Website The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
Global Director, Indigenous and Community Leadership in Conservation (ICLC) Job Vacancy at The Nature Conservancy (TNC) – August 2026
Position: Global Director, Indigenous and Community Leadership in Conservation (ICLC)
Organisation: The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
Job Type: Full-Time
Work Location: Remote (Can be based in any country where TNC has an established entity)
Travel Requirement: Up to 25% of total time
Application Deadline: Apply as soon as possible (rolling recruitment process)
About The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global conservation organisation whose mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. Through science-based approaches and partnerships, TNC develops innovative solutions to address global environmental challenges while promoting a world where people and nature thrive.
TNC values inclusion, diversity, and collaboration, working with communities, governments, donors, and partners worldwide to achieve lasting conservation outcomes.
About the Role
The Global Director, Indigenous and Community Leadership in Conservation (ICLC) is a strategic leadership role responsible for advancing Indigenous and community leadership as a transformative practice across TNC’s global conservation programmes.
Reporting to the Global Managing Director, Equitable Conservation, the Director will lead a global team and work across regional, country, and global teams to integrate equitable, community-led conservation approaches throughout the organisation.
The role focuses on strengthening partnerships with Indigenous Peoples, Tribal Nations, and local communities while advancing rights-based conservation, governance, financing, and systems change.
Key Responsibilities
Global Strategy & Transformation
- Lead and evolve TNC’s global ICLC strategy.
- Ensure alignment with organisational priorities and global conservation movements.
- Translate strategic vision into:
- Action frameworks
- Partnerships
- Investments
- Evaluation approaches
- Integrate Indigenous and community leadership into conservation, climate, and policy programmes.
- Influence high-level organisational decision-making.
Systems Change & Organisational Influence
- Embed Indigenous and community leadership into TNC’s programmes and strategies.
- Advance approaches related to:
- Governance
- Decision-making
- Funding mechanisms
- External partnerships
- Position ICLC as a driver of conservation impact and organisational transformation.
- Strengthen organisational capacity to work effectively with Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
Team Leadership & Capacity Building
- Lead and manage a global, multidisciplinary team of approximately six staff members.
- Build an inclusive, high-performing team culture.
- Serve on:
- Conservation Leadership Team
- Equitable Conservation Leadership Team
- Provide expertise on Indigenous-led conservation approaches.
- Develop succession planning for ICLC leadership.
Partnerships & External Leadership
- Act as a global spokesperson and thought leader on Indigenous and community-led conservation.
- Build partnerships with:
- Indigenous leaders
- Community organisations
- NGOs
- Multilateral organisations
- Funders
- Represent TNC at global conservation and climate forums.
- Influence broader conservation practices and policies.
Resource Mobilisation & Programme Delivery
- Support global fundraising and donor engagement strategies.
- Align resources with ICLC priorities.
- Ensure effective programme delivery and measurable conservation results.
Cross-Organisational Leadership
- Collaborate with TNC teams including:
- Global Protect
- Provide
- Climate
- Science
- Policy
- Public Funding
- Impact Finance and Markets
- Lead enterprise-wide initiatives.
- Ensure alignment between global strategies and regional implementation.
Required Qualifications & Experience
Applicants should have:
- Bachelor’s degree.
- Minimum 7 years of leadership experience in:
- Conservation
- Non-profit sector
- Advocacy
- Related fields
- Majority of experience gained outside the United States, especially within the Global South.
- Experience managing global, multidisciplinary teams.
- Experience working in global, matrixed organisations.
- Strong written and verbal English communication skills.
- Experience supervising staff or leading projects.
- Executive-level decision-making ability.
- Experience communicating with:
- Donors
- Board members
- Employees
- Government representatives
- External partners
Desired Qualifications
Preferred candidates will have:
- Master’s degree.
- Minimum 10+ years of leadership experience in conservation, advocacy, Indigenous governance, or related areas.
- Deep expertise in:
- Indigenous rights
- Community leadership
- Governance
- Equitable conservation
- Extensive experience managing large multidisciplinary teams.
- Proven ability to influence organisational strategies and systems.
- Strong fundraising and budget management experience.
- Experience motivating teams and achieving organisational goals.
- Strong analytical, operational, and implementation skills.
- Ability to work effectively across diverse cultures and regions.
Key Competencies
Successful candidates should demonstrate:
- Visionary and strategic leadership.
- Strong ethical standards.
- Excellent relationship-building skills.
- Ability to influence global stakeholders.
- Strong communication and presentation skills.
- Cultural awareness and global literacy.
- Ability to work independently in a decentralised organisation.
- Strong organisational and problem-solving skills.
Salary Information
For applicants based in the United States, the starting salary range is generally:
USD $122,000 – $180,000 annually
For applicants based in other countries, compensation will be determined according to the local labour market and location.
How to Apply
Interested candidates must submit their application through TNC’s official recruitment platform:
Application Method: Apply via Workday Jobs Hub
Applicants are encouraged to apply early as applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The position may be removed once a strong candidate pool has been identified.
Equal Opportunity Statement
The Nature Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, inclusion, and creating an environment where people from all backgrounds can contribute to its conservation mission.
TNC encourages applications from individuals of all cultures, regions, identities, abilities, and backgrounds.
Job Type: Full-Time
Organisation: The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
Position: Global Director, Indigenous and Community Leadership in Conservation (ICLC)
To apply for this job please visit nature.wd108.myworkdayjobs.com.