The Company

Founded in 1951, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global conservation organisation dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science and local wisdom, they create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together.

Since 2002 TNC Australia has grown significantly, now conducting projects across Australia. Their work focuses on three main biogeographical zones; the Outback (including work with many Indigenous Traditional Owner groups supporting their efforts to manage their Country for its cultural and conservation values); Oceans (including an extensive shellfish reef building program across the bays and estuaries of southern Australia), and the Southern Murray-Darling Basin (including innovative water funds).

About you

TNC’s philosophy is that lasting conservation must actively involve people and partners linked to the natural systems they seek to protect, and their voices must be at the centre of what they do. TNC is continually learning and growing in how they show up as an authentic, ethical and effective conservation partner.

Be part of this incredible team’s ongoing commitment to deep listening, respectful learning and contribution to conserving country and culture as the Indigenous Landscapes Director (Australia). In this role you will lead the growing Indigenous Landscapes team and its work with Indigenous Peoples in northern Australia for cultural, social, economic, and environmental outcomes.

This an opportunity to ensure Traditional Owner wisdom is the guiding voice in restoring, protecting and caring for Country and culture, supported by TNC’s science and capability to deliver on established outcomes. In this role you will understand what’s important to Traditional Owners and bring the resources and knowledge of TNC together with local communities to achieve conservation project outcomes.

To succeed in this role, you’ll bring both a conservation background and either lived experience as an Australian Indigenous or Torres Strait Island person or a deep and genuine understanding of cultural practices and relationships with Traditional Owners. You will also have experience in building relationships to support sources of conservation funding and have led a small team familiar with working with Indigenous communities for conservation outcomes.

The Role

The Indigenous Landscapes Director (Australia), provides leadership, technical and program support to TNC’s work with Indigenous partners particularly in northern Australia. You’ll lead the way in establishing new partnerships to provide even more beneficial outcomes guided by TNC Australia’s Strategic Plan 2022 – 2030.

You will work closely with the Director of Conservation (Australia) and the Policy & Government Relations Director (Australia) to manage contact with government agencies, other conservation organisations, foundations and the academic community in issues related to Indigenous Landscapes. With the support of a small team that you will help build, you will develop your own strategic, scientific, technical, and cultural capacity in this field.

The Indigenous Landscapes Director (Australia) develops key partnerships with public and private organisations to identify and resolve technical issues and to widely communicate solutions and best practices. You will develop innovative scientific and Indigenous knowledge to address the natural system needs and engage local communities in support of local conservation efforts.

Lastly, you will manage your busy workload so that half your time is devoted to your Indigenous Landscapes subject matter expertise, donor relations, and partner relationships, while the other half is split evenly between leadership and management of your team, and the Conservation Management Team responsibilities. The position will also require regular travel, mainly in northern and central parts of Australia.

Responsibilities of the role

• Lead TNC Australia programs and projects throughout Australia where there is an emphasis on Indigenous partnerships, with a particular focus on northern and central Australia.
• Supervise staff including some potentially based at remote locations.
• Establish and maintain optimal performance standards within budget.
• Write requests for proposals for grant/contract funding for Indigenous Landscapes projects.
• Frequently make independent strategic decisions based on analysis, ambiguous information and context.
• Negotiate complex agreements, in a political environment.
• Frequent domestic and occasional international travel. Occasional evening and weekend hours.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Whilst tertiary qualifications are advantageous in this role, the passion you will bring for working with Traditional Owners and conserving Australia’s unique natural environment will be more critical for success in this role. You will be open-minded in your approach to achieving these goals.

Your strong communication and interpersonal skills will make you as comfortable chatting around a campfire as in a corporate setting. You will understand that cultural communication is an ongoing, fluid process to which you can effectively contribute.

Specific skills include:

• BA/BS degree and seven years’ experience in conservation practice, preferably in Indigenous Landscapes or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least three years’ experience in working with First Nations Australians for conservation and other outcomes.
• Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation.
• Experience in negotiating and partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.
• A minimum of one to three years’ supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, objective setting, and managing performance of direct reports and with the team as a whole.
• Highly proficient with the Microsoft Office suite.
• Must have valid driver’s licence.

Desired Qualifications and Experience

• We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• 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.

Travel and location

Readiness and ability to travel nationally, approximately once a month, sometimes for up to a week at a time with occasional international travel (when possible).

Work locations are ideally in the Northern Territory, Queensland or the Kimberley region of Western Australia where an airport is easily accessible. Other mainland capital cities of Australia may be considered.

How to Apply

Apply now by submitting your current CV (in Word format), via our online application process. If you need assistance with your application in any way, please send a note to [email protected] using the subject line: Request for Assistance - Indigenous Landscapes Director - The Nature Conservancy - Flexible Location enquiry via EthicalJobs with Request for Assistance in the subject line.

To obtain the full position description and or to chat about the role further please contact Claire via 0407 821 086.

Please note only applicants who are currently eligible to work in Australia will be considered. The Nature Conservancy cannot provide support for working visas or residency for this position.

Additional information

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including subsidised private health insurance and an employee savings plan including employer contributions. Learn more about TNC's employee benefits at www.nature.org/careers. TNC is proud to offer a work environment that is supportive of the health wellness, and flexibility needs of the people they employ.

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