Africa Mangrove Forest Officer at Nature Conservancy | June 2024

OFFICE LOCATION

Mombasa, Kenya

The location for this position is Mombasa in Kenya.

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.”

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 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 9 countries in which 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 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 and habitat and biodiversity loss that stands to adversely impact the nearly 1.4 billion people that share Africa.

TNC Africa Oceans Strategy focuses on securing large-scale ocean protection by supporting effective marine spatial planning, sustainable fisheries, and community-led conservation approaches. Our work seeks to establish sustainable financing to enable conservation outcomes at large marine ecosystem scale, by supporting policy and regulatory frameworks, as well as local capacity, with emphasis on linking science and communities to habitats protection, restoration, and management. Our aim is also to restore and conserve degraded blue carbon ecosystems (mangroves, seagrass meadows and salt marshes) and to promote best practices to scale. TNC Africa Oceans Strategy focus geographies include Seychelles, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Gabon, Namibia, Angola, Ghana, and Mauritius.  

As part of Africa Climate Strategy, TNC is investing in natural climate solutions that deliver emissions reductions and help local communities adapt to the impact of climate change. TNC is also advancing applied Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) science and supporting the scale-up and implementation of NCS projects while building on TNC’s long history of field-based conservation.

WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER

The Mangrove Forest Officer supports the design and implementation of mangrove restoration and conservation projects in TNC Africa Ocean Strategy Countries. They employ a range of conservation strategies and tools to ensure sustainable management of mangrove forests and associated ecosystems. They address critical threats to natural systems through experience working on real-world mangrove conservation and restoration projects in remote locations with coastal communities and partners. They lead the ongoing mangrove forest projects while coordinating closely with the TNC team, and local and international partners. They provide technical support on mangrove ecology, blue carbon project development, restoration and sustainable management practices, all while liaising with counterparts within TNC to provide, extract lessons and experiences, and coordinate joint practice approaches.  They will collaborate with the climate strategy team on climate resilience, climate adaptation, NCS, climate mitigation, and climate metrics to support mangrove conservation and restoration efforts. They support the development of innovative funding mechanisms for the restoration and protection of mangrove ecosystems. They support the mobilization of national, regional, and global communities of practice to amplify best practices while leveraging policy opportunities to accelerate conservation and restoration at a scale above and beyond isolated initiatives.

WE’RE LOOKING FOR YOU

The Mangrove Forest Officer will work closely with TNC’s Africa Ocean Strategy Team, Africa Climate Strategy Team, and other TNC staff as appropriate. The position reports to the Africa Fisheries Strategy Manager, collaborating closely with the East Africa Forestry Specialist. The location for this position is Mombasa in Kenya. No relocation or visa sponsorship or assistance is being offered with this position except for local labour employment requirements. This is an initial 2-year term-limited position with an extension of tenure subject to performance and availability of funds.

We’re looking for a passionate and motivated problem-solver. Our team in Africa is dedicated to creatively and innovatively resolve issues related to protecting coastal wetlands, oceans, and climate change. Come join us!

The responsibilities and scope for this position are:

• Implement the strategic plans for the conservation, restoration, and management of mangrove forest ecosystems in TNC target countries in the Africa program.
• Identify regional sites and support the development of blue carbon offset and resilient credit projects to generate sustainable conservation finance, protect biodiversity, and create socio-economic incentives in target countries and sites. 
• Undertake the mapping of mangrove forest distribution, restoration potential and estimation of their carbon value as an NCS, taking accountability for the development of mangrove conservation and restoration projects based on scientific criteria and local community input.
• Support the implementation of NCS research, including impact analysis, co-benefits assessment, and analysis of nature-based climate change mitigation potential with focus on blue carbon ecosystems.
• Develop and implement training programs on mangrove restoration and conservation best practices for TNC staff, partners, and local communities.
• Engage with policymakers and relevant stakeholders to advocate for and develop policies that support the conservation and sustainable management of mangrove forest ecosystems.
• Advance strategic partnerships and networks with relevant agencies, including local communities, academic partners, private sector, and national and international conservation organisations, to create an enabling environment for upscaling mangrove conservation and restoration. 
• Support impact assessment of the mangrove conservation and restoration initiatives for adaptive management.
• Ensure program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
• May supervise volunteers, interns, contractors, or temporary staff.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, in hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

•     BA/BS degree in forestry, environmental science, climate, environmental engineering, natural resource management, Law, or related field and 5 years’ experience in natural resource management or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
•     Experience negotiating complex agreements.
•     Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in writing and verbally.
•     Supervisory experience, supervising interns, contractors or temporally staff.
•     Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in spoken and written English.
•     Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Web Browsers.
•     Experience with principles of land acquisition and land use in Kenya including legal rights.
•     Experience in training and curriculum design.

Desired Qualifications

•     Multi-language skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.  Fluency in Swahili is an added advantage.
•     Over 7 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education/experience with a strong focus on Mangrove ecology.
•     Track record of research and publications in reputable scientific journals related to mangrove ecology or the relevant domain.
•     Experience with statistical analysis and/or remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems.
•     Proven experience with mangrove ecology and mangrove conservation and restoration.
•     Familiarity with issues related to nature-based solutions to climate change.
•     Experience collecting, manipulating, analysing, and interpreting scientific data and preparing reports of findings.
•     Experience working with local communities, partners, government agencies, and the private sector in Africa.
•     Demonstrated experience in blue carbon analysis, accounting, and/or expertise in developing Blue Carbon projects, especially in mangroves or other marine habitats.
•     Experience with Measures, Evaluation, and Learning constructs and implementation.
•     Experience building and maintaining strategic partnerships with diverse stakeholders.
•     Experienced in project management skills to support the development and implementation of workplans, grants, contracts, and project budgets.
•     Demonstrated capacity in taking initiative and working independently or with minimal oversight.
•     Willingness and ability to undertake extended periods of field travel (at least 40%) domestically and internationally.

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, flexible spending accounts, Retirement Pension Stipend, 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

SALARY INFORMATION

For Internal Reporting:

Job Title: Africa Mangrove Forest Specialist

Job Family: Conservation

Internal Job Code: 450005

Salary Grade: 6

Status: 2-Year Term-limited contract

PeopleSoft Job ID Number:

Date: June 2024

To apply for job ID 55279, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

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 applyhelp@tnc.org 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.