Office Location:
South Dakota, United States
#LI-HYBRID
This position is ideally based in South Dakota with an emphasis on building relationships with Lakota Nations and People part of the Great Sioux Nation (although other locations may be considered.) This position will also have the ability to travel across the Northern Great Plains (ND, SD, MT, WY, NE) to be in community with Tribal and other partners. Travel domestically (outside the NPG) and/or internationally with the occasional need to work evening and weekend hours can be expected.
Who We Are:
The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.
One of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the people.”
What We Can Achieve Together:
At TNC, our goal is to ethically and effectively support and partner with Tribal Nations and Indigenous Peoples to create a shared future of healthy lands, waters, and communities. The Northern Great Plains (NGP) Tribal Partnership Director will focus on supporting and guiding TNC’s Northern Great Plains Initiative (NGPI) and helping assure TNC is a trusted and effective partner in support of Tribal and Indigenous conservation priorities and Indigenous-led conservation.
As the NGP Tribal Nations Partnership Director, you will be part of our larger NGP team working to grow conservation efforts across the five-state region of MT, ND, NE, SD, and WY. As such, you will serve as TNC’s primary liaison with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities in North Dakota and South Dakota specifically and work closely with TNC staff doing similar work in the NGP. You will also work internally to build capacity for partnerships and work collaboratively with other TNC teams at the multi-state, national, and global levels.
As a leader in the organization, you will be an advisor, thought partner, and resource expert for colleagues leading programs focused on climate change and water and land conservation outcomes. As TNC’s partnership lead for Tribal Nations and Indigenous Peoples in the NGP, you will be a key point of contact with a range of public and private organizations. You will help define priorities, develop strategies, manage projects, and build scientific and/or technical capacity. You may negotiate complex and innovative solutions, agreements and/or partnerships and occasionally support fundraising.
Other Responsibilities Include:
- Evaluate progress and implement TNC’s North American Indigenous Right Relations program pillars:
- Build TNC’s competency and capacity to partner with Indigenous Peoples.
- Support Indigenous Peoples’ voice, choice, and action to advance their authority and improve natural resource policies.
- Work to increase access and use of lands and waters.
- Transform the definition and practice of conservation.
- Work collaboratively on conservation efforts that mutually benefit Tribal Communities and biodiversity.
- Facilitate relationship development and ongoing cultivation with Tribal Nations, Tribal staff, and Indigenous Communities to elevate existing conservation work, and identify new opportunities for partnerships.
- Serve as a resource for internal staff needs within the NGP and potentially more broadly within TNC.
- Represent TNC’s work with Tribal Nations, as well as regional and global partners.
- Work with government relations staff on the development of state and federal policies that benefit Tribal nations.
- Exercise sound judgement to make independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and judgment even when context or information is ambiguous.
This position is ideally based in South Dakota with an emphasis on building relationships with Lakota Nations and People part of the Great Sioux Nation (although other locations may be considered.) This position will also have the ability to travel across the Northern Great Plains (ND, SD, MT, WY, NE) to be in community with Tribal and other partners. Travel domestically (outside the NPG) and/or internationally with the occasional need to work evening and weekend hours can be expected.
This position will not have immediate supervisory responsibilities at this time but may need to plan and direct the work of contractors, volunteers, and/or interns.