Partnership Associate, Water & Resilience

USA The Nature Conservancy; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nature Conservancy invites applications for the Partnership Associate, Water & Resilience. This role supports policy and corporate practice priorities and tracks decisions affecting conservation goals.

You will build internal networks, coordinate meetings, and assist in influencing outcomes at international, country, sub-national, and local levels. Based in a flexible location with TNC offices worldwide, you will develop partnerships with agencies and industry to advance conservation and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years related experience in business, water resources, or conservation.
• Fluency in English.
• Experience researching from divergent sources into cohesive reporting.
• Experience with policy/corporate initiatives at international or local levels.
• Experience designing and directing multiple complex projects with accountability.
• Communications experience in proposals and writing/editing.
• Experience working with partners/government and corporate sector.

Responsibilities

• Organize DFI trainings on mainstreaming Nature-based Solutions.
• Coordinate teams across the Conservancy to achieve program goals.
• Manage budgets and assist fundraising for local and worldwide conservation.
• Ensure program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
• Work within scope of program’s strategic goals and priorities.
• Develop strategic partnerships with agencies, conservation groups and industry.

Skills

Policy analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Research methods

Communications

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field

Job description

Open until filled

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Impact Finance & Markets Team at The Nature Conservancy provides technical and strategic leadership to create transformational impact with the private sector by translating the value of nature and conservation approaches into actionable, science‑based strategies that can help solve societal challenges. This position sits in the Corporate Engagement (CE) team, one of three business units in the Impact Finance & Markets Division, which provides technical leadership to translate the value of nature and conservation into actionable and standards‑aligned strategies for companies across the world. The Partnership Associate, Water & Resilience plays a key role in programs at the international, country, sub‑national or departmental level to affect public and/or corporate policy to further The Nature Conservancy’s mission. This work supports The Nature Conservancy’s conservation goals for freshwater by leading project teams, designing and delivering project objectives, and serving as liaison and informational contact between The Nature Conservancy and country, sub‑national, local business, private groups, DFIs and/or associations. They will coordinate and manage various program efforts in support of the Conservancy’s work with the various institutions to value and protect vulnerable freshwater ecosystems. They will support the team’s collaborations with DFIs, associations and multinational corporations, including research and analysis, database management, partnership building and internal coordination across various countries and cultures. They will report to the Partnership Advisor, Water & Resilience in the Corporate Engagement Team and will be largely embedded within the Provide Food and Water Priority at the Conservancy.

This is a two year term position, with opportunities to extend based on performance and budget. This position can be based in any country with an established TNC office.

We’re Looking for You:

The Partnership Associate, Water & Resilience provides research and policy analysis in support of The Nature Conservancy’s policy and/or corporate practice priorities and tracks policies and decisions that directly affect conservation goals. They build and facilitate internal networks, coordinate meetings, agendas, and presentations. They provide services that assist in influencing the outcome of policy and/or corporate initiatives at the international, country, sub‑national and local levels. They develop strategic partnerships with relevant agencies, conservation organizations, and industry to advance the organization’s conservation agenda.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Supports the organization of DFI trainings on mainstreaming Nature‑based Solutions into their operations.
• Organizes various teams across the Conservancy and may need to gain cooperation from individuals or groups (inside and outside the Conservancy) over whom there is no direct authority in order to accomplish program goals.
• Financial responsibility to complete projects appropriately and assist with budget development and meeting fundraising goals for local and worldwide conservation.
• Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
• Works within scope of program’s strategic goals.
• Provides research, analysis and project management in support of DFI, association and corporate water and related priorities to influence the outcome of corporate initiatives at the international, country, sub‑national, and local levels.
• May aid with preparation of program materials and templates including, but not limited to, presentations, memos, and other communications.
• Influences the outcome of initiatives at the international, country, sub‑national, and local levels.
• Develops strategic partnerships with relevant agencies, conservation organizations, and/or industry.
• Maintains regular contact with local, sub‑national, country and multinational DFI, association and corporate representatives.
• Helps to keep collaboration details up to date, including scheduling and documentation of meeting outcomes and interactions in internal constituent relationship management database.
• Works independently, working with supervisor as needed.
• May serve as a team leader for assigned projects and coordinate the work of others.

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience in Business, Water Resources Management, Conservation/Environmental Studies, Sustainability, or related field.
• Fluency in English.
• Experience researching information from divergent sources and compiling it into a cohesive reporting structure.
• Experience with policy or corporate initiatives at two or more of the following levels: international, country, sub‑national, or local.
• Experience in designing, implementing, and directing multiple complex projects and ensuring program accountability.
• Communications experience including preparing and presenting project proposals and developing written communications including editing and proofreading.
• Experience working with partners/government agencies and the corporate sector, including presenting to and communicating with government or corporate staff and/or program leadership.

Desired Qualifications:

• Multi‑lingual skills and multi‑cultural experience appreciated.
• Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish would be a strong plus.
• Experience working with Development Finance Institutions and/or experience, coursework, or other training in corporate sustainability, water resources, and conservation.
• Experience building networks or organizational capacity, facilitating informational sessions, increasing internal knowledge and capacity, and identifying key stakeholders.
• Self‑starting, independent worker who can thrive in a decentralized organization with minimal oversight.
• Event management experience.

Salary Information:

This position may be based in any country where TNC has an established entity, taking into consideration legal restrictions, such as non‑national ratios and immigration processing times. For U.S. based applicants only, the starting pay range for this position is generally within the range of $65,000- $92,000 for annual base salary and is based on location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. For all other applicants, pay ranges will be in local currency, the pay range will be based on the local labor market, and not tied to the above pay range. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment and used to determine your actual pay range. Additionally, for all applicants, actual pay will fall within a range based on a variety of factors including, for example, the candidate’s qualifications, specific skills, and experience.

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. Want a better insight to 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.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of 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. 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.

The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive. Founded in the U.S. through grassroots action in 1951, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has grown to become one of the most effective and wide‑reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than a million members and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and over 400 scientists, we impact conservation in 79 countries and territories: 37 by direct conservation impact and 42 through partners. To conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Our vision is a world where the diversity of life thrives, and people act to conserve nature for its own sake and its ability to fulfill our needs and enrich our lives.