Lake Tanganyika Fisheries and Biodiversity Lead at Nature Conservancy | June 2024

Africa

The Position shall be based in either Kigoma or Mpanda, Tanzania

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 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 Fisheries and Biodiversity Lead is responsible for the development and collaborative implementation of strategies related to fisheries co-management and freshwater biodiversity protection in Lake Tanganyika. Under the supervision of the Lake Tanganyika Program Manager, they coordinate with a wide variety of TNC staff and partners under the Lake Tanganyika Program, including government and intergovernmental institutions, non-governmental organizations, and community leaders in support of achieving Lake Tanganyika freshwater conservation goals. They will provide capacity-building to community groups and NGOs on the lake to advance fisheries management and freshwater biodiversity conservation initiatives. They coordinate fisheries resource management and biodiversity conservation actions with the Lake Tanganyika riparian countries and build a coalition of partners to sustainably manage and monitor Lake Tanganyika’s unique freshwater for the decades to come.

Have you ever asked yourself, “How can I make a difference?”, but you don’t know where to go or have the time to do it? Welcome to The Nature Conservancy. You have found the solution and now you can pointedly make a difference every day! By joining our Lake Tanganyika 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 management and/or conservation experience who wants to make a difference for nature and people. The Lake Tanganyika Fisheries and Biodiversity Lead has a strong background in fisheries science, aquatic ecology, and/or conservation biology, with a proven track record in leading multidisciplinary teams and engaging with local communities and other stakeholders. Based in either Kigoma or Mpanda, Tanzania, the Lake Tanganyika Fisheries and Biodiversity Lead will work closely with TNC staff in Tanzania, including the Fisheries Manager working on Lake Tanganyika around the Greater Mahale Ecosystem, as well as the Fisheries Manager working around the Kipili Archipelago and Kala. The Lake Tanganyika Fisheries and Biodiversity Lead will report to the Lake Tanganyika Program Manager, and will frequently engage with core partners in Zambia, Burundi and Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Fisheries and Biodiversity Lead will be guided by The Nature Conservancy’s Africa Region and Global strategies, as well as interconnections with key conservation and sustainable development stakeholders in the basin and on the continent. The position may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

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

• Support development and implementation of strategies for sustainable fisheries co-management and biodiversity conservation in Lake Tanganyika Basin.
• Lead the design and support the execution of scientific research and monitoring programs to assess the health of fish stocks and freshwater ecosystems.
• Collaborate with local communities, government agencies, and other stakeholders to promote and establish effective fisheries co-management practices and policies.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance on freshwater biodiversity and critical habitat protection, and climate resilience/adaptation of fishing communities.
• Analyze data and prepare technical reports, scientific papers, and policy briefs to inform decision-making and best practices.
• Mentor and build capacity among local staff and partners in fisheries co-management and critical biodiversity habitats protection mechanisms and techniques.
• Represent the Lake Tanganyika Program in regional, national, and international forums, meetings, and events related to fisheries and biodiversity conservation.
• Work closely with the Lake Tanganyika Program Manager to align program activities with broader conservation goals and objectives

What You’ll Bring:

• BA/BS degree in fisheries science, aquatic ecology, natural resources management, and conservation biology or another related field of study and at least 5 years’ experience in freshwater/marine conservation, fisheries co-management or related field.
• Experience working with and advising on current trends and practices in freshwater fisheries and biodiversity protection especially in an African context.
• Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting, and achieving objectives and managing performance.
• Experience in partnership development with government and intergovernmental institutions, non-profit partners, private sector, community groups and/or government agencies.
• Experience working with communities and actors at local/community level on fisheries co-management and biodiversity protection.
• Strong knowledge of the ecological, social, and economic issues surrounding freshwater ecosystems and fisheries in the Lake Tanganyika Basin.
• Fluency in English and Swahili is required.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Fluency in French is an added benefit.
• Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Knowledge of current trends and strategies and practices in fisheries co-management and
• freshwater biodiversity conservation.
• Master’s degree in fisheries science, aquatic ecology, conservation biology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in fisheries co-management, freshwater biodiversity protection, and monitoring.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and partners.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with
• community members, government officials, and scientists.
• Proficiency in data analysis, GIS, and statistical software relevant to fisheries and ecological
• research.
• Willingness to travel frequently within the Lake Tanganyika region and occasionally beyond.
• Experience negotiating.

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.

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.

To apply for job ID 55287, 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.