Conservation Contracts Specialist

What We:

Can Achieve Together: The Conservation Contracts Specialist will work on strategic priorities of the North Carolina Business Unit’s Conservation Team, through efficient administrative support of contracts. The types of contractual and financial agreements within the scope of this job include but are not limited to contracts for services, public and private grant sub-awards, other money out agreements, task orders, and related amendments.

The Conservation Contracts Specialist will complete an internal training program to become a “Certified Contracts Specialist” and participate in recertification training and community-of-practice discussions and meetings. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS The primary role of the Conservation Contracts Specialist is to serve as a resource to Conservation Project Managers by coordinating all aspects of the lifecycle for contracts and other financial agreements.

They will develop, review, manage, and track contracts and other agreements. They will ensure that contracts and agreements comply with TNC’s policies and procedures, as well as external

requirements:

The Conservation Contracts Specialist will communicate with staff in various programs across the Conservancy, as well as with vendors, consultants, partners, and business relations. The North Carolina Business Unit has a high volume of contracts and grants, and this position will be embedded in the Conservation Team to streamline workflow and improve effectiveness.

To better serve programmatic needs, the Conservation Contracts Specialist will have a broad understanding of conservation and stay informed of TNC’s conservation projects and programs. Specific

responsibilities:

of the Conservation Contracts Specialist include: Advising Project Managers on

requirements:

for contracts and agreements, including the necessary forms, approvals, and reviews.

• Assisting Project Managers with financial administration of contracts, agreements, grants, and sub-awards including preparing and monitoring budgets.

Drafting contracts and agreements with input from Project Managers, using available templates.

• Assessing risk factors and reviewing contract documents for reasonableness, thoroughness, and accuracy.

Acting as the primary liaison for communication between Conservation Project Managers, Finance, Legal, and Grant Specialists, including circulating contracts and other essential documents for approvals and signatures. Working directly with vendors, consultants, grantees, and partners to support requests for proposals and bids, obtain required forms and information, and coordinate efficient payment of invoices.

• Maintaining internal auditable files for each contract with required documentation to ensure they are complete and in compliance with TNC’s standard operating procedures.
• Maintaining a database to track information, approvals, deadlines, and payment schedules related to contracts and agreements.

Determining if a contract amendment is needed based on various factors related to the work and implementing steps to draft amendments and obtain approvals. Closing out contracts and agreements by confirming that all tasks and deliverables are complete, and the final payment is made. Communicating or distributing information to assist Conservation staff in making decisions, solving problems, and improving workflow.

Providing guidance, training, and/or materials to Conservation staff related to compliance with standard operating procedures and best practices for contracts and agreements.

• Assisting Conservation staff with other contract-related administrative tasks, as needed, such as responding to inquiries, processing forms, creating reports and program materials, drafting correspondence, planning meetings, and supporting hiring and training.

Work is primarily in an office or home office and involves little to no exposure to outdoor settings and infrequent minor physical exertion. This position may occasionally require travel and working flexible hours as needed. The position is full-time for a three-year term subject to renewal based on available funding.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

& SCOPE Work within scope of program’s strategic goals; Act independently on assigned tasks and exercise independent judgment based on analysis and

experience:

, referring difficult questions and unusual problems to supervisor; Coordinate projects with several variables, working within a defined timeline and budget; Demonstrate sensitivity in handling confidential information; Perform non-routine analysis, research and follow-through; Ensure compliance with Conservancy policies and procedures, and external (donor/legal/IRS)

requirements:

; Financial responsibility includes purchasing, processing invoices, contracting with vendors, and assisting with budget preparation; May act as a resource to others to solve problems and act in supervisor’s stead when instructed; Provide input through project teams for the improvement of existing programs; Travel and work flexible hours as needed; Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain; and Work is diversified and may not always fall under established practices and guidelines.

We’re Looking for You: Are you looking for work you can believe in? At TNC we strive to embody a philosophy of Work that You Can Believe in where you can feel like you are making a difference every day. We’re looking for someone with strong

experience:

in leading a diverse, multi-disciplinary team. The ideal candidate should have exceptional communication and collaboration

skills:

and

experience:

• designing, organizing, and directing complex projects.

This is an exciting

opportunity:

to contribute to the ongoing mission of conservation by directing and shaping the work of our team!

What You:

’ll Bring: Bachelor’s degree and 2 years related

experience:

or equivalent combination;

Experience:

coordinating administrative processes;

Experience:

generating reports and interpreting data;

Experience:

in business writing, editing, and proofreading;

Experience:

organizing time and managing diverse activities to meet deadlines; and

Experience:

working across teams and communicating with a wide range of people Desired

Qualifications:

Multi-lingual

skills:

and multi-cultural or cross-cultural

experience:

s are appreciated; Knowledge of conservation is appreciated but not required;

Experience:

related to reading, writing, or interpreting contracts, agreements, or other legal documents; Strong organization

skills:

, accuracy, and attention to detail; Ability to analyze information for the purpose of coordinating and planning activities, and solving problems; Ability to use existing technology to achieve desired results; Excellent customer service

skills:

and focus;

Experience:

interpreting guidelines to achieve desired results; and/or; Knowledge of current trends in specific field of contracts and agreements. Salary Information: The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $55,000 – $70,000 or hourly rate. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA.

Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location,

qualifications:

, specific

skills:

, and

experience:

Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment. 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

experience:

s 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.

The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive. Founded in the U.S. through grassroots action in 1951, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world.

Thanks to more than a million members and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and over 400 scientists, we impact conservation in 79 countries and territories: 37 by direct conservation impact and 42 through partners. To conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Our vision is a world where the diversity of life thrives, and people act to conserve nature for its own sake and its ability to fulfill our needs and enrich our lives.