The Africa Oceans Strategy Director leads design, development, and implementation of ocean protection across TNC’s Africa Region. The strategic focus is on securing ocean protection at scale, including through marine spatial planning and improved fisheries management, supported by strong science, technical capacity, and sustainable financing. Current geographic focus is on Seychelles, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Gabon, Namibia, Angola and Mauritius.

The ideal candidate will have experience in conservation, policy and sustainable development programs for oceans and coasts. The candidate will have experience facilitating and leading multiple objective planning processes and working across complex matrixed organizations in the Region. The Africa Oceans Strategy Director will serve as a key liaison and informational contact between the Africa Region, the Global Oceans Team and other TNC staff, and develops relationships with government agencies, local and international NGOs and other groups as needed to advance our ocean protection goals.

This position will report to the Africa Conservation Director and work closely with TNC’s Global Oceans Team and Africa Fisheries Team. The Africa Oceans Strategy Director will require strong leadership skills to manage several direct reports and spend significant time building and managing the Africa oceans team in existing and new geographies. This position may involve about 25-35% domestic and international travel and can be based in any of countries in Africa where TNC has an office.

Are you looking for a career to help people and nature? Guided by science, TNC creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of the Africa Oceans Strategy in contribution to TNC’s 2030 targets and Oceans goals.
• Ensure the effective coordination and integration of oceans work for all projects and programs across the Africa Business unit.
• Lead the Africa Oceans team and work collaboratively with the Global Oceans Team to deliver the Africa Oceans strategy
• Advance national level planning efforts that increase ocean conservation outcomes, including climate mitigation and resilience plans and marine spatial plans.
• Guide reforms for marine fisheries and building local capacity for sustainable and legal fisheries management while supporting policies at national, regional, and local levels to enable marine fishery reform.
• Oversee efforts to create and advance community-based strategies for better managed coastal and marine areas.
• Facilitate and manage collaborations with government, intergovernmental institutions, development partners, CSOs, private sector and communities
• Assess topics related to Africa Ocean conservation and advise TNC communications, marketing and philanthropy staff on issues related to oceans work in Africa and help ensure that TNC’s internal and external communications accurately reflect the strategy and conservation goals.
• Coordinate research and analysis to support development and implementation of oceans projects and strategies.
• Represent TNC’s Africa Oceans Strategy at relevant international and regional conferences and meetings, delivering technical presentations and expert input as needed.
• Support fundraising by developing and contributing to proposals and representing the Africa Ocean Program to public and private donors and seeks to integrate sustainable financing mechanisms into the ocean’s programs.
• Lead the Africa Ocean Strategy budget development and ensure on time on budget project implementation.
• Assist in developing reports, presentations, and assessments on related topics, as well as internal and external communications materials that reflect the program’s objectives and priorities.
• Requires willingness and ability to travel up to 35% both domestically and internationally, and to work occasional weekends and evenings.