, agribusiness, agri financing, conservation practice, etc.),
• A minimum of ten years of relevant experience and progressively increasing management responsibility in international development projects on biodiversity conservation, conservation-oriented market and investment development and small and medium-sized agribusinesses programmes
• Prior experience with USAID operating procedures, regulations, and reporting requirements.
• Experience directing a major program or project of strategic importance, including management/supervision of multi-disciplinary teams, subcontracts and meeting deadlines.
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives, training and managing performance.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, private sector partners, community institutions at the provincial/district level, and government agencies.
• Politically savvy with extensive experience and influence in conservation-related policy dialogue
• Skills in facilitating, negotiating and conflict management in multi-stakeholder environments.
• Excellent report writing, analytical, and communication skills, including oral presentation skills, knowledge management, in English.
• Competence in computer skills (e.g. Excel, Word)

Desired Qualifications:

• MA/MSc/MBA degree in a relevant field
• Over 10 years’ experience leading and managing complex conservation or development programmes and multidisciplinary teams in Zambia or Sub-Saharan Africa, preferably as COP or Deputy COP under a USAID project.
• Experience working with current trends and practices in conservation and sustainable management of natural resources
• Experience in conservation-oriented market and investment development in partnership with private sector actors and platforms
• Understanding of biodiversity conservation in Zambian or Sub-Saharan African context, including the socio-economic aspects of conservation and sustainable financing for conservation.
• Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Ability to develop practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.

What We’ll Bring:

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 world’s most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff, we impact conservation worldwide!

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

We’re proud to offer a work environment that supports the health, well-being, 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, color, 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 [email protected] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.