A LITTLE ABOUT US

Founded in 1951, the Nature Conservancy 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. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.

YOUR POSITION WITH TNC

The Senior Strategic Policy Advisor – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice provides strategic leadership and coordination in TNC policy engagement, working closely with our External Affairs leadership teams and other government relations leaders, to ensure TNC’s global policy, as well as U.S. policies and external affairs, address national and global issues equitably as they affect various communities. Working closely with our External Affairs teams, the Senior Strategic Advisor leads and partners on developing strategic policy goals and policy design and enhancing external relationships in the areas of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ). This position reports directly to the Chief External Affairs Officer and is a member of the External Affairs management team.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Collaborating with our External Affairs teams, the Senior Strategic Advisor works with national and/or international government and other organizations to further the Conservancy’s mission and to enhance the External Affairs unit in incorporating Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) ideals and practices into our policy and advocacy efforts. A primary focus will be guiding policy teams to ensure the inclusion of these values in all policies that we support or develop. Duties include regular contact with country-level and multilateral officials, institutions and/or other representatives, in coordination with our External Affairs (XA) leadership teams, as well as with internal networks regarding DEIJ actions related to the mission of The Nature Conservancy. The Senior Strategic Advisor represents The Nature Conservancy before external partners and engages key public and private officials to increase support for TNC’s mission and programs. They also participate in the organization’s DEIJ Policy Committee.

External Affairs at The Nature Conservancy

Transformational outcomes for conservation and climate solutions depend upon catalytic policy changes—globally, regionally, nationally, and locally—as well as fundamental changes in corporate practices and innovations in conservation finance. The need for transformational change is unfolding amid crisis, challenges, and opportunities as we strive to address climate change and sustain healthy lands, oceans, and waters, including by providing food and water sustainability. Our policy agenda—global to local—as well as our corporate engagement and impact investing are catalyzing policies and innovative financing and advancing corporate actions that strengthen linkages among economic, social and environmental benefits with two thematic priorities: (1) augment climate policies that enhance emission reductions and resilience; (2) advance conservation outcomes through policies and corporate practices that enable investment in nature-based solutions and catalyze sustainable provision of food and water. In addition, our policy, corporate engagement and impact investing teams enhance conservation funding.

Our Policy Influence

The Great American Outdoors Act signed into law. The bill, which passed the Senate and House of Representatives in July 2020 with overwhelming, veto-proof bipartisan majorities, fully and permanently funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund at $900 million a year and further invests $1.9 billion annually for the next five years toward maintenance in national parks, other public lands and at the Bureau of Indian Education.

Led a briefing for the bipartisan Senate Climate Solutions Caucus on Natural Climate Solutions (NCS). Lynn Scarlett was joined by representatives form International Paper and Walmart to discuss the role NCS can play in meeting climate goals, highlighting TNC’s science as well as policy areas that could help drive deployment of NCS.

Jen Morris joined CEOs representing 14 corporations and four environmental NGOs as part of the CEO Climate Dialogue “zoom in” on Capitol Hill, meeting with House and Senate legislators on both sides of the aisle to discuss the need for Congress to act now on climate change and enact an economy wide price on carbon.

U.S. Climate Action 50-state strategy impacted clean energy policies in 13 states. For example, the New Mexico Energy Transition Act establishes renewable portfolio goals of 50% by 2030, 85% by 2040, and 100% carbon free by 2050.

Supported 14 winning ballot initiatives in FY21 that will generate $2.2 billion for conservation at the state and local level in the coming decades.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

· Responsible for the strategic and thought leadership in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice for the External Affairs Team.

· Develop and manage a strategic DEIJ plan for the External Affairs business unit.

· Collaborate with XA leadership to identify and advance DEIJ policy and public funding goals.

· Articulate DEIJ goals and objectives in fundraising proposals for the External Affairs Team.

· Ensures the operational implementation and excellence for all DEIJ efforts within the External Affairs Team.

· Engages with and provides overarching guidance to the XA management team on the topic of DEIJ.

· Participates as part of the XA management team on overall operational excellence of External Affairs.

· Responsible for incorporating equity and inclusion insights in all international and U.S. policy work.

· Ensure that all organizational policy priorities embody DEIJ values.

· Educate XA staff on reviewing all current and future policies for DEIJ language and measurable outcomes.

· Network internally with Chief GDEI Officer, members of the GDEI Team as well as the Director of Equitable Conservation. In conjunction with XA Leadership, identity and engage key diverse external partnerships for priority policy goals.

· Ensure all Strategic Advisor activities meet all lobbying, contractual and legal regulations and standards.

· The scope of this position is of a global nature.

· Some travel anticipated; up to 30% of time (global and domestic).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

· Bachelor’s degree and 7 years of related senior-level work experience, including current and evolving political, legislative and conservation trends on a federal and/or multi-state level.

· Fluency in English

· Experience in diversity, equity and inclusion or social justice work.

· Demonstrated experience building strong relationships across an organization and with partners such as corporations, public agencies, donors, and/or volunteers.

· Experience working across diverse teams and senior leadership.

· Experience collaborating with a multi-disciplinary team.

· Experience working with current and evolving political, legislative, sustainability, and/or conservation trends on an international, regional, country or sub-national level.

· Experience in directing or participating in complex negotiations and presenting to and communicating with government officials, corporate executives, board members and others.

· Experience communicating complex processes and ideas effectively to a variety of audiences within and outside an organization.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural experience appreciated.

• Master’s degree appreciated.

• Experience leading diversity, equity and inclusion external affairs initiatives.

• Experience conducting policy research and analysis.

• Experience in public policy, conservation/environmental policy, regulatory advocacy, and public funding.

• Outstanding written and oral communication, negotiating and organizational skills.

• Independent and self-motivated with the ability to participate effectively in a remote team environment.