Lake Tanganyika Sustainable Development and Aquaculture Specialist at Nature Conservancy | June 2024

Kigoma, 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 Sustainable Development and Aquaculture Specialist supports the Lake Tanganyika Program on planning and implementation of various initiatives focused on the emerging aquaculture industry and other freshwater-related economic development in the Lake Tanganyika basin. The priority is supporting sustainable development on Lake Tanganyika, including engaging with aquaculture and other freshwater-related projects such as ports, energy generation or water supply/treatment facilities.  The Specialist will do this by focusing on advancing appropriate economic incentives, sound science, and environmental/social safeguards to ensure negative environmental and social impacts are avoided or at least mitigated.

The position will work closely with TNC’s Africa Freshwater Team, the Global Aquaculture Team, and other TNC staff as appropriate, and in partnership as appropriate with aquaculture operators, fishers, local community leaders, government, and non-government partners. Reporting to the Lake Tanganyika Freshwater Program Manager, the position will be based in Kigoma, Tanzania at TNC’s office. This is an initial 2-year term limited position with an extension of tenure subject to performance and availability of funds.

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 aquaculture, environmental science, environmental management or related experience who wants to make a difference for nature and people. The Lake Tanganyika Sustainable Development and Aquaculture Specialist will play a pivotal role in advancing sustainable aquaculture practices and promoting the conservation of Lake Tanganyika’s unique freshwater ecosystem. 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:

• Support development and promotion of Lake Tanganyika-wide sustainable aquaculture guidelines and best practices.
• Work with riparian governments and regional management bodies to ratify and utilize Lake Tanganyika-wide aquaculture protocols.
• Advocate for regional and national policies that support sustainable development and conservation on Lake Tanganyika
• Collaborate with regional and national policymakers to develop and implement strategies for sustainable management of aquaculture in the Lake Tanganyika Basin
• Work with academics, research institutes, and other mandated institutions to conduct advanced aquaculture site suitability mapping, aquaculture site assessment, and environmental/socioeconomic monitoring of aquaculture initiatives ensuring compliance with environmental standards, aquaculture guidelines and protocols and regulations.
• Track emerging issues of fisheries and freshwater-related development projects and help mitigate risks to ensure biodiversity and fisheries threats are managed.
• Proactively engage with private sector, riparian governments, and Lake Tanganyika Authority to assist with siting and design standards of compatible freshwater-related development projects.
• Assist the Lake Tanganyika Program develop collaborations and partnership with riparian governments, regional management bodies, the private sector, and other non-governmental organizations.
• Expand our ongoing partnerships on the ground and help with capacity building efforts in local communities, including fisheries value chains.
• Support and advocate for scientific research on impacts of aquaculture on Key Biodiversity Areas and other critical habitat areas.
• Represent the Lake Tanganyika Program in meetings, forums and advisory panels related to freshwater conservation, sustainable development, and aquaculture management.

• Bachelor’s degree in fisheries sciences, business, finance, aquaculture, political science, public policy, international relations, international development or related field and 5 years related experience, or equivalent combination.
• Experience leading complex projects or strategic initiatives in an unstructured environment.
• Experience researching, critically analyzing, and evaluating information from divergent sources and compiling it into cohesive reports and recommendations for strategy and action.
• Experience writing and editing promotional and informational material.
• Familiarity and knowledge related to business, governmental, and/or environmental policy and practices pertaining to the global strategy area of focus.
• Fluency in English.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated, fluency in French and/or Swahili is an added benefit.
• Master’s degree in in fisheries sciences, business, finance, aquaculture, political science, public policy, international relations, international development or related field and 5 years related experience, or equivalent combination. PhD is preferred.
• Critical analytical thinking and excellent English writing skills.
• Ability to develop and drive new ideas and approaches.
• Ability to work in a multicultural and multidisciplinary context. 
• Ability to work well in a highly matrixed, decentralized and collaborative organization.   Possesses strong interpersonal skills and political savvy.  Must be a team player.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet time sensitive deadlines.
• NGO and/or corporate relations experience.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with community members, government officials, and scientists.
• Experience managing multiple complex projects.

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 55302, 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.