Job Opportunity at Nature Conservancy (TNC), Lake Tanganyika Fisheries Specialist

Position: Lake Tanganyika Fisheries Specialist

WHO WE ARE

Founded in 1951, the Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters, and oceans at unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable.  One of our core values is our commitment to diversity. Therefore, we strive for a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Working in 72 countries, including all 50 United States, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. TNC has offices in South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Gabon, and representation in Botswana and Seychelles.  To learn more, visit http://www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.

Since establishing the Africa Program in 2007, The Nature Conservancy’s vision in Africa is to work towards fostering a sustainable future for people and nature, partnering with indigenous communities across 55 million acres on the continent. Our efforts are firmly rooted in people, leveraging scientific and technical expertise as we collaborate with governments and organizations to conserve and enhance Africa’s shared resources in the nine countries where we operate

TNC’s work in Africa transcends three key pillars: (i) securing ownership rights to lands and resources for indigenous people; (ii) strengthening leadership and resource management; and (iii) helping communities value nature through a holistic appreciation of its benefits while increasing revenue streams for conservation efforts and socio-economic development. Together with our partners, we are witnessing critical milestones in integrated land and fisheries management, ocean and source water protection, energy development and sustainable food production, working together and strengthening our resolve in tackling global challenges such as climate change, habitat and biodiversity loss that stands to adversely impact the nearly 1.4 billion people that share Africa

YOUR POSITION WITH TNC

The Lake Tanganyika Fisheries Specialist supports The Nature Conservancy’s Lake Tanganyika Fisheries Director in advancing fisheries co-management and nearshore biodiversity conservation with a range of community, government, and non-governmental partners. This includes planning and implementation of TNC-led conservation work along the Tanzanian shoreline outside of the Tuungane Project area where TNC has been investing for the last decade.

Reporting to the Lake Tanganyika Fisheries Director and working closely with Tuungane Fisheries Manager, Tuungane M&E officer, Africa Monitoring and Evaluation Director, Africa Freshwater Protection Strategy leadership, and Global Freshwater Community-based Conservation Team, the position will be based in the Rukwa Region of Tanzania and may involve significant domestic and international travels. No employment visas or assistance is being offered with this position except for the local labor employment requirements.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Lake Tanganyika Fisheries and Monitoring Specialist is responsible for leading implementation of the Lake Tanganyika fisheries strategy south of Tuungane program area in Tanzania. They will support implementation of the Lake Tanganyika Fisheries strategy in collaboration with Lake Tanganyika Authority (LTA), Tuungane program, local communities, District, Regional and National Government leadership including but not limited to government fisheries research and policy institutions in Tanzania on Lake Tanganyika such as Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI) and the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries (MLF). The Lake Tanganyika Fisheries Specialist will also support development and implementation of fisheries co-management and conservation interventions as part of a lake-wide strategy implanted through partners. They manage sustainable fisheries and nearshore biodiversity conservation interventions along the Tanzanian shore, including fisheries reserve protection, collection, analysis and reporting of fisheries data, monitoring, and community relations. They collaborate with local and international partners along the shoreline of Lake Tanganyika to advance replication of Tuungane Project lessons and success models in fisheries conservation to the wider Lake Tanganyika fisheries strategy and ensure smooth and continuous learning exchange within Lake Tanganyika riparian countries.

The Lake Tanganyika Fisheries Specialist will be responsible for supporting the protection of critical nearshore habitats through approaches such as fisheries reserves, sustainable fisheries financing, development of fisheries business enterprise, closure systems, fish stocks monitoring, electronic fish catch assessment surveys (e-CAS), and reporting of lessons learned. They will oversee and manage sustainable fisheries resources management and nearshore biodiversity conservation in Southern Tanzania including all aspects of protection, science, stewardship, and community relations south of the Tuungane Project area.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE

• Support preparation of Lake Tanganyika Fisheries workplan and budgets and implementation of Lake Tanganyika fisheries strategy.
• Support Beach Management Unit (BMU) co-management institution establishment and BMU networking, and foster cross-site learning among BMUs, BMU networks (CFMAs) members and the general community on best fishing and fish processing practices.
• Work with BMUs, CFMAs, Districts and Civil Society Organizations on fisheries CAS data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Collaborate and build relations with Government of Tanzania to ensure appropriate CAS data collection is sustainably advanced to feed into the National Catch Assessment Survey (CAS) database
• Support setting of Lake Tanganyika fisheries CAS objectives and manage their performance through monitoring workplans and budget.
• Support communities towards management and protection of identified critical habitats through fish reserves and protected fish breeding sites (FBS) within local settings; helping them demarcate, zone, and enforce them with closure systems.
• Coordinate with District Local Government Authority (LGA) and private partners to enhance BMU/CFMAs financial sustainability mechanisms including facilitating temporary fisheries closure systems around community FBS and developing fisheries business enterprises.
• Collaborate with research institutions such as TAFIRI to undertake relevant surveys and research on fisheries resources on Lake Tanganyika to address priority fishery management issues.
• Enhance efficiency and biodiversity conservation of Lake Tanganyika fisheries through functioning CFMAs and educating communities and partners on issues of aquaculture initiatives.
• Ensure timely collection and analysis of Lake Tanganyika fisheries and conservation monitoring data and prepare quarterly reports.
• Under minimal supervision, make independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and context.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS degree and 5 years’ experience in inland fisheries management, aquaculture, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in working with community in fisheries resources and collaborative/co-management approaches.
• Experience in fisheries data analysis and reporting.
• Fluent communicator at public and/or media both in writing and verbally in English and Kiswahili.
• Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Web Browsers.
• Certificate and Experience in diving/swimming.
• Experience in preparing and managing budget.
• Experience in writing winning requests for proposal (RFPs) for grant/contract funding for program.
• Ability to frequently travel domestically and/or internationally, evening and weekend hours.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated
• Knowledge of water resource management and conservation science.
• Ability to explain freshwater conservation practices to technical and non-technical audiences
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in freshwater conservation, land management, and natural resource preservation.
• Experience of Electronic Catch Assessment Survey (e-CAS) and Frame Survey, data analysis and reporting
• Completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
• Excellent communication skills via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and Kiswahili.
• Ability to work under minimal supervision, make independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and context.
• Ability to work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances

APPLY NOW

To apply for job ID 51419, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

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 culture. 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 orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

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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 applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

Where legally permissible, TNC requires all new employees to be fully vaccinated and willing to keep up to date with vaccines that protect against COVID-19.   By accepting an offer of employment, you agree to comply with this requirement, unless you are entitled to a legally mandated exemption.

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