Lake Tanganyika Partnerships & Program Coordinator at Nature Conservancy Tanzania

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. 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. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube  or on 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.

The Lake Tanganyika Program is a lake-wide program which aims to work with partners to improve protection and management of freshwater Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) and other critical biodiversity habitats in Lake Tanganyika, while contributing to improved fisheries benefits for coastal communities. This ambitious goal will be achieved through (i) establishing community-based and co-managed fishery areas that empower communities to oversee and sustainably manage their fisheries resources, promoting a stewardship of fishery in Lake Tanganyika; (ii) supporting fisheries co-management guidelines at national level, including zoning and monitoring of critical habitats; (iii) strengthening the role of the Lake Tanganyika Authority (LTA) to foster regional cooperation and support fisheries and aquaculture management; and (iv) improving fish catch per unit of effort to improve livelihoods.

WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER

We aim to achieve strong and sustained TNC relationships with the Lake Tanganyika Authority (LTA) and other on the ground partners who deliver conservation efficiency around the Lake Tanganyika riparian states. The Lake Tanganyika Partnerships and Program Coordinator supports the Lake Tanganyika Program Manager to cultivate, maintain and strengthen relationship with LTA, respective government agencies, other conservation organizations and development partners in the basin. They strengthen lake-wide partnerships for sustained and responsible fisheries management on Lake Tanganyika and support the Lake Tanganyika Program Manager to guide the implementation of the Lake Tanganyika Program by fostering strong partnerships with governments and partners in the four riparian countries. The Lake Tanganyika Partnerships and Program Coordinator also supports the design of the TNC Lake Tanganyika Program strategic plan and annual action plan. Reporting to the Lake Tanganyika Program Manager and working closely with the Africa Partnership Manager, the Africa Freshwater Strategy Coordinator, the Lake Tanganyika Monitoring Specialist, Lake Tanganyika Fisheries and Biodiversity Lead, the Africa Freshwater Director, and Africa Freshwater staff, this position will be based in Tanzania at the TNC office in Kigoma with potential relocation to Kipili field office.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU

Main roles and responsibilities include:

• Provide collaborative leadership to the Lake Tanganyika Program team during the delivery of the Lake Tanganyika Program
• Adapt and implement the Africa Partnership engagement strategy in Lake Tanganyika Freshwater Program to expand and strengthen transformative strategic partnerships focusing on co-creation and joint decision making with local communities, government agencies, NGOs, research institutions, and international organizations that contribute to and support the program’s objectives
• Manage partnerships that ensure sustainable and inclusive community-led governance in fisheries conservation and freshwater biodiversity protection with local implementing partners in Tanzania such as Sustain Lake Tanganyika, Tongwe Trust, EDOTA, CEELS and Moshi Cooperative University and in the four riparian countries bordering the Lake Tanganyika
• Monitor the progress and impact of partnerships, evaluate the partnership performance and provide recommendations for improvement
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with partnerships, ensuring that potential challenges are addressed proactively
• Support the Lake Tanganyika Program team to develop strategic plans and objectives setting for various projects and initiatives
• Prepare regular reports on partnership activities, progress and outcomes for internal and external stakeholders
• Supervise the monitoring of key deliverables, outputs, and outcomes as per program schedule and workplans.
• Organize and lead meetings and activities among numerous stakeholders, partners, and program participants.
• Manage budget and track program progress, with assistance from the TNC Operations team
• Oversee project management for the program, using TNC’s Highly Effective Teams and any other approaches to effectively manage key projects and support the work of cross-functional, cross-geographic teams towards the desired outcome.
• Develop and monitor work plans based on the 2030 project schedule, manage consultants, and negotiate contracts with vendors. 
• Oversee preparation and implementation of grants and contracts.
• Support the Lake Tanganyika Program Manager to ensure that public and private funds are raised to meet program needs, in support of the TNC Africa development team.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• BA/BS degree and 5 years’ experience in stakeholders/partners engagement, multi-sector coordination, partnership development, Program coordination or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including staffing, workloads, and finances under deadlines.
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading and setting objectives
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies 
• Experience negotiating complex agreements.
• English and language fluency. Knowledge of French and Swahili is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience in building and managing consortia of partners across institutions (e.g., communities, NGOs, private and government) and varying sectors.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience required.
• 5-7 years’ experience in conservation practice, natural resources management, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation and/or fisheries policy and plans.
• Knowledge and experience in fundraising, linking and collaborating with international organizations, and fostering Public–Private–Community – Partnership (PPCP).
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in inland fisheries and freshwater conservation
• Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity and fisheries information systems and initiatives
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English, French, and Kiswahili
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising and donor-related reporting experience. 
• Politically savvy.
• Strong understanding of the ecological, social, and economic background of Tanzania, Burundi, DRC, and Zambia and fishing communities.
• Knowledge of the environmental sector and wildlife management policies, laws, and development issues of the Lake Tanganyika four riparian countries
• Strong organizational and communication skills.