| Description |
| | | | The Nature Conservancy is the world’s leading conservation organization, working in all 50 states and more than 33 countries. Founded in 1951, the mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. | | | DEPARTMENT OR PROGRAM SPECIFIC | | | Position Code: DIRSA | | | ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS | | | The Nature Conservancy’s South America Region is looking for a high-energy, forward-thinking, creative individual, able to work effectively with others in a decentralized and geographically dispersed organization. The Southern Andes Conservation Program Director will be a senior manager in the organization and a member of the South American Management Team. The person chosen for this position will be based in Santiago, Chile, and will build and manage program teams in the Conservancy’s priority areas for conservation in this part of South America, especially:
• The Humboldt Current marine program of Chile and Peru
• Sustainable forestry in Bolivia’s north and east (BOLFOR II project)
• The Patagonian Grasslands of Argentina
• The Mediterranean Forests and Coastal Deserts of Chile and Peru
• Sustainable Protected Areas systems (national and sub-national) in Chile, Argentina, Peru and Bolivia
The Conservation Program Director is responsible for leading a team effort to produce measurable conservation results. S/he collaborates with other TNC units and partners to find and deploy the human and financial resources needed to implement the conservation strategies that produce tangible conservation outcomes in the priority areas defined by TNC for the region. S/he should be an individual with high ethical standards and a track record of engaging diverse groups – public, private-sector, and non-profit – in results-focused conservation strategies. S/he will supervise staff and project teams based in Bariloche (AR), Santa Cruz and La Paz (BO), Santiago and Valdivia (Ch), and Lima (PE). S/he raises program funds both in the United States and with in-country public and private funders, and participates in conservation operations, finance and marketing. S/he does not supervise but must work collaboratively with finance, science, and public policy staff, as well as other offices and programs across the Conservancy. S/he is accountable for the Operating Unit’s success and for maintaining strict adherence to organizational values. | | | BASIC QUALIFICATIONS | | | KEY KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:
• Strong and proven track record of achieving results. Well-organized and self-directed, politically savvy and a team player.
• Strong supervisory and team management experience, including ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, and manage performance of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Conservation or related experience, preferably in the Southern Andes; strong knowledge of regional issues and institutions.
• Experience in fundraising and familiarity with donor cultivation and solicitation; ability to work with philanthropy staff to develop and participate in fundraising strategies.
• Fluent Spanish, strong written and spoken English required.
• Bachelor’s degree and minimum of five years experience as a proven leader, including demonstrated experience in managing budgets and teams of staff.
• Ability to credibly represent the organization to a variety of high-level audiences, internal and external, including government officials and private companies as well as other NGOs.
• Strong writing skills. | | | ADDITIONAL JOB INFORMATION | | | COMPLEXITY/PROBLEM SOLVING:
• Proposes and implements procedures to enhance overall performance in accordance with short and long term objectives.
• Highly diversified work involves participation in the formulation and evaluation of broad policies and/or long-term programs, or making decisions, which typically have broad organizational impact.
• Directs major program of strategic importance to the Conservancy through management of multi-disciplinary teams.
DISCRETION/LATITUDE/DECISION-MAKING:
• Decisions are made independently, but within broad strategic framework agreed with peers; oversight from and reporting to TNC’s regional office for South America.
• Decisions may affect organization’s public image.
• Decision may have financial and/or legal impact on the organization.
RESPONSIBILITY/OVERSIGHT –FINANCIAL & SUPERVISORY:
• Broad management and leadership responsibility. Recruit, retain, and manage high quality and effective staff.
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit major donors in support of program activities.
• Overall responsibility for financial management of program, including setting financial goals, analyzing results, and taking corrective actions.
• Ensures that programmatic commitments, financial standards, and legal requirements are met.
COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:
• Superb communication and presentation skills; ability to persuasively convey the mission of TNC to diverse groups including major donors, corporate executives, board members and others who are critical to the organization’s overall prosperity.
• Creates and communicates a compelling vision; practices the Conservancy’s core values.
• Commands attention, can change tactics midstream, and manage group processes during presentations or discussions.
• Able to deliver effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to employee groups, managers at all levels, board members, and outside organizations.
• Cultivates and develops constructive and effective relationships inside and outside the Conservancy.
• Proven interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills. Ability to deal effectively, diplomatically, honestly, and sensitively with all levels of management and staff.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:
• Willingness and ability to travel routinely throughout the operating unit and elsewhere as required (at least 35% of time), including project areas within the program area.
• Flexibility to work long hours during deadline periods.
• Work requires only minor physical exertion and/or physical strain. | | | EOE STATEMENT | | | The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. |
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