Operations Program Assistant

Cape Town, South Africa

This role will be based in our Cape Town Office, Steenberg Office Park

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 South Africa program is one of TNCs newest country programs on the African Continent. Our goal is protecting the rich biodiversity for current and future generations, supporting government in mitigating climate change and building resilient communities. The Greater Cape Town Water Fund (GCTWF) – currently a TNC led initiative – is a leader in developing and implementing strategies to restore catchments, aquatic habitats and systems, address the impacts invasive species and climate change, and build local specialized capacity to work in remote mountainous areas. Informed by the GCTWF business case, the Water Fund activities are designed to avoid water losses as a result of catchment degradation caused by invasive plants, wetland and riparian degradation and unsustainable land management practices. The GCTWF reached the Creation phase – see water fund life cycle – whereby the GCTWF is to be established as an independent legal entity.
 

The Operations Program Assistant will work as part of a team within Greater Cape town Water Fund coordinating tasks related to one or more functional activities, such as operations support, procurement, meetings management, special events, training, volunteer programs, etc. The Program Assistant will work towards meeting the strategic priorities of the program by implementing tactics for approved plans and completing day-to-day tasks and activities. They may be responsible for planning and execution of logistics for special events and/or meetings, purchasing, central filing, mailroom operations. and procedures. This position requires travel and working long, and flexible hours as needed.

The Operations Program Assistant will work as part of a team within the Greater Cape town WaterFund Program, coordinating tasks related to one or more functional activities, such as operations support, minute taking, procurement, meeting management, special events, training, and supporting the GCTWF with administrative tasks.
Perform specific administrative support in the day-to-day decisions within the scope of work assignments and prioritize work independently.
• Work closely with GCTWF manager to update expenditure against budget and deliverable tracking.
• Procurement of equipment, catering or other services required within the GCTWF.
• Accurate tracking and documentation for Invoice Payment processing for the Water Fund.
• Setting up and updating contract management systems with associated supporting documents using software such as smartsheet.
• Updating and improving effectivity of tracking donor deliverables and expenditure as contracts are executed and according to the specifications of each funder.
• Central filing and documentation of all invoices, contracts, compliance documents, deliverables, and reports are kept up to date, and appropriately archived.
• Establishing a coordination system for service providers or visitors that require use of helicopter flights.
• Identify routine problems and utilize existing resources for resolution, referring relevant questions and issues to the supervisor.
• Responsible to take minutes for internal and external meetings, including getting relevant approval of minutes, and timeously sending the minutes and following up on action items.
• Establish and maintain a landowner and stakeholder database and associated filing of relevant agreements and correspondence.
Coordinate any events related to the GCTWF.
• Coordinate accommodation and travel for GCTWF as required

Bachelor’s degree and 2 years related experience or equivalent combination.
• Experience coordinating administrative processes.
• Experience generating reports and interpreting data.
• Experience in business writing, editing, and proofreading.
• Experience organizing time and managing diverse activities to meet deadlines.
Experience working across teams and communicating with a wide range of people.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• 5 years of experience working in an NGO in operations, administration, or programs support.
• Ability to analyze information for the purpose of coordinating and planning activities and solving problems.
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to use existing technology to achieve desired results.
• Excellent customer service skills and focus.
• Strong organization skills, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated experience handling confidential information.
• Demonstrated experience using diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships and motivate staff.
• Experienced in managing workplace occupational Health and Safety guidelines.
• Experience in logistics, facilities management, supervision, and general operations management.
• Experience interpreting guidelines to achieve desired results.
• Strong organization and negotiating skills, accuracy, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple tasks.
 

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, 401(k) plan 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.

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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.

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.