Lake Tanganyika Conservation Assistant at Nature Conservancy | July 2024

Kipili, Nkasi District

 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 include 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 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, habitat and biodiversity loss that stands to adversely impact the nearly 1.4 billion people that share Africa.

The Lake Tanganyika Program is a lake-wide program which aims, by 2030, to conserve at least 30% of the Lake’s freshwater Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) and other critical biodiversity habitats, while contributing to improved fisheries and economic development for coastal communities. This ambitious goal will be achieved through approaches such as supporting strong co-management institutions that empower communities to sustainably manage their fisheries resources, supporting fisheries co-management policies and incentives at the national level, advancing community-led freshwater protection, and strengthening the role of the Lake Tanganyika Authority (LTA) to foster regional cooperation.

The Lake Tanganyika Conservation Assistant will support the implementation of conservation initiatives and coordinate field activities related to fisheries co-management and biodiversity protection as part of the Lake Tanganyika Program in Nkasi District. The role involves assisting in the promotion of sustainable fishing practices, integrating regenerative economies practices, contributing to the conservation of aquatic biodiversity, and supporting the local communities in the sustainable use of fisheries resources and alternative livelihoods development. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the conservation of Lake Tanganyika’s unique aquatic biodiversity and support the sustainable development of local communities.

In this role, the Conservation assistant will support implementation of planned activities aimed at sustaining Co-Management Institutions (Beach Management Units-BMUs and Collaborative Fisheries Management Areas-CFMAs) and raising community awareness and increasing stakeholders’ involvement in protection and management of community designated fish reserves (Fish breeding areas and temporarily closed areas). This position will be based in Kipili, Nkasi District and reporting to the Lake Tanganyika Freshwater Program Manager.

By joining our Lake Tanganyika Freshwater team, you will become part of a group that is a force to be reckoned with, a force for nature, a force for people, and a force for our planet. Our team consists of a dedicated group who are leading the conservation effort on multiple fronts and who expertly bring strategy and action together.

We’re looking for an individual with fisheries, ecology, environmental sciences, natural resources management, entrepreneurship, rural development or related experience who wants to make a difference for nature and people. This is an exceptional career opportunity for a highly motivated, capable individual interested in joining the world’s leading conservation organization!

The main roles and responsibilities include, but not limited to, the following:

• Assist the Lake Tanganyika core team in the development and implementation of conservation plans and strategies for the sustainable co-management of fisheries in and around Kipili islands and other critical biodiversity habitats, including regenerative economies practices enhancing community livelihoods.
• Collaborate with the MEL specialist to support monitoring activities, including data collection on fish populations, habitats, and environmental and socio-economic factors affecting the lake’s ecosystem.
• Help organize and conduct community outreach and education programs to raise awareness about sustainable fishing, regenerative economies and conservation practices;
• Support planning, development and implementation by BMUs and CFMAs of fisheries management plans and bylaws.

• Work with CFMA cooperatives and BMU Community Conservation Banks (COCOBA) to promote and improve place-based economic opportunities that strengthen the fisheries value chain and reduce fishing pressure on the lake;
• Provide capacity-building efforts in local communities, including fisheries value chains and regenerative economies practices
• Help compile and organize data for analysis and reporting purposes;
• Contribute to the preparation of reports, presentations, and informational materials for various stakeholders;
• Provide administrative support to the conservation team, including scheduling meetings, recording minutes, and managing correspondence for activities conducted in the field.

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years’ experience in fisheries, ecology, environmental sciences, natural resources management, entrepreneurship, rural development or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in community engagement and supporting local economic development.
• Experience developing and implementing strategies that integrate economic development with environmental sustainability.
• Experience in community engagement and stakeholders management
• Experience in completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s)
• Experience with communication via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and Swahili.
• Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• At least a bachelor’s degree in fisheries, biology, ecology, environmental sciences, natural resources management or related field. A master’s degree is an advantage.
• Advanced knowledge of fisheries biology, aquatic ecosystems, and conservation principles.
• Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• 3-5 years’ experience in fisheries, ecology, biology, environmental sciences, natural resources management, entrepreneurship, rural development or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of regenerative economies practices and their application in community settings.
• Experience in community engagement and educational outreach is desirable.
• Good organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Proficiency in Swahili and English is required.
• Computer literacy, including familiarity with word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software.
• Ability to complete tasks independently within assigned time frames.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, with assignments sometimes coming from a number of sources and work independently.
• Strong administrative skills including attention to detail and numerical ability.

• Ability to plan, administer and record results of work-team meetings and activities.

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into 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 and partners, we impact conservation around the world! 

TNC offers competitive and comprehensive benefits packages tailored to the individual countries where we work. These may include health care benefits, retirement benefits, parental leave, paid time off, life insurance, and disability coverage as well as an employee assistance program and other life and well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers. 

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports the health and well-being of the people we employ.

To apply for job ID 55371, 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.