OFFICE LOCATION: Cape Town, South Africa
POSITION: Full time, Regular
A LITTLE ABOUT US
Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. 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. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. Whether it’s career development, work/life balance, or a rewarding mission, there are lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all of our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued.
YOUR POSITION WITH TNC
The Water Fund Implementation Coordinator directs all implementation aspects of the Greater Cape Town Water Fund (GCTWF). The Greater Cape Town Water Fund is a public-private partnership applying innovative financial and coordination mechanisms to restore ecological infrastructure in the catchments upon which Cape Town, neighboring municipalities, local communities and the agricultural sector depend for water supply. To this end, the Nature Conservancy promotes collective action to secure long-term water supply in the Greater Cape Town region. The Water Fund’s goal is to be a catalyst for improving catchment management by restoring strategically important sub-catchments in the Western Cape Water Supply System in collaboration with its partners. 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.
The GCTWF team have the following overarching objectives:
- Work with the National and Provincial governments and the City of Cape Town and neighboring municipalities towards a supporting legal and policy environment by drawing from examples of established Water Funds in other parts of the world, e.g. Latin America and Kenya’s Upper Tana Nairobi Water Fund.
- Improve catchment ecosystems that support livelihoods, water security, economic development and biodiversity outcomes by controlling invasive plants, rehabilitating wetlands and riparian areas; and working with land users to improve management practices, to prevent pollution, sedimentation and manage fuel loads to reduce the risk of wildfires
- Implement knowledge management and learning systems through a Monitoring and Evaluation framework that a) supports Water Fund decision-making and adaptive management, biophysical and socio-economic data collection and analysis and b) allows for scaling up and replication of best practices as rapidly as possible.
- Raise and pool private and public capital commiserate with the conservation opportunity to improve water security though ecological restoration
The Greater Cape Town Water Fund Implementation Coordinator is responsible for operational oversight, coordinating partner activities, implementing on-the-ground actions, quality assurance and tracking management effectiveness. The Water Fund Implementation Coordinator will oversee project implementation, coordinate and support activities and liaise with different stakeholders. This position will report to the South Africa Program Director and be expected to supervise staff and vendors. The position is located in Cape Town, South Africa with significant travel to the Western Cape Supply System catchment and some international travel.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Water Fund Implementation Coordinator coordinates implementation of activities, liaise with partners, facilitates collaboration and integration of partner activities, compiles and implement Annual Plans of Operation, provides technical input into restoration activities, and to widely communicates solutions and best practices. He/she develops innovative tools and frameworks to optimize the Water Fund’s impact, engages the local community and partnership support for Water Fund efforts, and liaise extensively with the City of Cape Town a key partner of the GCTWF.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Coordinate and implements the Greater Cape Town Water Fund restoration activities and projects to support and improve ecological infrastructure in the WCWSS.
- Manage, develop and train contractors and teams to achieve operational targets
- Establish and maintain optimal standards of performance for the Greater Cape Town Water Fund while controlling costs and administering budgets.
- Builds cooperation from multiple stakeholders to accomplish program goals, including coordination of technical working group activities.
- Work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Frequently makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and context.
- Development and implementation of the Water Fund’s annual work plan informed by the business case and stakeholder input.
- Development of annual budgets in collaboration with the Program Director South Africa and the GCTWF operational working group.
- Oversees deployment of the latest and cutting-edge science in guiding conservation work in the WCWSS.
- Ensuring timely delivery of Water Fund Workplan targets and goals and sharing any challenges with the Program Director South Africa and the GCTWF operational working group members for collective action and review.
- Prepare progress reports in accordance with approved reporting formats and ensure their timely submission.
- Foster participatory approach by engaging primary stakeholder groups in implementation.
- Document lessons learned and engage with partners and water fund network to exchange experiences, promote learning, and achieve implementation excellence.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- BA/BS degree and 5 years’ experience in invasive species management or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including staffing, workloads and finances under deadlines.
- Experience in managing independent contractors.
- Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies
- Experience in managing and coordinating implementation of large-scale invasive species control projects
- Experience in working and liaising with local communities and the general public
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- Demonstrated experience influencing, developing, and implementing invasive species control plans.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in invasive species management and wetland restoration.
- Knowledge of methods and invasive species, wetland, and riparian restoration standards of information systems and initiatives or related fields.
- Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
- Demonstrated experience in managing budgets
- Excellent communication skills and ability to adapt to different audiences
HOW TO APPLY?
To apply to position number 49514 submit resume (required) and cover letter separately using the upload buttons. Applications will be reviewed in the order they’re received and the position will remain open until filled.
Click “submit” to apply for the position or “save for later” to create a draft application for future submission. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited. Failure to complete required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration.
If you experience technical issues, please refer to our applicant user guide or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.
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 culture. 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 orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy’s background screening process.