Greater Cape Town Water Fund Manager

Who We Are:

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube or on Glassdoor.

Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

Established in 2017, The Nature Conservancy of South Africa, works with government, private sector, NGOs and local communities to protect, improve management and avoid degradation of priority landscapes, freshwater systems and oceans.

The Greater Cape Town Water Fund (GCTWF) – currently a TNC led initiative – is a leader in developing and implementing strategies to restore catchments, aquatic habitats and systems, address the impacts invasive species and climate change, and build local specialized capacity to work in remote mountainous areas. Informed by the GCTWF business case, the Water Fund activities are designed to avoid water losses as a result of catchment degradation caused by invasive plants, wetland and riparian degradation and unsustainable land management practices. The GCTWF reached the Creation phase – see water fund life cycle – whereby the GCTWF is to be established as an independent legal entity.

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Greater Cape Town Fund (GCTWF)Manager provides leadership for all aspects of the GCTWF and aligns the work of the GCTWF with relevant regional and national strategies. The Manager will lead diverse, multi- disciplinary teams, coordinate multi-stakeholder activities, and supervise a team responsible for implementation and coordination of restoration activities.

The Greater Cape Town Water Fund Manager is responsible for strategic planning, operational oversight, resource mobilization, stakeholder engagement, partnership liaison, community engagement and donor relations.

The position will be based at the TNC office in Cape Town, South Africa. The position will report to the country Director South Africa Program and will supervise two (2) Water Fund implementation Coordinators. The role involves frequent travelling domestically and/or internationally, including evening and weekend hours. May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

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. In this role you will

• Responsible for the overall management and performance of the GCTWF, liaise with different stakeholders and report on progress.
• Provide technical and program support to the Greater Cape town water fund Program
• Manage a small team, including performance partnership, professional development, and career planning.
• Liaise with different stakeholders in a manner that is professional, participatory, sensitive to local needs and socio-economic context and engage these individuals and organizations on a regular basis to integrate their feedback into the implementation and progress of the program.
• Establish and maintain optimal standards of performance for the GCTWF while controlling costs and administering budgets.
• Coordinate and direct the preparation of annual budgets and financial forecasts, report variances and ensure sound financial management according to internal standards and policies.
• Develop and oversee the development of the Water Fund’s annual work plans, informed by the GCTWF Business Case, implementation strategy and stakeholder input.
• Responsible for timely delivery of Water Fund workplan targets and goals and sharing any challenges with the Country Director South Africa and the GCTWF board and relevant working groups for collective action and review.
• Promote awareness of the work of the GCTWF, cultivate a network of donors, volunteers and partners.
• Prepare proposals by gathering relevant data to support grant and/or funding proposals, writing drafts, and obtaining approvals.

What You’ll Bring:

• BA/BS degree and 7 years’ experience in conservation practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.
• Experience directing a major program or project of strategic importance, including management/supervision of multi-disciplinary teams and meeting deadlines.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups, corporate sector and/or government agencies.
• Experience with financial oversight and management of project and program budgets.
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Analytical and project management experience. Demonstrated experience in successfully developing and implementing complex projects and implementing strategic program goals.
• Experience in working with NGO partners, and government agencies
• Outstanding project management capabilities.
• Proven communication and presentation skills; ability to persuasively convey the work of the GCTWF to diverse groups government officials, corporate executives, major donors, board members and others who are critical to the GCTWF’s success.
• Experience with writing grant and funding proposals

Desired qualifications

• At least 10 years’ experience in invasive species management or ecological restoration or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Multi- lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Knowledge of methods and standards of invasive species management and ecological restoration practices
• Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and regions.
• Ability to develop practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
• Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives or related field.
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Politically savvy.

What We Bring:

Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff, we impact conservation throughout the world!

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, Gratuity and pension plan including employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work wellbeing benefits. Learn more about our benefits at in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellbeing, and flexibility needs of the people we employ!

This description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for this job.

Our Competencies:

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, gender identities, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [email protected] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.