Organisation : The Nature Conservancy Australia
Location : Australia, Work from home jobs and Hybrid jobs (Melbourne, Canberra or Sydney - other locations can be considered)
Work type : Full-time
Profession : Program Coordination & Management
Sector : Conservation & Environment
Salary type : Annual Package
Application closing date : 23 Jul, 2023
About the organisation
The Company
Founded in 1951, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global conservation organisation dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, they create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together.
TNC first commenced operations in Australia in 2002. Since that time TNC Australia has grown significantly and now conducts projects in all mainland Australian states and territories. Their work focuses on three main biogeographical zones; the Outback (including work with many Indigenous Traditional Owner groups supporting their efforts to manage their country for its cultural and conservation values); Oceans (including an extensive shellfish reef building program across the bays and estuaries of southern Australia), and the Southern Murray-Darling Basin (including innovative water funds).
About the role
The Protect Program Director is responsible for driving accountability and growth of the Australian Protect Program and advising on conservation priorities and strategy execution for 30×30 protection outcomes across Australia.
The Protect Program Director reports to the Director of Conservation at TNC Australia.
Essential Functions
The Protect Program Director oversees all aspects of planning, science, establishment, stewardship and community relations relating to protection for TNC Australia. They provide leadership and support for TNC’s conservation planning work and establish overall Protect priorities. The Protect Program Director serves as a key contact to government agencies, other conservation organisations, foundations and the academic community.
They uphold TNC Australia’s position and reputation as a major conservation partner in Australia, lead a team to achieve set protection outcomes and builds strategic, scientific, and technical capacity for advancing the protected area estate in Australia.
The Protect Program Director develops key partnerships with public and private organisations to promote enduring protection strategies, identify and resolve technical issues and to widely communicate solutions and best practices. They develop innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools, and frameworks to address the challenges in achieving 30×30 protection outcomes in Australia.
The Director negotiates complex and innovative deals with philanthropic organisations, governments, and landowners to conserve and protect areas of high conservation value across Australia. They will work closely with partners in Australia, the Asia-Pacific Region and global teams to advance 30×30 protection outcomes across Australia. They will manage local, regional, and (at times) global input into policy, development, and protected area activities, in conjunction with TNC Australia’s policy team.
Some travel domestically and/or internationally, evening and weekend hours (on occasion), will be required.
Responsibilities and Scope
- Sets and executes the implementation of the 30×30 protection strategy with protection policy and activities over land, freshwater and oceans and public, private and Indigenous tenures with willing partners, governments, landholders and communities.
- Participates as an active member of TNC Australia’s conservation leadership team.
- Supervises Protect team members across Australia, including remote locations and implements mentoring and professional growth opportunities for staff.
- Establishes and maintains optimal performance standards within Australian budgets.
- Identifies new business opportunities and promotes TNC as a global leader in protection programs.
- Supports government and philanthropic fundraising opportunities across Australia.
- Writes requests for proposal (RFPs) for grant/contract funding for the program.
- Frequently makes independently strategic decisions based on analysis, ambiguous information and context.
- Work with partners and project managers to implement conservation strategies and projects.
- Track and analyse progress to ensure strategic goals and objectives are met and metrics of success and accountability are captured and reported.
Minimum Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of seven years’ experience in conservation practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 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.
- Senior level supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
- Good knowledge of protection strategies at a state and national level.
- Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
- Experience negotiating multiparty agreements.
Desired Qualifications and Experience
- Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and regions.
- Ability to develop practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
- Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives or related field.
- Politically savvy.
Additional information
The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including; subsidised private health insurance, superannuation, an employee savings plan including employer match, accrued paid time off (including annual, long-service and personal leave entitlements), life insurance, disability coverage, Employee Assistance Program, other life, and work wellness benefits.
Benefits may be subject to generally applicable eligibility, waiting period, contribution, and other requirements and conditions. Learn more about TNC’s employee benefits at www.nature.org/careers. TNC is proud to offer a work environment that is supportive of the health wellness, and flexibility needs of the people they employ.
Travel and location
- Readiness and ability to travel nationally, approximately 30% of working time, with occasional international travel (when possible).
- Melbourne, Canberra or Sydney – other locations can be considered.
How to apply
How to Apply
Apply now by submitting your current CV (in Word format), via Talent Nation's online application process. The closing date for this role is 5pm on Sunday the 23rd July. For further information about the role please contact Claire via claire@talentnation.com.au
Only applicants who are currently eligible to work in Australia will be considered. The Nature Conservancy will not provide support for working visas or residency for this position.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Its commitment to diversity includes the recognition that its 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 organisation that reflects its global character is a priority and they encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colours, 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 the job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to claire@talentnation.com.au with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.
Please quote in application: Protect Program Director via Pro Bono Australia.
Sector: #Conservation_and_Environment