Africa Mangrove Forest Officer

• The Mangrove Forest Officer will work closely with TNC’s Africa Ocean Strategy Team, Africa Climate Strategy Team, and other TNC staff as appropriate. The position reports to the Africa Fisheries Strategy Manager, collaborating closely with the East Africa Forestry Specialist. The location for this position is Mombasa in Kenya. No relocation or visa sponsorship or assistance is being offered with this position except for local labour employment requirements. This is an initial 2-year term-limited position with an extension of tenure subject to performance and availability of funds.
  
• We’re looking for a passionate and motivated problem-solver. Our team in Africa is dedicated to creatively and innovatively resolve issues related to protecting coastal wetlands, oceans, and climate change. Come join us!
  

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• BA/BS degree in forestry, environmental science, climate, environmental engineering, natural resource management, Law, or related field and 5 years’ experience in natural resource management or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  
• Experience negotiating complex agreements.
  
• Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in writing and verbally.
  
• Supervisory experience, supervising interns, contractors or temporally staff.
  
• Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in spoken and written English.
  
• Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Web Browsers.
  
• Experience with principles of land acquisition and land use in Kenya including legal rights.
  
• Experience in training and curriculum design.
  

Desired Qualifications

• Multi-language skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.  Fluency in Swahili is an added advantage.
  
• Over 7 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education/experience with a strong focus on Mangrove ecology.
  
• Track record of research and publications in reputable scientific journals related to mangrove ecology or the relevant domain.
  
• Experience with statistical analysis and/or remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems.
  
• Proven experience with mangrove ecology and mangrove conservation and restoration.
  
• Familiarity with issues related to nature-based solutions to climate change.
  
• Experience collecting, manipulating, analysing, and interpreting scientific data and preparing reports of findings.
  
• Experience working with local communities, partners, government agencies, and the private sector in Africa.
  
• Demonstrated experience in blue carbon analysis, accounting, and/or expertise in developing Blue Carbon projects, especially in mangroves or other marine habitats.
  
• Experience with Measures, Evaluation, and Learning constructs and implementation.
  
• Experience building and maintaining strategic partnerships with diverse stakeholders.
  
• Experienced in project management skills to support the development and implementation of workplans, grants, contracts, and project budgets.
  
• Demonstrated capacity in taking initiative and working independently or with minimal oversight.
  
• Willingness and ability to undertake extended periods of field travel (at least 40%) domestically and internationally.
  

• The Mangrove Forest Officer will work closely with TNC’s Africa Ocean Strategy Team, Africa Climate Strategy Team, and other TNC staff as appropriate. The position reports to the Africa Fisheries Strategy Manager, collaborating closely with the East Africa Forestry Specialist. The location for this position is Mombasa in Kenya. No relocation or visa sponsorship or assistance is being offered with this position except for local labour employment requirements. This is an initial 2-year term-limited position with an extension of tenure subject to performance and availability of funds.
  
• We’re looking for a passionate and motivated problem-solver. Our team in Africa is dedicated to creatively and innovatively resolve issues related to protecting coastal wetlands, oceans, and climate change. Come join us!
  

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• BA/BS degree in forestry, environmental science, climate, environmental engineering, natural resource management, Law, or related field and 5 years’ experience in natural resource management or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  
• Experience negotiating complex agreements.
  
• Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in writing and verbally.
  
• Supervisory experience, supervising interns, contractors or temporally staff.
  
• Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in spoken and written English.
  
• Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Web Browsers.
  
• Experience with principles of land acquisition and land use in Kenya including legal rights.
  
• Experience in training and curriculum design.
  

Desired Qualifications

• Multi-language skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.  Fluency in Swahili is an added advantage.
  
• Over 7 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education/experience with a strong focus on Mangrove ecology.
  
• Track record of research and publications in reputable scientific journals related to mangrove ecology or the relevant domain.
  
• Experience with statistical analysis and/or remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems.
  
• Proven experience with mangrove ecology and mangrove conservation and restoration.
  
• Familiarity with issues related to nature-based solutions to climate change.
  
• Experience collecting, manipulating, analysing, and interpreting scientific data and preparing reports of findings.
  
• Experience working with local communities, partners, government agencies, and the private sector in Africa.
  
• Demonstrated experience in blue carbon analysis, accounting, and/or expertise in developing Blue Carbon projects, especially in mangroves or other marine habitats.
  
• Experience with Measures, Evaluation, and Learning constructs and implementation.
  
• Experience building and maintaining strategic partnerships with diverse stakeholders.
  
• Experienced in project management skills to support the development and implementation of workplans, grants, contracts, and project budgets.
  
• Demonstrated capacity in taking initiative and working independently or with minimal oversight.
  
• Willingness and ability to undertake extended periods of field travel (at least 40%) domestically and internationally.
  

• Implement the strategic plans for the conservation, restoration, and management of mangrove forest ecosystems in TNC target countries in the Africa program.
  
• Identify regional sites and support the development of blue carbon offset and resilient credit projects to generate sustainable conservation finance, protect biodiversity, and create socio-economic incentives in target countries and sites.
  
• Undertake the mapping of mangrove forest distribution, restoration potential and estimation of their carbon value as an NCS, taking accountability for the development of mangrove conservation and restoration projects based on scientific criteria and local community input.
  
• Support the implementation of NCS research, including impact analysis, co-benefits assessment, and analysis of nature-based climate change mitigation potential with focus on blue carbon ecosystems.
  
• Develop and implement training programs on mangrove restoration and conservation best practices for TNC staff, partners, and local communities.
  
• Engage with policymakers and relevant stakeholders to advocate for and develop policies that support the conservation and sustainable management of mangrove forest ecosystems.
  
• Advance strategic partnerships and networks with relevant agencies, including local communities, academic partners, private sector, and national and international conservation organisations, to create an enabling environment for upscaling mangrove conservation and restoration. 
  
• Support impact assessment of the mangrove conservation and restoration initiatives for adaptive management.
  
• Ensure program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
  
• May supervise volunteers, interns, contractors, or temporary staff.
  
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, in hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.