At this juncture, we present an opportunity to collaborate and achieve mutual growth through a dynamic and rewarding role within our organization. By joining our team, you will contribute to and be instrumental in advancing key initiatives, driving innovation, and fostering an environment of excellence. This position offers the chance to leverage your expertise, refine your skills, and make a meaningful impact while working alongside talented professionals dedicated to shared success. We seek individuals who are eager to embrace challenges, demonstrate initiative, and commit to delivering outstanding results in alignment with our strategic objectives.
The Conservation Impact System Team (IST) within the Chief Conservation Office is instrumental in advancing global conservation efforts. By supporting conservation teams, leaders, and executives, the IST facilitates the generation and application of evidence to enhance adaptive management and reporting, thereby helping The Nature Conservancy (TNC) meet its objectives for biodiversity, climate, and human well-being. Comprising the Conservation Data Team (CDT) and the Conservation Strategy Team (CST), the IST collaborates closely to deliver comprehensive support. The CDT is tasked with strengthening conservation data capacity, ensuring data quality, advancing science and systems, and facilitating organizational reporting, including providing executive and global board-level insights and recommendations. This role is centered on empowering regional teams to consistently produce, rely on, and leverage high-quality data and evidence through robust Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) systems, standards, and practices. The position acts as a strategic partner with regional MEL leads, aligning CDT support with regional priorities, processes, and operational approaches.
Essential Functions:
The Africa Regional Advisor will collaborate with the CDT to enhance direct and integrated support for conservation data, fulfilling the needs of conservation teams and leaders within TNC’s Africa Region. Their role involves enabling these teams to generate and utilize evidence, thereby improving decision quality and amplifying their impact.
The Africa Regional Advisor will analyze and interpret the factors influencing customer satisfaction—specifically within TNC conservation teams and leadership in the Africa region—to enhance the delivery of CDT support. In this role, the advisor will act as a cross-cultural and organizational liaison and champion for learning, facilitating the exchange and mutual development of products and practices between the Africa region and other TNC regions. This collaboration will establish a unified conservation data toolkit that is both standardized across TNC and tailored to regional contexts.
The Africa Conservation Data Advisor will cultivate and sustain robust, collaborative partnerships with pivotal leaders and experts across the Africa Region, including members of the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) regional team and specialists, scientists, and portfolio managers. By coordinating with MEL staff in Africa, the Advisor will ensure that Conservation Data Technologies’ (CDT) assistance aligns with their strategic vision for conservation science data, MEL frameworks, and reporting mechanisms that underpin adaptive management within the Africa Portfolio. Collaborating with regional MEL leaders and external partners, the role will synchronize science data support with critical needs to enhance MEL data integrity and strengthen adaptive management practices. The Advisor will work in close alignment with the Africa MEL lead, CDT colleagues, and the CST Africa regional counterpart to harmonize support across MEL and strategic initiatives. This position will facilitate the delivery of CDT’s solutions while providing specialized technical and data science expertise. Employing a hands-on, iterative methodology, the Advisor will contribute to the development, execution, and refinement of CDT’s offerings to enable rapid learning and adaptive adjustments.
This role is designated for a two-year term.
As a Conservation Data Advisor for Africa, applicants must be legally authorized to work and permanently reside in one of the designated program locations within TNC Africa, specifically Kenya, Tanzania, or Zambia.
We’re Looking for You:
Offer strategic direction and assistance specifically aimed at enhancing the creation and application of evidence within adaptive management frameworks, ensuring alignment with regional priorities.
Offer specialized assistance to teams, utilizing agile methodologies, data science techniques, and implementation science frameworks to drive project success.
We deliver culturally sensitive and regionally tailored support to teams, fostering collaboration in the design of solutions and, when necessary, engaging local contractors to enhance effectiveness.
Provide conservation data science support that aligns with and enhances regional portfolio management and reporting processes.
Support teams in leveraging evidence syntheses to address critical science evidence gaps identified via their adaptive management frameworks, thereby ensuring the reliability of their reported outcomes.
Collaborate with regional team members to facilitate the effective utilization of conservation data tools in their support of high-priority teams and programs.
Develop foundational frameworks that facilitate the creation and application of evidence to support adaptive management and strategic prioritization throughout the Africa Region.
Develop strong, reliable partnerships with prominent members of The Nature Conservancy’s leadership team across the Africa Region.
In partnership with the MEL Regional team and MEL Specialists, establish the foundational elements required to facilitate the effective utilization of robust evidence in adaptive management practices.
In partnership with Africa MEL staff, you will refine data analytics methodologies to transform validated and evidence-based data into actionable reporting and learning outputs—including impact briefs, analytical summaries, and data reports—thereby informing strategic decisions across programs, portfolios, and leadership levels.
Partner with CDT team members to uphold data quality and reporting excellence across the region, while assisting regional leadership in reinforcing adherence to these established standards.
Collaborate with the leadership team overseeing Africa Regional Conservation and Strategies to pinpoint the most critical teams in need of conservation data and learning assistance, then prioritize and deliver targeted support to these groups.
Partner with Africa Regional Conservation/Strategies leadership to enhance the integration of conservation data into prioritization processes and key strategic decisions, thereby driving greater impact across the region. This includes working collaboratively to design and implement dashboards that streamline portfolio management and inform critical leadership choices.
