Who We Are:
The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) 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 include a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there are a lot of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want better insight into 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, TNC’s vision in Africa is to work towards fostering a sustainable future for people and nature, partnering with indigenous communities, governments, and the 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.
TNC is investing in a systematic and structured approach to conceptualize, design, and implement large landscape-level conservation frameworks that are durable and equitable, and link community-based conservation, protected area management, and national-level biodiversity conservation and climate ambitions. TNC pursues conservation finance and funding options for these scenarios across freshwater, ocean, and terrestrial ecosystems to protect and sustainably manage critical habitats for species, ecosystems, and carbon stocks.
Communications play a pivotal role in the Africa Program, developing compelling impact stories for conservation deliverables across diverse landscapes. Communications apply multifaceted approaches to raise the visibility of The Nature Conservancy in Africa as a thought leader and partner of choice toward achieving our 2030 goals, and the continent’s vision of a prosperous and wild Africa. Marketing and Communications, design strategies and campaigns to engage key target audiences who can positively influence conservation action, policy, and practices so that TNC can meet its positive future vision for nature and people.
What We Can Achieve Together:
The Associate Director of Advocacy and Strategic Communications leads in developing and implementing an integrated communications, media, and engagement strategy to help drive organizational strategy, goals, and objectives that build engagement, influence conservation action, and achieve awareness goals. They develop strategic communications products to promote TNC’s conservation work, ensuring they are reaching a decision-maker audience of policymakers, corporations, and investors, in service of and catalytic for conservation outcomes. Partners with department directors and senior-level staff to engage stakeholders in key strategy and communications-based operational decisions.
The Associate Director will lead the implementation of communications activities ranging from thought leadership content and promotions, earned media, digital campaigns, and social media, to communications in support of events and partner and stakeholder communications coordination.
The Associate Director of Advocacy and Strategic Communications will facilitate ongoing communication between all parts of the globally dispersed marketing division, and internal and external stakeholders, and identifies common ongoing media needs and opportunities. They may work with senior executives to implement strategies to strengthen communications channels and to develop and maintain staff engagement. They develop and foster relations with key persons in selected media and manage communication strategies and program implementation for high-profile or key audiences within the region and target countries. The Associate Director of Advocacy and Strategic Communications develops speeches, key messages, and talking points, as needed, and provides consultation, media training, and coaching, to persons serving as spokesperson(s).
The Associate Director of Advocacy and Strategic Communications, reports to and works closely with the Marketing and Communications Director for the Africa Region and will manage one or more staff. They will work closely with a TNC network of experts across the business unit who will provide guidance on key messaging and targeted audiences including Strategy and Country Program leads. They will work with external contractors, global teams, vendors, and other key stakeholders to ensure the delivery of communications projects that contribute to a positive service relationship.
This position can be based at any location in Africa where TNC has an office. This position may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. May require frequent travel domestically and/or internationally and evening and weekend hours.
We’re Looking for You:
Are you looking to further your career in support of nature and people? Guided by science, TNC creates innovative and durable solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together.
We’re looking for someone who is passionate, creative, and a problem solver. By joining our regional Africa team, you will become part of a group that is a force to be reckoned with a force for nature, a force for people, and a force for our planet. Our team consists of a dedicated group leading the conservation effort on multiple fronts and expertly bringing strategy and action together. Join us!
Role Scope and Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and implement integrated strategic communication promotions to grow the organization’s influence
- Design, oversee and implement a thought leadership strategy to shape the conversation around nature-based solutions among government and private sector audiences
- Oversee development of best-in-class communications and marketing assets, including print materials and digital content
- Build a network of new relationships (corporate and media partners, communications lead of partner organizations, influencers) and strengthen existing relationships to expand the reach and impact of our message
- Drive brand influence through innovative strategies tied to external, high-profile events, such as Biodiversity Multilateral Environmental Agreements’ (MEA) Conference of Parties (COP) events, which may include collaborations with partner NGOs and creative agencies
- Expand the portfolio of trusted freelance experts in key markets to grow the team’s capability to communicate with locally resonant strategies and messages
- Develop and oversee new relationships with PR and marketing agencies in key markets to design and implement campaigns that contribute to global and regional objectives
- Develop and manage the region’s marketing and communications budget, evaluate results, and develop corrective strategies as needed
- Advise on decisions to commit resources for programs or initiatives in a way that has an organization-wide impact and affects the public image
- Must be willing to travel domestically and internationally and work in variable weather conditions, remote locations, hazardous terrain, and physically demanding circumstances
What You’ll Bring:
- Bachelor’s degree in communication or a related field and a minimum of 8 years of related experience or equivalent combination
- Experience in project management, developing communications, media, and engagement strategies, and measuring results
- Experience cultivating and managing client relationships
- Experience supervising staff and team
- Experience working with current Marketing and Communications trends, and practices and conceiving and implementing strategic, and creative initiatives including crisis communications
- Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives, and managing performance
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Demonstrated ability to conceive and write creatively for diverse and inclusive audiences including experience in translating complex scientific or technical content into compelling communications
- Excellent presentation and verbal communication skills including experience engaging diverse audiences including some or all the following: internal and external executives, donors, members, board members, Indigenous Peoples, and local community groups and the public or equivalent
- Experience working in a global, decentralized organization a plus
- Experience working in communications between NGO, corporate, and governmental organizations
- Experience developing and implementing communications strategies and compelling content
- Experience in advocacy and strategic communications
- Thrives in a fast-paced environment, and has experience of working with many internal and external partners simultaneously
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experiences are appreciated
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, Pension/ Gratuity, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, and other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.
