Forest Research & Monitoring Lead – Central Africa Forestry Initiative (CAFI) 15 views0 applications 43 views

Who We Are:

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, governments, and private sector across more than 22 million hectares on the continent. Our efforts are firmly rooted in people, leveraging scientific and technical expertise as we collaborate with key stakeholders to conserve and enhance Africa’s shared resources in the countries we operate. 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 stand to adversely impact the nearly 1.4 billion people that share Africa.

In Gabon, The Nature Conservancy is working collaboratively in support of the country’s ambitious biodiversity conservation and climate mitigation agenda. TNC works across freshwater, ocean and terrestrial ecosystems to protect and sustainably manage critical habitats for species, ecosystems, and climate mitigation. TNC brings science and innovative tools and approaches to inform better decision-making, develops innovative financial mechanisms for long-term sustainability, cultivates strategic partnership and fosters the needs for inclusive, equitable conservation that benefits nature and people.

What We Can Achieve Together:

TNC seeks a Forestry Lead – Central Africa Forestry Initiative (CAFI) to oversee all aspects of forestry science and management, stewardship, and community relations as part of TNC’s role as implementing agency on behalf of the Government of Gabon for the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI)’s forestry program (CAFI 3 – Program 1).

The Forestry Lead will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of CAFI 3 – Program 1 implementation, including coordinating and supporting the work of other executing agencies in close collaboration with the government established CAFI Program Management Unit (PMU). They serve as the principal contact to other stakeholders and organizations from government and civil society, including implementing partners of the CAFI 3 – Program 1. They will provide technical expertise required for the implementation for the CAFI 3 – Program 1. They establish TNC as major conservation player within the forest sector of Gabon.

We’re Looking for You:

Are you looking for a career to help people and nature? Guided by science, TNC creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together.

We are looking for someone who is passionate and motivated problem-solver. Our team in Gabon is dedicated to solving the climate crisis, improving forestry practice, and conserving critical habitats.

The Forestry Lead- CAFI will be the principal manager of the CAFI 3 – Program 1. They will provide technical and management guidance and oversight to ensure the following outcomes are achieved: a) designing and implementing a national scale forestry certification process; b) creating an Elite Forestry Law enforcement unit; c) improving and expanding community forestry management.

The Forestry Lead will work closely with the government established CAFI Program Management Unit (PMU), the Chief of Party, and the rest of the CAFI implementation team. They will collaborate with a dynamic, international team of conservationists, scientists, and policy experts from the wider TNC community. The position reports to the Chief of Party – CAFI Forestry & Monitoring Programs and will be based at the TNC Libreville office in Gabon. This position is term-limited contingent on CAFI funding.

The Forestry Lead – CAFI key roles and responsibilities include:

• Provide technical, scientific and management leadership for the CAFI forestry program in Gabon.
• Provide management and technical support to TNC Gabon forestry program.
• Oversee the execution, performance, reporting, administration, and compliance related to the CAFI forestry program.
• Support the development of yearly budgets and workplans of the CAFI forestry program in close collaboration with CAFI governance bodies and key government partners.
• Coordinate the work of CAFI forestry program executing agencies in close collaboration with CAFI PMU ensuring timely implementation of the program deliverables.
• Oversee the monitoring of key deliverables, outputs, and outcomes as per CAFI forestry program workplans.
• Develop and manage key partnerships with public and private organizations from the forest sector.
• Negotiate complex and innovative solutions to advance forest management in Gabon.
• Identify and resolve technical issues for adequate implementation of the CAFI forestry program.
• Widely communicate solutions and best practices related to sustainable forest management.
• Develop innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools, and frameworks to address sustainable forest management needs and engage local community support for local conservation efforts.
• Provide leadership and supervision to direct reports.
• Frequently travel domestically and/or internationally, evening and weekend hours. May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

What You’ll Bring:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS degree and 7 years’ experience in forestry, conservation practice, or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Expertise in forest management and/or conservation practice.
• English and French bilingual proficiency.
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.
• Ability to think strategically, making efficient and effective use of limited resources.
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
• Experience negotiating.
• Familiarity with the conservation and forestry context within Gabon and the Congo Basin.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• 7-10 years’ experience working in forestry or conservation in the Congo Basin region.
• Ability to develop practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
• Demonstrated experience influencing, developing, and implementing conservation policy and plans.
• Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in forest management, certification, forest carbon development, conservation, or other natural resources related fields.
• Knowledge of methods and standards of forestry and biodiversity information systems and initiatives or related field.
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English, French and relevant languages.
• Politically savvy and experienced in national-level policy discussions.

What We Bring:

Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff, we impact conservation throughout the world!

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, pension plan including employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work wellbeing benefits. Learn more about our benefits at in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellbeing, and flexibility needs of the people we employ!

This description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for this job.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, 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 our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [email protected] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.