The Indigenous Partnerships Lead (NZ & AP) plays a critical role in enabling delivery of TNC’s strategic objectives and goals, especially through the transformative practice of supporting indigenous people’s leadership in conservation.

The role supports TNC Aotearoa NZ’s work by supporting the development and maintenance of strong relationships with iwi, hapū, Māori organizations, and other Indigenous partners across the Asia Pacific. Working in collaboration with program managers in TNC Aotearoa and Asia-Pacific teams, the Lead strengthens TNC’s cultural capability and ensures Indigenous perspectives and knowledge systems are reflected in conservation and climate strategies and practices. The role also contributes to the Asia Pacific region in strengthening and advancing Indigenous Peoples and Local Community (IP&LC)-led conservation by helping to shape a stronger, more connected, and more coherent approaches to IP&LC-led conservation across the Asia Pacific region. The role will not be the owner or gate-keeper of relationships between TNC and indigenous partners, but is there to facilitate TNC becoming a better partner and being more effective in our support.


We are looking for you:

Are you looking for a career to help people and nature? Guided by science, TNC creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together. We’re looking for someone who is passionate, motivated problem-solver. Come join TNC and apply today!

Māori Engagement Across TNC Aotearoa NZ Projects

• Support TNC NZ programmes to engage effectively with iwi, hapū, whānau, and Māori entities on a case‑by‑case basis.

• Provide advice on tikanga, te reo, and culturally grounded approaches to conservation work.

• Assist in developing culturally appropriate engagement processes and tools.

• Identify potential partners, facilitate introductions, and support long-term, values-based relationship building, including but not limited to drafting partnering documents (e.g., MOUs, engagement plans) reflecting Indigenous governance systems, coordinating meetings, correspondence, site visits, and other relationship‑building activities.

Cultural Capability Development within TNC Aotearoa NZ

• Support TNC Aotearoa NZ staff to strengthen cultural competence in engaging with iwi and Māori communities.

• Provide guidance on tikanga, te reo Māori use, and cultural safety practices.

• Connect with TNC global Indigenous networks and share insights, resources, and best practices.

• Support development of internal guidance documents, cultural protocols, and training sessions.

Additional Business Unit Support

• Document key outcomes, feedback, and learnings on cultural capabilities development and IPLC related program implementation for internal reporting and future programming.

• Assess compliance with TNC expectations for engagement with indigenous peoples and recommend any changes needed to meet these expectations.

• Provide analysis and preparation of written materials including memos, presentations, and reports.

• Assist with budget inputs and basic financial tracking associated with Indigenous engagement activities.

• Contribute to fundraising or resourcing efforts where Indigenous engagement is relevant.

Asia Pacific Region

• Support the mapping, development and cultivation of relationships with Indigenous Peoples organizations, networks, and leaders across Asia Pacific region.

• Prepare and maintain a database of potential partners consisting of partner summaries, background briefs, and opportunities for collaboration.

• Facilitate regular cross-country learning exchanges (eg regular calls, webinars, peer-to-peer sessions), gather and document lessons learnt for sharing across country programs.

• Support coordination and communication between regional team and the global team, ensuring Asia Pacific perspective and needs are represented.

• Support regional level meetings, workshops, virtual engagement and other events related to IPLC, including agenda/program development, logistics and communications.

• Bachelor’s degree and 4 years’ experience in the functional field, or equivalent.

• Fluency in English and te reo Māori.

• Experience working with iwi, hapū, whānau.

• Knowledge of tikanga Māori and Indigenous governance systems.

• Experience in designing, implementing, and directing multiple complex projects and ensuring program accountability.

• Communications experience including preparing and presenting project proposals and developing written communications.

• Experience negotiating with other agencies, companies, private parties, or related entities.

• Ability to make sound decisions based on analysis, consultation with others, experience, and judgment

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience working with AP cultures other than Western and Māori.

• Additional Pacific or Indigenous language capability.

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

• Demonstrated knowledge of the functional needs and practices of the pertinent region.

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 competitive and comprehensive benefits packages tailored to the individual countries where we work. These may include health care benefits, retirement benefits, parental leave, paid time off, life insurance, and disability coverage as well as an employee assistance program and other life and well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports 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.

Employees must submit their application by logging into Workday and applying via the Jobs Hub.

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.

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.