Director, Engagement and Efficiency Africa

Position description

Who We Are:

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.

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Director of Engagement and Efficiency serves as a key strategic advisor and counsel to the Africa Regional Managing Director (RMD).  They work in close partnership and in coordination with the Africa Leadership Team (ALT) to drive the execution of progress on key regional priorities, lead and manage projects with skill, and manage the Office of the Africa RMD and staff, ensuring effective and efficient operations, communication, and RMD engagement strategy. Through the Director’s work, they will enable the Executive Director to maintain an external role focused on fundraising, overall strategy, board of directors and key stakeholder engagement.  The jobholder will report to the RMD, and preferably be based in Nairobi, Kenya

Specific functions include:

•  Strategic support – Provide insight, analysis, and recommendations to assist the RMD in decision making. Plan and participate in important meetings and retreats; work closely with the RMD to develop and execute strategic initiatives, ensuring they align with TNC’s 2030 Goals and mission.

•  Operations management – Support RMD in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Africa Program, ensuring smooth functioning and efficient execution of plans. Ensure a focus on efficiency, effectiveness, and continuous improvement of operational processes to enable better and more transparent decision making and planning and improved staff well-being. Coordinate activities across different departments and streamline processes to avoid duplication of effort and inefficiencies.  Keep a pulse on the Africa Program, ensuring a good flow of communication between functions and assisting, as necessary, to connect the dots with others across the organization. 

• Relationship building – Develop and maintain strong relationships with leaders, and colleagues at all levels. Foster effective relationships to support RMD’s objectives and to promote regional interests. Actively support a culture of accountability for execution and results.
• Communication & Liaison – Disseminate ALT’s top priorities, ensuring outcomes and action steps are clearly communicated and tracked appropriately, ensuring that strategies and projects stay on track. Document and communicate decisions and action items from meetings and ensure follow-up and closure of action items. Act as the primary point of contact and liaison between RMD and the various stakeholders, internally and externally.  Represent RMD in internal meetings in his absence.

• Information management – Maintain a management reporting tool (dashboard) to track ALT member KPIs progress. Prepare and/or contribute to the preparation of reports, briefings, presentations, etc. for meetings and other priority issues involving the RMD. Ensure the RMD is properly briefed on strategic calendar events. Identify issues that impact the successful execution of plans, including elevating issues of which the RMD, and/or the Africa leadership should be aware, and framing ideas to solve the problem/mitigate the risk.
• Project management – Manage projects on behalf of the RMD.  Develop project plans, timelines, allocate resources and monitor progress to ensure successful completion.

• Team Management – Manage a small team of professional staff, including responsibility for training, professional development, establishing clear directions, setting “stretch” objectives, and overseeing the execution of day-to-day work. Help to facilitate teamwork and communication at all levels within TNC.

• Self-Management – Be humble and curious; lead with compassion, embrace the power of trust and maintain confidentiality on sensitive matters, and be kind! Have fun and bring joy to the work you do!
• Maximize opportunity to act independently and resolve complex issues.
• Desire and ability to travel periodically (5-10% of year) to support RMD or ALT priorities.

We’re Looking for You:

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!

What You’ll Bring:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 7 years relevant experience working as Director of Engagement & Efficiency, a Chief of Staff, Chief operations Officer, or similar role.

• Experience managing a multi-disciplinary team of professionals and staff including ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, and manage performance. 
• Experience conceiving and implementing strategic initiatives.
• Experience in and understanding of evolving trends in organizational development and team management.
• Experience in developing Regional/Program-wide strategies and policies.
• Experience in financial and budget management
• Experience presenting to diverse internal and external groups such as donors, partners, and internal audiences from different functions.
• Experience in communication and presentation skills.
• Project management experience.
• Experience proactively managing complex, high profile or sensitive initiatives. 
• Experience in working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders to achieve objectives in an inclusive way.
• Written and verbal fluency in English.
• Experience, effectiveness, and resiliency working in a fast-paced environment.
• Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience, especially related to Africa.

Qualifications

Desired experience

• Over 10 years of experience in senior management/ Chief of staff/ Director level leading strategy implementation and managing multidisciplinary teams in non-profit set up. 
• Delegates responsibility and authority to staff and clearly defines expectations.
• Proven track record of success in handling confidential information.
• Experience with meeting facilitation and management.
• Demonstrated systems thinker and possesses political acumen.
• Ability to foster an environment of creativity and professional growth.
• Well organized and self-directed. 
• Proven technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment, and strong operational focus. 
• Knowledge of current and evolving trends in conservation, government relations, fund raising and non-profit management.  

What We 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 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, retirement stipends 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.

Application instructions

How to Apply:

Please apply to Job 54806 at www.nature.org/careers or apply directly HERE. Submit the required cover letter and resume separately using the upload buttons. The position will remain open until filled and applications are reviewed in the order in which they are received.

Click “submit” to apply for the position or “save for later” to create a draft application for future submission. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited. Failure to complete the required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration. If you experience technical issues, please refer to our applicant user guide or contact [email protected].

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, colours, 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