Director, Engagement and Strategy, Africa at Nature Conservancy

What We Can Achieve Together

The Director of Engagement and Strategy serves as a key strategic advisor and counsel to the Africa Regional Managing Director (RMD). They work in close partnership and in coordination with the Africa Leadership Team (ALT) to drive the execution of progress on key regional priorities, leads and manages projects with skill, and manages the Office of the Africa RMD and staff, ensuring effective and efficient operations, communication, and RMD engagement strategy. The jobholder will report to the RMD, and preferably based in Nairobi, Kenya

Specific Functions Include

• Strategic support – Provides insight, analysis, and recommendations to assist the RMD in decision making. Plan and participate in important meetings and retreats; work closely with the RMD to develop and execute strategic initiatives, ensuring they align with TNC’s 2030 Goals and mission.
• Operations management – Support RMD in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Africa Program, ensuring smooth functioning and efficient execution of plans. Coordinate activities across different departments and streamline processes to avoid duplication of effort and inefficiencies. Keep a pulse on the Africa Program, ensuring a good flow of communication between functions and assisting, as necessary, to connect the dots with others across the organization.
• Relationship building – Develop and maintain strong relationships with leaders, and colleagues at all levels. Foster effective relationships to support RMD’s objectives and to promote regional interests. Actively support a culture of accountability for execution and results.
• Communication & Liaison – disseminate ALT’s top priorities, ensuring outcomes and action steps are clearly communicated and tracked appropriately, ensuring that strategies and projects stay on track. Document and communicate decisions and action items from meetings and ensure follow-up and closure of action items. Act as the primary point of contact and liaison between RMD and the various stakeholders, internally and externally. Represent RMD in internal meetings in his absence.
• Information management – Maintain a management reporting tool (dashboard) to track ALT member KPIs progress. Prepare and/or contribute to the preparation of reports, briefings, presentations, etc. for meetings and other priority issues involving the RMD. Ensure the RMD is properly briefed on strategic calendar events. Identify issues that impact the successful execution of plans, including elevating issues of which the RMD, and/or the Africa leadership should be aware, and framing ideas to solve the problem/mitigate the risk.
• Project management – Manage projects on behalf of the RMD. Develop project plans, timelines, allocate resources and monitor progress to ensure successful completion.
• Team Management - Manage a small team of professional staff, including responsibility for training, professional development, establishing clear directions, setting “stretch” objectives, and overseeing the execution of day-to-day work. Help to facilitate teamwork and communication at all levels within TNC.
• Self-Management – Be humble and curious; lead with compassion, embrace the power of trust and maintain confidentiality on sensitive matters, and be kind! Have fun and bring joy to the work you do!
• Maximize opportunity to act independently and resolve complex issues.
• Desire and ability to travel periodically (5-10% of year) to support RMD or ALT priorities.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU

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. We’re looking for someone who is passionate, motivated problem-solver. Come join TNC and apply today!

What You'll Bring

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 7 years relevant experience working as a Director of Strategy, Chief of Staff or similar role.
• Experience managing a multi-disciplinary team of professionals and senior level staff including ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, and manage performance.
• Experience conceiving and implementing strategic initiatives.
• Experience in developing Regional/Program-wide strategies and policies.
• Experience in financial and budget management
• Experience presenting to diverse internal and external groups such as donors, partners, and internal audiences from different functions.
• Superb communication and presentation skills.
• Strong project management experience.
• Experience proactively managing complex, high profile or sensitive initiatives.
• Experience in working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders to achieve objectives in an inclusive way.
• Written and verbal fluency in English.
• Superb communication and presentation skills.
• Experience and demonstrated ability to be effective and resilient in a fast-paced environment.
• Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience, especially related to Africa.

Desired experience

• Over 10 years of experience in senior management/ Director level leading strategy implementation and managing multidisciplinary teams in non-profit set up.
• Delegates responsibility and authority to staff and clearly defines expectations.
• Proven track record of success in handling confidential information.
• Experience with meeting facilitation and management.
• Demonstrated systems thinker and possesses political acumen.
• Ability to foster an environment of creativity and professional growth.
• Well organized and self-directed.
• Proven technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment, and strong operational focus.
• Knowledge of current and evolving trends in conservation, government relations, fund raising and non-profit management.