The Conservation Community Specialist implements activities related to conservation engagement, awareness building, and education for communities and other stakeholders within the Eastern Caribbean. S/he facilitates comprehension, adoption and advancement of the goals and objectives of the projects managed by Eastern Caribbean Program of the Caribbean Division of The Nature Conservancy (TNC). This position will be based in the St. George’s, Grenada office and will support activities in the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada. S/he will be expected to collaborate and communicate with government officials, private sector, regional and international partner organizations, non-governmental organizations, and community groups. The position reports to the Eastern Caribbean Program Director.
The core activities of the Conservation Community Specialist include relationship building, partnership development, and coalition building. S/he implements activities related to conservation awareness and education, particularly helping communities (i) understand the ecological and economic importance of protected areas, and (ii) reduce their vulnerability to climate change. S/he develops training materials to this end. The Conservation Community Specialist works with local communities to identify key leaders, identify their challenges and opportunities for sustainable interventions. S/he also coordinates with protected area and site managers, climate change specialist, and local, national and international agencies to resolve conflicts that may arise, and help develop acceptable alternatives. S/he helps to develop, support and/or coordinate community conservation-related activities and provides field information to conservation planners for marine managed areas, disaster risk reduction and climate work. S/he must be able to represent the project work of TNC’s Eastern Caribbean Program to a wide variety of constituencies including governmental, non-governmental and private stakeholders, as well as community activists and grass roots community members. S/he must be able to facilitate consultations and meetings with community groups and stakeholders to solicit their ideas and opinions about planning for coastal and ocean space as part of the development of the blue economy of Eastern Caribbean countries. In addition, the Conservation Community Specialist may assist in fundraising efforts for marine and coastal protection initiatives and climate adaptation at specific sites, by providing input for proposal writing and solicitation as needed.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Assists in helping communities understand the ecological and economic importance of protected areas and vulnerability to the impacts of climate change.
- Works with local communities to identify key leaders, understand their problems and potential and coordinates with conservationists, natural resource managers, local, national and international agencies, and the private sector to resolve conflicts and help develop acceptable alternatives.
- Helps to develop, support and/or coordinate community conservation-related activities and provides field information to conservation planners for site protection work.
- Plans and facilitates stakeholder consultations on issues for critical importance that help advance the work of the TNC Eastern Caribbean Program.
- Works alongside conversation staff to help simplify complex concepts and ideas into forms that are more easily understood by community stakeholders and develops relevant training materials.
- Helps mobilize community groups to become more engaged and take on leadership roles in conservation and climate change projects and initiatives.
- Provides technical information and support to local conservation efforts by teaching workshops, meeting with community groups and organizations, and presenting information to citizens.
- Develops systems to distribute information to all relevant stakeholders.
- May help to with fundraising for overall marine and coastal and climate adaptation initiatives at specific sites by providing input for proposal writing and solicitation as needed.
- May supervise administrative staff and/or volunteers, interns or temporary staff.
- Works in partnership with other organizations in a collaborative and advisory capacity.
- 4 years’ experience in community development and/or conservation education, or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
- Fluency in English.
- Supervisory experience.
- Communications and meeting facilitation experience including presenting to community leaders, government officials, or related; and working in partnership with other organizations.
- Demonstrated experience and training in facilitation of workshops, trainings and seminars.
- Experience with MS Office, Word, Excel and Database management (if required).
- Experience working with partner’s/government agencies without violating any restrictions related to conflicts of interest, lobbying former employers, or influencing decision makers.
- Valid driver's license and good driving record.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated
- At least 4-6 years’ experience in community development and/or conservation education, or equivalent.
- Excellent communications in English.
- Familiarity with the political and cultural environment of the Eastern Caribbean region.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the functional needs and practices of the Eastern Caribbean region.
- Demonstrated experience in MS Office, Word and Excel. May require database management skills with ability to produce reports.
- Ability to manipulate, analyze and interpret data.
- Supervisory experience.
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.