Marine Program Intern (Tanzania) – 2 Positions at Nature Conservancy | April 2024

The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube   to hear stories from staff or visit  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.

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 habitat protection, restoration, and management. TNC’s work on fisheries aims to safeguard productive marine fisheries for ecosystem health and as important foundation for food and livelihood security. Our vision is for aquaculture to grow with the least environmental impact. TNC has established partnerships with several non-government and government agencies to support fisheries and coastal community-led conservation throughout Africa. Our aim is also to conserve and restore lost or degraded coastal wetlands (seagrass meadows, mangroves, and salt marshes) and to promote best practices to scale beyond the capacity of TNC, including scaling through Global Partnerships such as Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA). The current geographic focus of TNC Africa Oceans Strategy is Seychelles, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Gabon, Namibia and Angola. The focus of these Positions is coastal Tanzania with most functions in the Zanzibar Islands and Tanga on the mainland coast.

The Marine Program Intern will support the coordination and implementation of coastal and marine fisheries-related activities in Tanzania. The position is based in Dar Es Salam, Tanzania with 40% travel to Zanzibar Islands and the mainland coast of Tanga. The position involves working in partnership and close collaboration with fishers, local community, the fishing industry, the government, and non-government organizations to support the implementation of sustainable fisheries and coastal community-led conservation activities.

The Marine Program Intern will support stakeholders consultations, fisheries monitoring, executing learning exchanges, and fisheries value chain improvement activities, among others. They will also support upscaling the ongoing restorative seaweed aquaculture in Zanzibar Islands and mainland Tanzania. The positions fall within TNC’s Africa Ocean Strategy and will be based at the TNC Office in Dar Es Salam, Tanzania, reporting to the Aquaculture Specialist (Western Indian Ocean). No employment visas or assistance is being offered with these positions except for the local labour employment requirements. This Internship is for a specified period of six months from the date of engagement. 

• Work closely with the Aquaculture Specialist (WIO) and Marine Fisheries Specialist (Tanzania) to provide support on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture interventions to partners in Tanzania and beyond, as needed.
• Support implementation of partnership and capacity building on seaweed best farming practices including training, and follow-ups in Zanzibar Islands and mainland coast Tanzania.
• Provide support on strengthening seaweed community groups, organizations, and stakeholder engagement works with farmers, researchers, and supply chain actors to increase resiliency and sustainability of seaweed farming in the face of a changing climate.
• Support implementation of TNC’s electronic monitoring and commercialization interventions in Tanzania to advance sustainable fisheries management within the Exclusive Economic Zone.
• Support implementation of fisheries value chain improvement projects and other community-led enterprises that incentivize sustainable practices in target communities in coastal Tanzania.
• Support the implementation of gender integration activities in the context of community-led conservation and community development in coastal Tanzania.
• Work closely with the Reef Resilience Network to build capacity of local community, practitioners, coral reef managers, and scientists to support effective marine conservation, including reef restoration approaches and sharing of lessons in Tanzania.
• Support implementation of science-based management and monitoring for sustainable management of fisheries and coastal habitats in coastal Tanzania.
• Work with TNC staff and partners to support the planning and coordination of fieldwork, workshops, meetings, training and learning exchanges.
• Support fieldwork planning, site visits, stakeholders’ consultation meetings, capacity building, and reporting to facilitate the formation and strengthening of Shehia Fisher Committees and fisheries Beach Management Units in Zanzibar Islands and the mainland coast of Tanzania.
• May involve working in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

• All TNC interns must be at least 18 years of age prior to starting their internship program.
• Must be attached to a recognized institution of higher learning with duties relevant to their college courses undertaken.
• Adhere to TNCs Code of conduct and conflict of interest policy.
• Willing to travel and work in remote settings.
• Must provide required paperwork: (i) Proof of University/College registration (ii) Recommendation letter from University/College (iii) Application letter (iv) Curriculum vitae that include 3 references.            

Desired Qualifications

• BA/BS in natural science, fisheries, aquaculture, marine biology, and zoology or equivalent
• Fluent in English and Kiswahili
• Strong ability to use Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Strong data management and statistical skills.
• Demonstrate knowledge and some experience in marine science and conservation especially on mangrove forests.
• Past participation in community and/or professional meetings and trainings related to mangrove management and conservation. 

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 54985, 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.