What We Can Achieve Together:

The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist serves within the Global Protect Oceans, Lands, and Waters Business Unit, supporting two of TNC’s leading initiatives: Nature Bonds and Project Finance for Permanence (PFP). This role is responsible for development and management of a MEL framework to support project-specific monitoring, evaluation, and learning deliverables, as well as overseeing reporting across both program portfolios under implementation. The Specialist collaborates with staff from science, Nature Bonds and PFP programs, governments, and CTF partners to develop and implement a comprehensive MEL framework and systems to measure the portfolio conservation impact. They offer guidance at the project level, working closely with scientific and project teams to refine and monitor program metrics.

Key responsibilities include tracking and reporting on the overall portfolio under implementation relative to specific projects conservation commitments and monitoring progress towards outcome indicator targets. The MEL Specialist coordinates processes across local programs, partner organizations, and agencies to foster consistent understanding of a MEL framework and indicators, ensure timely information collection and filing, and digest, prepare and submit progress reports. They ensure that MEL activities support ongoing learning and adaptive management, they will work on drawing on data analysis to inform the project conservation and monitoring progress. Additionally, the Specialist ensures that activities achieve intended outputs and outcomes efficiently and within established timelines, promptly escalating any challenges encountered to the Implementation Portfolio Lead and Implementation Unit members. The MEL Specialist actively participates in team discussions focused on adaptive management.

May involve domestic and international travel of 25%. This is a 2-year fixed-term position with possibility of extension based on funding and project needs.

We’re Looking for You:

We’re looking for someone with strong experience in supporting a multi-disciplinary team. The ideal candidate should have exceptional communication and collaboration skills and experience designing, organizing, and directing complex projects. They will be comfortable serving as a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning subject matter expert on our team.

The MEL Specialist develops and maintains systems to collect and analyze information on outputs and outcomes of the projects. They manage the project’s core MEL needs as well as monitor safeguards requirements and implement these functions in accordance with the commitments to and requirements of TNC.

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in conservation, public policy, international relations, or related field and 4 years related experience, or equivalent combination.

• Experience leading complex projects or strategic initiatives in an unstructured environment.

• Experience coordinating and working with cross-functional teams.

• Experience researching, critically analyzing, and evaluating information from divergent sources and compiling it into cohesive reports and recommendations for strategy and action.

Desired Qualifications

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated

• Master’s degree.

• Excellent report writing, analytical and communication skills, knowledge management and dissemination of findings to different audiences.

• Experience with complex project monitoring and evaluation processes, indicators, data quality control and reporting requirements.

• Experience developing MEL frameworks in close collaboration with a wide range of partners and cross-functional teams.

• Experience incorporating project learning into adaptive management and knowledge management systems.

• Experience with strengthening local organizations and building local capacities for MEL.

• Experience with the application of environmental and social safeguards in project management is advantageous.

• Ability to write and speak in a language other than English, such as Spanish, Portuguese, or French, highly desirable.

This position may be based in any country where TNC has an established entity, taking into consideration legal restrictions, such as non-national ratios and immigration processing times. For U.S. based applicants only, the starting pay range for this position is generally within the range of $75,500 to $100,700 for annual base salary and is based on location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. For all other applicants, pay ranges will be in local currency, the pay range will be based on the local labor market, and not tied to the above pay range. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment and used to determine your actual pay range. Additionally, for all applicants, actual pay will fall within a range based on a variety of factors including, for example, the candidate’s qualifications, specific skills, and experience.

Who We Are:

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 include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

One 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. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”

What We Bring:

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into 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 and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization 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. Military Skills Translator 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 applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.