The Global Water Strategy Associate supports the development and implementation of the Global Water Markets (GWM) and Resilient Water Supply (RWS) strategies. The position is part of The Nature Conservancy’s Global Water Program (GWP), which promotes strategies to achieve innovative and collaborative solutions to major water challenges around the world to provide water for people and nature. The GWM/RWS strategy seeks to develop the science, policies, and tools to promote water management that meets diverse needs in the face of water scarcity. The Strategy Associate helps manage core functions and processes of the strategy through: 1) helping to maintain and manage an inventory of TNC’s global water scarcity projects; 2) providing strategy support to TNC staff in Latin America, Asia Pacific, Africa and North America regions; 3) offering technical analysis to develop tools and resources that advance strategy implementation across scales; and 4) coordinating public and private fundraising activities, including preparation, submission, and management of grants. The Associate also helps to facilitate annual planning, budgeting, and performance review cycles, administer contracts, facilitate team communications; and serve as a liaison for the strategy across the Conservancy. The Associate reports to the Director for GWM strategy in the GWP.
The GWM/RWS Strategy Associate would perform the following functions:
- Works with TNC staff around the world to help manage and maintain an inventory of TNC’s global water scarcity work and support a ‘community of practice’ of staff across TNC
- Assists TNC project practitioners to advance their work by providing analytical and organizational support, sharing lessons across TNC projects, leveraging relevant scientific research or expertise and advancing partnerships with government agencies or corporations.
- Coordinates with Philanthropy and GWP staff on public and private fundraising activities including assisting in proposal development, writing, reporting, and tracking deadlines
- Supports strategy development and implementation of TNC’s Shared Conservation Agenda.
- Tracks and coordinates Program deliverables related to annual planning, budgeting, and performance management cycles.
- Engages communications team to track and identify media and strategic outreach opportunities. Prepares and coordinates communications with stakeholders, partners and public agency staff to advance the goals of the strategy, as directed
- Schedules, plans and prepares for internal and external meetings and tracks deliverables and deadlines
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Provides strategic analysis in support of the Shared Conservation Agenda for Global Water Markets and Resilient Water Supply.
- Works with other TNC strategy teams – including Global Water and the Water Funds strategy – and field practitioners providing project support, coordination, and communications.
- Coordinates and, in some cases, leads research and writing tasks for both internal and external audiences.
- Develops reports, presentations and assessments on topics related to the global strategy.
- Plans, schedules, manages and helps facilitate team and partner meetings and events
- Works within a budget to complete projects, negotiates and contracts with vendors and assists with budget development.
- Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and judgment.
- May involve domestic and international travel of up to 33%.
- Experience leading complex projects or strategic initiatives in an unstructured environment.
- Experience researching, critically analyzing, and evaluating information from divergent sources and compiling it into cohesive reports and recommendations for strategy and action.
- Experience writing and editing promotional and informational material.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated
- Master’s degree and 2 years’ experience in natural resource management or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in water resources management and conservation
- Familiarity and knowledge related to business, governmental, and/or environmental policy and practices pertaining to the global strategy area of focus.
- Ability to work in a multicultural and multidisciplinary context.
- Ability to work well in a highly matrixed, decentralized and collaborative organization. Possesses strong interpersonal skills and political savvy. Must be a team player.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet time sensitive deadlines.
- Basic understanding of The Nature Conservancy’s mission and its niche in the conservation field
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.