| Description |
| | The Nature Conservancy is the world’s leading conservation organization, working in all 50 states and more than 33 countries. Founded in 1951, the mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. | | ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS | | The Conservation Practitioner V develops, manages and advances conservation programs, plans and methods for larger-scale ecoregions. The Conservation Practitioner V provides technical leadership and support to the program. Requires sufficient knowledge and work experience of a Conservation Practitioner IV in addition to one or more of the following functions:
• Plans and directs conservation projects and activities within the indigenous strategy
• Addresses critical threats to natural systems, individual species, and key local human communities
• Fosters cross-site learning within the program, to other interested stakeholders, and to the international conservation community, in particular in the Pucallpa, Peru area, Lima and with Brazilian counterparts
• Supplies science and planning teams with information for site portfolios
• Develops and implements conservation strategies and actions
• Knowledge of politics and society with respect to environmental affairs
• Employs a full range of conservation tools to meet conservation goals and implements a variety of strategies to secure public and private support for TNC conservation priorities.
• Coordinates community and indigenous support to gain their collaboration and participation in project decision-making.
• Coordinates with government agencies and non-government organizations to develop cross-border strategies, and threat reduction strategies linked to Sierra del Divisor, and Northern Selva Central, in collaboration with ProNaturaleza and Instituto del Bien Común, as well as with Brazilian organizations such as Comissão Pró-Índio do Acre, and SOS Amazônia.
• Plans and directly implements conservation and coordination actions in binational areas of Peru and Brazil, along the Sierra del Divisor conservation area.
• Employs a full range of methods to engage other organizations in the conservation strategies for the region and finds opportunities to connect with other Amazon program projects, such as Bolivia’s community forestry projects.
• Furthers the Conservancy’s strategic goals through working with others and leveraging the project.
• Effectively communicates government, community and non-government groups the work being done in the area and the results and challenges faced.
As part of the incumbent’s ongoing professional development, he/she will be responsible for keeping abreast of new innovative techniques and equipment to enhance skills and maintain and grow professional credentials. In addition, they shall work to build and maintain relationships with other organizations and in the local community where the Conservancy works. | | BASIC QUALIFICATIONS | | • BA/BS, law or business degree and 5 years experience in natural resource management or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience negotiating complex agreements.
• Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in writing and verbally.
• Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, Web browsers, etc.
• Fluency in Spanish required | | ADDITIONAL JOB INFORMATION | | REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
• Major in social sciences, law, business or environmental degree and at least 5 years experience in natural resource management or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Master’s degree preferable or equivalent years of experience and professional formation.
• Ability to make sound decisions on legal, financial, conservation and reporting issues
• Knowledge of land management conservation practice and conservation science
• Explaining conservation practices to technical and non-technical audiences
• Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and guide activities
• Ability to communicate and work closely with scientists and local indigenous and community groups
• Working with media and influential officials, especially governmental, to improve Conservancy programs’ outcomes
• Experience with conflict management and resolution, and high negotiation skills
• Knowledge of ecological land management principles
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management, and natural resource preservation
• Experience in training and curriculum design.
• Demonstrated experience communicating effectively with the public and/or media
• Completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s)
• Managing time and diverse activities under deadlines while delivering quality results
• Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g.; Word, Excel, Web browsers).
• Excellent communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means in English and Spanish, and working knowledge of Portuguese will be an asset
• Ability to manage conflicts and groups; to negotiate common objectives and consensus building
COMPLEXITY/PROBLEM SOLVING:
• Coordinates multiple projects with several variables, setting realistic deadlines and managing timeframes
• Interprets guidelines, evaluates information, and modifies processes to adapt to changing circumstances
• Compiles data, resolves disparities, and modifies processes to generate plans
• Resolves routine issues independently, consulting with supervisor to develop plans for resolution of complex and unusual problems
• Cultivates and develops creative ideas to improve conservation strategies
• Applies diversified knowledge of scientific principles and practices to a variety of assignments
• Negotiates complex agreements in political environments
• Identifies and disseminates lessons learned, best practices and methods, tools, consistencies and inconsistencies across plans
• Ensures program accountability and legal compliance
DISCRETION/LATITUDE/DECISION-MAKING:
• Ability to make sound and independent decisions for TNC in the following areas (legal, financial, conservation, reputation)
• Makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and judgment
• Performs tasks with minimal supervision
• Reports to Western Amazon Program Manager
RESPONSIBILITY/OVERSIGHT – FINANCIAL AND SUPERVISORY:
• Manage multi-disciplinary administrative and professional staff, with responsibility for performance management, training and career development. Establish clear directions and set stretch objectives.
• May need to gain cooperation from outside parties to accomplish program goals
• Financial responsibility may include working within/managing a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors, assisting with budget development, and meeting fundraising targets.
• Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements
• Establish and maintain optimal standards of performance for the department or program while controlling costs and administering budgets.
• Responsible for ensuring that public and private funds are raised to meet program needs.
COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:
• Networks with diverse groups, including indigenous peoples, land owners, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members and the general public to recruit support for the Conservancy and publicize Conservancy efforts
• Provide a variety of information to staff and others, contributing to conservation projects and assisting workflow throughout the organization.
• Work and communicate effectively with a diverse group of people, including scientists, preserve staff, and others, providing and obtaining needed information
• Collaborates with a wide range of conservation partners to identify research needs, present technical concepts at national or international conferences, and support fieldwork
• Provides training for internal and external colleagues on ecological and conservational scientific principles
• Ability to simplify and explain the principles of conservation science and practices to technical and non-technical audiences
• Communicates strategic project goals and objectives.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:
The Conservation Practitioner V may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances. Candidate must be willing to travel 40% of the time. These conditions:
• require considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain
• present frequent possibility of injury
• require long hours in isolated settings | | BENEFITS | | The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond. | | HOW TO APPLY | | Please submit resume and cover letter as one document no later than July 10, 2009.
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