Freshwater Strategy Director, Asia Pacific

Freshwater Strategy Director for Asia Pacific

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.

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 Nature4

Water 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.

• 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.

• Multi-lingual…