Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist

OFFICE LOCATION

This position can based anywhere within the Western US and Canada Division region. This includes the states of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, as well as any Canadian province/territory where TNC is registered (Ontario, Alberta, Northwest Territories).

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

The Western U.S. and Canada (WUSCAN) Division is crucial to TNC’s mission, requiring dynamic processes and systems to achieve TNC’s ambitious 2030 goals. The Division focuses on nine Conservation Priorities, demanding collaborative and collective leadership, action, and resourcing.

The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist (MELS) supports the Division by implementing the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning System. The MELS leads the development of MEL plans and manages a Smartsheet database for each strategy, providing technical support for monitoring and evaluating the nine Division Priorities. They assist Conservancy staff and partners with data collection and analysis, producing periodic reports. The MELS fosters cross-site learning and enhances adaptive management by serving as a resource and trainer for tools that are part of TNC’s Conservation Impact System.

The MELS supports biodiversity and climate strategies, benefiting nature and people across freshwater, forest, coastal, and sagebrush landscapes on both natural and working lands and waters. Through the implementation of an integrated set of guidance and tools, the MELS helps make strategies and projects more effective, accelerating progress towards TNC’s 2030 outcomes.

The MELS is a key member of the Division Conservation Leadership team, reporting to the Conservation Portfolio Director. The position can be based in any Western U.S. state (excluding California) or in a Canadian province/territory where TNC is registered (Ontario, Alberta, Northwest Territories). This is a 2.5-year term position.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU

The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist (MELS) leads the monitoring, evaluation, and learning efforts for the Western U.S. and Canada Division. The MELS supports adaptive management of TNC’s 2030 Goals for biodiversity and climate by leading the development and implementing of MEL plans within the Division.

Working with program and strategy leads, the MELS critically assesses Division Priority program strategies’ Theories of Change, outcomes, intermediate results (IRs), outputs, and inputs/resources in TNC’s conservation data system, the Hub. The MELS leads without authority to ensure programs are on track or that adaptive management adjustments are made to reach the 2030 goals. The MELS collaboratively solves complex problems, monitors and measures project progress throughout their lifecycles, and advises on corrective actions through strategic review, utilizing tools in TNC’s Conservation Impact System.

The MELS also engages in co-learning and collaborative problem-solving with an emerging network of MEL Leads across TNC.

Responsibilities & Scope

• Oversee the Western U.S. and Canada Division MEL program
• Support the development and adoption of MEL plans for Division Priorities
• Develop and maintain monitoring database, preferably through Smartsheet
• Tracks Division Priority outputs on a quarterly basis, provides summary reports on progress towards targets, and assesses progress in the organization’s central progress tracking system called the Hub, ensuring the integrity of both data collection and data management.
• Be the main point of contact for the Western Division on how outcomes are defined and measured by TNC
• Works with science and conservation staff throughout the Division.
• Partner with staff and external experts to design, procure, or implement solutions to meet MEL requirements.
• Support Division Priority and BU conservation managers with region-wide data, findings, and insights from MEL activities
• Ensure alignment or co- learning between MEL in Western Division, North America Region, and global MEL-related programs or policies.
• Under limited supervision, acts independently, resolves complex issues within the program area and acts as a resource to others.
• Communicate and present technical concepts, data insights, and results to a wide range of internal and external audiences.
• May participate in and/or lead a cross functional team.
• May manage a grant, contract or write a request for proposal
• Must be willing and able to travel.
  
  

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field and 7-12 years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in Monitoring and project evaluation.
• Database management experience.
• Experience in developing and managing multiple projects.
• Experience writing project progress reports.
• Experience training or leading staff in learning new systems, methods, frameworks or processes.
• Comfortable working in a complex, highly matrixed and decentralized organization.
• Experience completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
• Experience with communication via written, spoken, and graphical means in English.
• Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.
• Experience using software applications for project and data management such as Smartsheet, Asana, etc.
  
  

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 on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

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

SALARY INFORMATION

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $71,500 – $101,000 for annual base salary. 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. The estimated salary range for candidates whose country of employment is Canada is $102,000 - $108,500 CAD annually. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment and candidates who are invited to be part of our interview process will be provided a salary range specific to their particular location.

APPLY NOW

To apply for job ID 56254 , submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ . Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org .

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character 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.

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.