Libreville, Gabon

The position will be based at TNC’s office in Libreville, Gabon.

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 includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube or on Glassdoor.

Our 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. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

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 9 countries we operate.

TNC’s work in Africa transcends three key pillars: securing ownership rights to lands and resources for local communities’ people, strengthening leadership and resource management, and helping communities value nature through a holistic appreciation of its benefits while increasing revenue streams for conservation efforts and socioeconomic 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.

TNC’s Africa Oceans Strategy focuses on securing large-scale ocean protection through national debt restructuring and Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) science, known as Blue Bonds, with emphasis on linking science and communities to habitat protection and management. TNC’s work on fisheries aims to safeguard productive marine and freshwater fisheries for ecosystem health and as important foundations of food and livelihood security. Our aim is also to conserve and restore lost or degraded coastal wetlands and to promote best practices to scale. Over more than a decade, TNC has established partnerships with several non-government and government agencies to support fisheries and coastal community-based conservation throughout Africa.

In Gabon, TNC is working collaboratively in support of the country’s ambitious biodiversity conservation and climate mitigation agenda. TNC works across freshwater, ocean and terrestrial ecosystems to protect and sustainably manage critical habitats for species, ecosystems, and carbon stocks. TNC brings science and innovative tools and approaches to inform better decision-making, develops innovative financial mechanisms for long-term sustainability, cultivates strategic partnerships and fosters the need for inclusive, equitable conservation that benefits nature and people.

The Marine Program Manager leads the design, development, and implementation of TNC’s Gabon activities in ocean protection across the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Gabon. They advance TNC’s role in Gabon’s national ocean conservation agenda by providing technical and scientific support to advance the Ocean Protection Strategy goals under TNC’s Shared Conservation Agenda. They establish the Conservancy as a major conservation partner within the marine community of Gabon and the broader Gulf of Guinea region. They help define conservation priorities and long-term conservation strategies for TNC’s local engagements, build strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field and develop key partnerships with public and private organizations to identify and resolve marine technical issues and to communicate solutions and best practices widely.

They manage all aspects of TNC’s work in support of protection, science, stewardship, and community relations for Gabon’s coastal and marine areas. They serve as the principle contact to government agencies, other conservation organizations, foundations and the academic community regarding TNC’s Marine Program in Gabon. They oversee TNC’s role in guiding MSP, Marine Protected Area management, coastal community-led conservation approaches, and sustainable fisheries interventions as part of TNC’s Blue Bonds Project in Gabon. They work with the TNC Gabon Country Program, closely and in collaboration with the Africa Ocean Strategy team and other TNC staff as appropriate towards conservation outcomes within the Gulf of Guinea and other connected ecosystems within the EEZ. The strategic focus is securing large-scale ocean protection through marine spatial planning and developing durable management capacity for implementation through the development of innovative sustainable financing and partnerships.

The Marine Program Manager manages the design and implementation of marine conservation interventions in Gabon and works closely with implementing partners, particularly within the Government of Gabon.  They will work with all stakeholders to define ocean conservation priorities and long-term conservation strategies. The position will build scientific and technical capacity and develop key partnerships with public and private organizations to identify and resolve technical issues and to promote integration of best practices.  They will have experience facilitating and leading multiple objective planning processes and working across matrixed organizations in the Africa Region. They will report to the Gabon Country Director within the TNC Gabon Country Program with a dotted reporting line to the Africa Ocean Strategy Director. The position will be based at TNC’s office in Libreville, Gabon.

The responsibilities and scope for this position are:

• Lead TNC’s efforts in supporting the Government of Gabon on:
  •  updating Gabon’s Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) through a stakeholder-driven process;
  • Advancing sustainable fisheries interventions, including large-scale fisheries electronic monitoring activities, coastal fisheries reforms; and
  • Building fisheries and ocean governance with a focus on addressing Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, including developing a National Plan of Action for IUU (NPOA-IUU) fishing for coastal and marine fisheries in Gabon.
• Manage the Gabon Marine Program’s activities, consistent with the TNC Gabon Country Program Strategy and the Africa Oceans strategy.
• Advance marine conservation outcomes in support of national ocean conservation commitments working collaboratively with TNC’s regional and global teams (e.g. Nature Bonds, Ocean Planning and Mapping, Sustainable Fisheries), and the Gabon country team.
• Liaise with the Government of Gabon, including relevant departments and agencies involved with ocean and coastal management, to advance outcomes associated with national ocean conservation goals.
• Manage complex projects, including developing and tracking tight workplans, managing budgets and expenses, building relationships, and developing, and contributing to reports, among others.
• Lead efforts to create and advance community-based strategies for better-managed coastal and marine areas.
• Build cooperation and maintain strategic partnerships with key parties working in the marine space, including government agencies, local and international NGOs, community groups, private and academic institutions, to accomplish program goals.
• Contribute to developing reports, presentations, and assessments on related topics, as well as internal and external communications materials that reflect the program’s objectives and priorities.
• Lead and manage the Gabon Marine Program, including supervisory responsibilities.
• Work within a budget to complete projects, negotiate and manage contracts with vendors and assist with budget development.
• Support fundraising by contributing to proposals and representing the TNC Gabon Program where/when needed.
• Potentially work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, in difficult and hazardous working locations and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Frequently make independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and context.

• BA/BS degree in Ecology, Marine Science, Environmental Science, Fisheries Management, Biology, Conservation Biology or other equivalent marine/conservation qualification and 5 years

        experience managing complex or multiple projects under deadlines.

• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
• Experience in developing and maintaining partnerships with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
• Experience in Negotiations.

• 5-7 years’ experience in conservation practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated. Fluency in French is required.  Basic English speaking, writing, and reading skills are required.
• Familiarity with Gabon’s coastal and marine ecosystems, communities, and related governance systems.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in marine conservation, especially within the region.
• Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives or related field.
• Experience with marine conservation initiatives, including stakeholder engagement processes and implementation of ocean protection projects.
• Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans.
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising.
• Demonstrated passion for oceans and marine protection.
• Politically savvy.

Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become 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, we impact conservation throughout the world!

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, retirement pension stipend, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work wellbeing benefits. Learn more about our benefits at in the on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellbeing, and flexibility needs of the people we employ!

This description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for this job.

Our Competencies:

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 cultures. 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 orientations, gender identities, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
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 [email protected] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

To apply for job ID 55183, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at by 11:59 PM EST on 06.16.2023 Need help applying? Visit our page or contact .

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.

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

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. to match your military experience with our current job openings!

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.

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.