OFFICE LOCATION
Cape Town, South Africa

WHO WE ARE

Founded in 1951, the Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. One of our core values is our commitment to diversity. Therefore, we strive for a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Working in 72 countries, including all 50 United States, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. TNC has offices in South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Gabon, and representation in Botswana and Seychelles. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.

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 Greater Cape Town Water Fund (GCTWF) – currently a TNC led initiative – is a leader in developing and implementing strategies to restore catchments, aquatic habitats and systems, address the impacts invasive species and climate change, and build local specialized capacity to work in remote mountainous areas. The GCTWF reached the Creation phase – see water fund life cycle – whereby the GCTWF is to be established as an independent legal entity. The Water Fund activities are designed to avoid water losses as a result of catchment degradation caused by invasive plants, wetland and riparian degradation and unsustainable land management practices.

YOUR POSITION WITH TNC

The GCTWF director provides leadership for Greater Cape Town Fund strategies and aligns the work of the GCTWF with national and regional strategies and policies and the global agenda. The Director will supervise staff based in Cape Town and will lead diverse, multi-disciplinary teams. The Greater Cape Town Water Fund Director is responsible for strategic planning, operational oversight, resource mobilization, stakeholder engagement, partnership liaison, community engagement, investor relations and staff recruitment and coordination. The Director will oversee project implementation, coordinate, and support activities, liaise with different stakeholders and report to various supporters on progress. This position will initially report to the South Africa Program Director and be expected to supervise staff and vendors. The position will be based at the TNC office in Cape Town, South Africa with significant travel required to the sub-catchments of the WCWSS.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Strategic Planning – Oversees development and implementation of conservation strategies in the GCTWF strategic plan, including developing new strategies and projects to achieve goals and objectives. You are responsible for integration of plans, policies and implantation actions.

Program Delivery – Provides direct assistance to partners and staff to help achieve GCTWF goals, including finding and engaging relevant capacity and experience to execute strategic action plans.

Partnership Building – Develops effective partnerships with national, provincial, and local government, scientific and academic institutions, conservation and other environmental groups, the business community, and other public and private organizations engaged in GCTWF issues. Fundraising – Assists GCTWF Board, TNC development staff and country leadership to secure public and private funds to support long term implementation. Coordinates development of funding proposals and grant applications.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
Geographic size includes priority sub-catchments in the Western Cape Water Supply System (WCWSS).
Programmatic scope requires diverse, multi-sectoral and institutional work and relationships.
Responsible for leading the whole GCTWF program.
Overall responsibility of the recruitment process of the service providers and formalization of MoUs with implementing and collaborating partners and formation of other bodies that are necessary for the implementation of the different activities under the project.
Provides overall management of the GCTWF in coordination with the different partners in a manner that is financially sound, professional, participatory, sensitive to local needs and socio-economic context, and in accordance with the policies, procedures, and guidelines set forth in the project design document and Project Implementation Manual (PIM);
Build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with the GCTWF local networks and contacts, including partner organizations, Public Private Partnership (PPP) stakeholders, other stakeholders and beneficiaries, and engage these individuals and organizations on a regular basis to integrate their feedback into the implementation and progress of the program;
Manage multi-disciplinary administrative and professional staff, with responsibility for performance management, training and career development. Establish clear directions and set stretch objectives.
Establish and maintain optimal standards of performance for the program while controlling costs and administering budgets.
Responsible for ensuring that public and private funds are raised to meet program needs.
Builds cooperation from outside parties to accomplish program goals.
Development and implementation of the Water Fund’s annual work plan, informed by the GCTWF Business Case and stakeholder input.
Oversees deployment of latest and cutting-edge science in guiding conservation work in the Western Cape Water Supply System (WCWSS).
Ensures timely delivery of Water Fund workplan targets and goals and sharing any challenges with the Program Director South Africa and the GCTWF board and relevant working groups for collective action and review.
May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
BA/BS degree and 7 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation.
Experience directing a major program or project of strategic importance, including management/supervision of multi-disciplinary teams and meeting deadlines.
Experience working with current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and geographic regions.
Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives, and managing performance.
Experience developing partnerships (NGOs, communities, businesses, governments).
Experience influencing, developing, and implementing conservation policy and plans at the government or provincial level.
Experience with financial oversight and management of project and program budgets.
Experience managing a major program or project of strategic importance, including management and supervision of multi-disciplinary teams and meeting deadlines.
Experience in partnership development, multi-stakeholder engagement, with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

At least 7- 10 years’ experience in invasive species management or ecological restoration or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Multi- lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
10 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated experience influencing, developing, and implementing conservation policy and invasive species management plans.
Knowledge of current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and regions.
Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives.
Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.