Work collaboratively with members of the Africa Regional leadership team to drive progress in establishing and strengthening key enabling conditions across the region, thereby enhancing data quality and its application in adaptive management and priority-setting initiatives, while also fostering deeper integration of conservation and financial data and planning processes.
Expand CDT’s sphere of influence and amplify its outcomes through strategic leadership and innovative initiatives. Foster meaningful partnerships that enhance program effectiveness and drive measurable growth. Lead high-impact projects designed to scale impact while ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Develop and implement data-driven strategies to assess and enhance program performance, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently. Champion a culture of continuous improvement, empowering teams to achieve ambitious targets and deliver sustainable results. Collaborate with stakeholders across sectors to identify emerging opportunities and address critical challenges, reinforcing CDT’s position as a leader in driving transformative change.
Evaluate and track the impact of CDT support initiatives across the designated region to ensure alignment with organizational objectives and measure effectiveness.
Explore strategies to enhance support models in alignment with regional requirements, thereby amplifying CDT’s influence, while collaborating closely with fellow regional CDT leads.
Offer strategic insights to CDT regarding potential enhancements or refinements to support models, in alignment with collaborative efforts involving regional leadership.
Assist in recognizing opportunities where CDT tools or processes could be enhanced to better align with team requirements.
Employ a hands-on methodology to evaluate, refine, and enhance CDT support continuously.
Support CDT’s initiatives in diverse regions by identifying opportunities for collaboration, documenting and disseminating best practices, and engaging in cross-regional knowledge-sharing activities.
What You’ll Bring:
A Master’s Degree in a science-related field, coupled with at least four years of professional experience in enhancing data quality and leveraging data for management and business applications, is required. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in large conservation or development organizations, agencies, or equivalent settings, though relevant combinations of education and professional experience will also be considered.
Proficiency in conservation and/or development metrics, along with expertise in monitoring and evaluation data systems, is essential. Additionally, strong capabilities in impact measurement and results-based reporting for programs and portfolios are required.
Demonstrates a strong track record in maintaining rigorous standards, ensuring consistency, and validating program indicator methodologies.
Proficient in utilizing data analysis and visualization tools—such as Power BI, Tableau, GIS, Python, Excel, and R—to effectively design analytics frameworks, evaluate outputs, and enhance analytical capabilities for regional teams.
Demonstrated ability to guide and coach teams while enhancing individual and collective competencies through targeted development initiatives.
Compiling and analyzing data to substantiate conservation strategy and facilitate informed decision-making processes.
Proven leadership or active involvement in cross-functional team collaborations is required.
Demonstrates adaptability to accommodate diverse time zones by maintaining a flexible work schedule.
Proven ability to independently manage intricate and ambiguous projects, driving them to successful completion through strategic planning and adaptability.
Demonstrates a deep understanding of and dedication to integrating equity, justice, and inclusion principles and practices into all professional responsibilities.
Proven ability to collaborate and engage effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
Demonstrates proficiency in collaborating seamlessly across diverse cultural, national, and regional settings.
Strong ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with others.
Proficiency in managing diverse cultural environments across the African continent is essential.
Demonstrated flexibility and legal eligibility to live and work in the designated TNC Africa program locations, including Kenya, Tanzania, or Zambia, with the ability to travel to other regional countries such as Gabon, Angola, and South Africa.
Proficient command of the English language is required, encompassing strong verbal articulation, written clarity, and comprehension skills. Fluency in both spoken and written English is essential to effectively communicate with team members, clients, and stakeholders, ensuring seamless collaboration and understanding across diverse interactions.
Desired qualifications include a bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field, such as business administration, finance, or data analytics. Candidates should possess at least three years of professional experience in a related role, with a strong preference for those with experience in project management or data-driven decision-making. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, and familiarity with industry-specific software are essential. Excellent communication and organizational skills, along with the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, are also required. Prior experience in a leadership or mentoring capacity is highly desirable.
Demonstrated expertise in expanding conservation strategies or solutions utilizing data-driven approaches, including through Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems for ecosystem markets.
Experts in this field should possess deep knowledge in one or more key domains, including the large-scale protection or management of lands, freshwater, or oceans, as well as climate or biodiversity policy development. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in renewable energy siting, natural climate solutions, conservation finance and market mechanisms, regenerative agriculture practices, sustainable fisheries or aquaculture systems, watershed management strategies, community-based conservation approaches, or equitable conservation frameworks.
Demonstrated expertise in overseeing multifaceted projects, with a focus on financial management and cross-functional collaboration among colleagues and external stakeholders.
Driven by initiative and a proactive mindset, consistently taking decisive steps to move forward.
Proficient in utilizing cutting-edge technology to deliver optimal outcomes.
Eager to contribute to a dynamic agile team that continuously refines and evolves its operational methodologies.
Proficiency in Indigenous and Traditional knowledge is required.
Individuals who demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning, innovative thinking, and the ability to leverage available resources effectively are highly valued.
Proven expertise in developing and implementing strategic initiatives or long-term business strategies is required.
Proficiency in a second language, specifically French or Portuguese, is required.
Qualifications
MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
4 years
