Gender and Education Officer

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.

One of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the 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. In Western Tanzania TNC is partnering with Pathfinder International (PI) to implement an integrated holistic Population - Health and Environment (PHE) program known as Tuungane to improve sustainable practise in fisheries, forest, farming, and families including women empowerment and gender integration.

The Gender and Education Officer will participate in advancing an integrated approach to population, health, and the environment in Western Tanzania and influence policy for the same at National level. They implement and support activities that strengthen the role and responsibilities and empower women and girls in the Tuungane program area whilst working closely with communities, partner organizations, CBOs and government entities. This position liaises with TNC’s regional and global gender staff and promotes activities that directly contribute to TNC’s 2030 Goals and Tuungane Gender goals 2027. The position will also support youth education for conservation and coordinate stakeholders on youth conservation education in Western Tanzania. The position may also help to raise funds by providing input for proposal writing and solicitation as needed.  The Gender and Education Officer will report to the Tuungane Program Director and will be based at The Nature Conservancy (TNC) office at Buhingu- Uvinza, Tanzania.

The Gender and Education Officer will lead conservation-gender related forums and collaborate with other organizations to influence the inclusion of gender in conservation outcomes and activities  in Western Tanzania.

Specifically, the role will:

• Serve as the gender focal point for the Tuungane program.
• Coordinate youth education, especially for girls, in conservation in Tuungane, West Tanzania.
• Will ensure that Tuungane community platforms such as Beach Management Units (BMUs), Collaborative Fisheries Management Associations (CFMA), Tree growers associations, Agricultural Market Cooperative (AMCOS), and Joint Forest Management (JFM) have at least 30% women members.
• Train Tuungane community platforms including Community Conservation Banks and First-Time parents in gender related matters.
• Lead and encourage women to run for the elected leadership positions of local natural resource management organizations.
• Elevate the Tuungane gender experience and link to sub-national and national gender work.
• Facilitate all people-related data collection are gender-disaggregated.
• Ensure that all Tuungane trainings include at least 30% women participants.
• Supervise children and youth natural resources management education at primary school and establish children/youth environmental clubs with at least 50% girls.
• Supervise girls’ education at Lagosa secondary school, to have improved sanitation facilities and coordinate the transformation of the School to a boarding school to be managed fully by the  Government without support from Tuungane.
• To ensure replication of the girl’s education and children environmental club model to other schools by partnering with government and other organizations.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations for long periods of time in isolated settings, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances. Requires considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain.

• Bachelor degree in either of education and  environment  or gender and development, or education with biological sciences, or similar field; and 4 years’ experience in community development and/or conservation education, or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Master’s degree in education or gender and or with natural resources management may be preferred.
• At least 4-6 years’ experience in community development and/or conservation education, or equivalent.
• Fluency in English and Kiswahili.
• Experience working on gender issues in Tanzania.
• Proven communications and presentation skills.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Experience working in a multi-cultural organization is appreciated.
• Experience presenting to and communicating with management-level individuals. 
• Excellent team player with experience working in multi-disciplinary groups, using influence and interpersonal skills, listening, diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships with governments.

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.