The Sustainable Hydropower Coordinator, Gabon Program, develops, manages and advances TNC Gabon’s sustainable hydropower programs, working with partners from the private and public sector to create models at the project level and at the system-level (basin, national) that deliver better outcomes for conservation, while meeting national energy and development goals; and that can become model within the region or beyond.
The Sustainable Hydropower Coordinator, Gabon Program, establishes the Conservancy as a major conservation partner within the area of responsibility, defines conservation priorities and long-term conservation strategies, builds strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field and develops key partnerships with public and private organizations to identify and resolve technical issues and to widely communicate solutions and best practices. S/he develops innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools and frameworks to address the natural system needs, engage local community support for local conservation efforts, and negotiate complex and innovative solutions with government agencies and other stakeholders to conserve and protect natural communities. S/he provides technical coordination and support to TNC Gabon Program by planning, directing and implementing sustainable hydropower support and conservation management projects. S/he contributes in the development of a strategic vision and intervention action lines for TNC’s Gabon program, by addressing critical threats stemming from hydropower development – and eventually from other renewable energy sources – to natural systems and species, harnessing opportunities provided by positive enabling conditions, and fostering cross-site learning among the energy and conservation community. S/he employs a full range of sustainable energy development and conservation tools including supporting siting, mitigation and offset approaches. S/he implements a variety of strategies to secure public and private support for TNC’s related conservation work. S/he actively participates in large-scale conservation and renewable energy planning for the program and contributes in strengthening local capacity for conservation.
Specifically, the Sustainable Hydropower Coordinator, Gabon Program, will be involved in furthering TNC Gabon sustainable hydropower and renewable energies strategy, and his/her functions will include, among others:
- Support national planning and local implementation of sustainable hydropower development and other renewable energy to meet energy goals and maintain the health of natural systems and ecosystem services.
- Enable integrated river basin management that balances economic productivity, social benefits and conservation, by developing applications of TNC’s methods and tools at the system and at the project level.
- Facilitates the development of new information (data, scientific research), deployment of decision support tools and building of technical capacity of local practitioners in fields related to freshwater biodiversity, ecosystem services, hydrologic data, wetlands and habitat conservation.
This work is to be carried-out in close collaboration with partners from government, academia, NGOs and private sector, as needed, and with other experts across TNC.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Designs, implements and directs complex and diverse projects related to sustainable hydropower and potentially other renewable energy projects; coordinates the work of other professionals inside and outside the organization.
- Incorporates cross-disciplinary knowledge to support program objectives.
- Significant opportunity to act independently within broad program goals; under minimal supervision, makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and judgment.
- In supervisory capacity, plans, organizes and directs assigned project programs; may supervise project staff of conservation technicians.
- Manages projects on a large geographic scale.
- Gains cooperation from outside parties to accomplish program goals.
- Financial responsibility may include managing a budget to complete projects, negotiating with contractors, assisting with budget development, and meeting fundraising targets.
- Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
- 5 years experience in natural resource management and conservation or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience, education, and/or training in conservation management practice and experience with conservation work in Gabon or the region
- Experience, education, and/or training in freshwater and energy related conservation priority issues for Gabon or the region
- Experience, education, and/or training in scientific foundation for conservation work.
- Experience with written and verbal French and English language skills.
- Experience in developing, managing and coordinating multiple projects.
- Experience negotiating complex agreements.
- Experience completing tasks independently with respect to timelines.
- Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Web Browsers.
DESIRED QUALIFICATION
- Ability to work closely with other TNC conservation experts, and other non-TNC professionals.
- Demonstrated proactive attitude, with experience leading and coordinating conservation field work in Gabon; experience in logistics management for conservation field related work.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, and natural resource protection and management.
- Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
- Experience training individuals and groups and curriculum design.
- Demonstrated experience collaborating with other parties.
- Ability to explain conservation projects to technical and non-technical audiences.
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.