What We Can Achieve Together:

Freshwater ecosystems around the world are in crisis – pushed to the brink by the climate crisis – resulting in a sharp and long-term decline in water security and biodiversity. Freshwater is central to The Nature Conservancy's 2030 Goals, and to our work in Asia Pacific. At TNC we have set ourselves three ambitious goals to achieve by 2030: Safeguard or restore at least 1 million kilometers of healthy rivers and streams, conserve 30 million hectares of lakes, wetlands, deltas and floodplains, and ensure over 10 million people benefit directly from healthy freshwater ecosystems. Asia Pacific will make a critical contribution to these organizational goals.

Asia Pacific holds significant water resources vital for people and natural ecosystems, and hosts unique freshwater biodiversity that requires urgent action and integrated management approaches. The Nature Conservancy works with a wide range of partners to make transformational changes, orchestrate system-wide approaches, conserve freshwater biodiversity at scale and align investments with the natural infrastructure that underlies water security. Managing water is crucial for sustained economic growth, and to avoid conflicts among water users. Nature's role in water regulation is technically well-understood but vastly underrepresented in spending.

We’re Looking for You:

The Nature Conservancy seeks an innovative leader with deep expertise in freshwater science, biodiversity conservation and/or water resource management to serve as the Freshwater Strategy Director for Asia Pacific. The Freshwater Strategy Director works for the Asia Pacific regional program to develop and support freshwater conservation strategies across the region in close partnership with TNC country and global programs. The Freshwater Strategy Director ensures TNC has an impactful portfolio of freshwater conservation projects in Asia Pacific for resilient watersheds and durable freshwater protection, enhancing, scaling, and innovating from significant existing programs within the region and across the globe. They report to the Asia Pacific Deputy Director of Conservation, but must function well in a decentralized and highly matrixed structure.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

In close collaboration with the Asia Pacific Lead Scientist & Director of Conservation, staff in Country programs, and TNC Global teams, the Asia Pacific Director of Freshwater Conservation designs and supports the implementation of freshwater conservation strategies in the Asia Pacific. This includes both nature-based solutions for water provisioning and regulation, and durable freshwater protection.

They cultivate collaborative working partnerships with the Asia Pacific regional country teams and with other staff across the Conservancy and external partners to increase the pace, scale and impact of our conservation strategies. This includes aligning our work in Asia Pacific with TNC’s global teams and pathways of impact.

They improve freshwater conservation outcomes through supporting and building scientific and technical capacity with country programs in the Asia Pacific. And through refining and strengthening our Theories of Change for freshwater conservation.

They help negotiate innovative solutions with diverse stakeholders, including local communities, government agencies, corporations, and lending institutions.

They ensure freshwater conservation work across the Asia Pacific Region is strongly represented in Asia Pacific’s Portfolio Management approach, and is underpinned by robust monitoring, evaluation and learning programs that report on progress against TNC’s 2030 Goals

They are the focal point in Asia Pacific for TNC’s Nature4Water partnership.

They work closely with regional and global fundraising teams to actively pursue and secure fundraising opportunities that advance freshwater priorities – including TNC’s Forever Freshwater priority geographies in Mongolia and Australia – for Asia Pacific and contribute to TNC 2030 goals. Donor engagement, proposal creation, and partnership development are important parts of their role.

They support internal and external communication about freshwater conservation and represent TNC in both internal and external subject matter forums.

They may manage project budgets and a matrixed team to deliver on projects.

Frequent travel internationally, and occasional evening and weekend hours are required. May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain.

This position is flexible in terms of location within the TNC Asia Pacific region, in countries where TNC may hire staff, including Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore and Solomon Islands. There is no sponsorship for relocation and support for immigration and visa.

What You’ll Bring:

BA/BS degree and 7 years’ experience in conservation practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.
Experience developing freshwater conservation recommendations strongly supported by science.
Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.

Desired Qualifications

Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
7-10 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Masters or PhD in relevant field.
Expert knowledge of current and evolving trends and practices in freshwater conservation, and ability to convert this knowledge into strategies relevant to TNC.
Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing freshwater conservation policy and plans.
Ability to develop practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
Excellent team player with experience working in multi-disciplinary teams, using influence and interpersonal skills, active listening, good judgement, diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships.
Fundraising and grant writing experience.
Collaborative, creative, adaptable, comfortable with ambiguity and risk, and alignment with TNC values.

Salary Information:

Job Family: Conservation

Salary Grade: 8

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 include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

One 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. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience.

What We Bring

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into 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 and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers competitive and comprehensive benefits packages tailored to the individual countries where we work. These may include health care benefits, retirement benefits, parental leave, paid time off, life insurance, and disability coverage as well as an employee assistance program and other life and well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports the health and well-being of the people we employ.

Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.

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

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

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 with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

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