Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. 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. 

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The East Africa Forestry Specialist will be a member of TNC’s Tackle Climate Change team in Africa helping deliver on the Conservancy’s Natural Climate Solution goals. The position will work closely with other teams, including the Africa Forest Carbon Catalyst Director, Africa REDD+ Specialist and Director in charge of Tackle Climate Change priority. The position will provide technical and scientific support including the development of scientific tools, stewardship, and community relations within the Africa program. The East Africa forestry specialist will serve as the principle contact to some government agencies in the region, other conservation organizations, foundations and the academic community. 

East Africa Forestry Specialist establishes the Conservancy as a major conservation partner within the area of responsibility, defines conservation priorities and long-term conservation strategies, builds strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field and develops key partnerships with public and private organizations to identify and resolve technical issues and widely communicate solutions and best practices. They develop innovative scientific methods, analysis, tools and frameworks to address the natural system needs, engage local community support for local conservation efforts, and negotiate complex and innovative solutions with government agencies and landowners to conserve and protect natural communities

• Responsible for establishing and maintaining key relationships with key external partners in the Africa forestry program to define conservation strategies; especially on ground demonstration projects with partners.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining environmental and social management system for Africa forestry work, including development of monitoring & evaluation plans and refining environmental & social impact frameworks.  
• Oversee delivery and generation of key knowledge products to enhance forest conservation and restoration work
• Participate and contribute to regional and national technical forestry discourse such as forest policy development, AFR100, Evergreen Alliance among others.  
• Serve as the technical advisor to partners and TNC programs in Africa on matters related to technical forestry best practice while promoting compliance with host country’s national standards and other applicable international forestry standards. These includes managing Bamboo 4 Kenya program, Plant A billion Tree Campaign amongst other programs.
• Works closely with Africa Tackle Climate Change Team and philanthropy staff to leverage key donor engagement and support.
• Manage multi-disciplinary administrative and professional staff, with responsibility for performance management, training and career development.
• Carrying out project management duties such as managing consultants, negotiates contracts with vendors, and work planning  
• Responsible for drafting annual program budget estimates and coordinating implementation expenditure to ensure compliance with donor requirements
• Participate in fundraising activities to ensure that public and private funds are raised to meet program needs.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Frequently makes independent decision based on analysis, experience, and context.

• BA/BS degree and 5 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including staffing, workloads and finances under deadlines.
• Experience supervising; including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or   government agencies  
• Experience negotiating.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• 5-7 years’ experience in conservation practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and regions.
• Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives or related field.
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising.  
• Politically savvy.