Portfolio Associate, Project Finance for Permanence (PFP)

Organization: The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
Position: Portfolio Associate, Project Finance for Permanence (PFP)
Location: Global – any country where TNC has an established entity
Employment Type: Full-time
Salary: US applicants: $60,000–$90,000 annually
Travel: Up to 25% domestically and internationally
Reports to: PFP Portfolio Director
Application Deadline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis

About The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global environmental nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the lands and waters upon which all life depends. Since 1951, TNC has developed science-based conservation solutions to address some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.

With more than one million members, over 400 scientists, and a diverse network of staff and partners, the organization works to create a world where people and nature thrive. TNC values respect for people, communities, and cultures and is committed to building an inclusive workplace where employees from diverse backgrounds can contribute to its conservation mission.

About the Opportunity

The Nature Conservancy is seeking a Portfolio Associate, Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) to support its Global Project Finance for Permanence team within the Global Protect Oceans, Lands, and Waters business unit.

The Project Finance for Permanence approach brings together governments, local communities, philanthropic funders, and nongovernmental organizations to secure long-term financing and effective management for networks of conservation areas. Through a single closing agreement, these partnerships aim to establish durable, inclusive, and representative conservation protections.

The Portfolio Associate will support the coordination and management of TNC’s global PFP portfolio, with responsibilities spanning strategic planning, governance, reporting, communications, systems, and resource allocation. The role will also connect the global team with regional and country programs, internal business units, and external partners to improve collaboration, information-sharing, and implementation.

Working under the direction of the PFP Portfolio Director, the successful candidate will help ensure that portfolio priorities are clearly defined, decisions are well informed, resources are coordinated, and progress is effectively monitored and communicated.

This is an opportunity to contribute to global biodiversity and climate goals by strengthening the planning, coordination, and delivery of major conservation initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

1. Portfolio Strategy, Governance and Visibility

• Support portfolio planning and prioritization by coordinating inputs, documentation, decision-making processes, and stakeholder engagement.
• Coordinate governance and leadership processes, including project stage-gate reviews, meeting agendas, briefing materials, decision records, and follow-up actions.
• Manage portfolio communications and maintain visibility into project progress, timelines, emerging opportunities, and leadership decisions.
• Help ensure that portfolio priorities and strategic objectives are aligned across teams and organizational functions.

2. Performance, Reporting and Systems

• Coordinate portfolio reporting and prepare dashboards, progress updates, analyses, briefings, presentations, and reports for leadership, donors, boards, partners, and internal stakeholders.
• Support the maintenance and continuous improvement of portfolio-management systems, tools, templates, procedures, and data-management practices.
• Work with communications, operations, monitoring, evaluation and learning, knowledge management, and other teams to coordinate portfolio information and ensure consistent reporting and messaging.
• Translate complex portfolio information into clear reports, decision-making materials, and actionable recommendations.

3. Coordination and Resource Management

• Facilitate coordination across PFP teams, regional and country programs, the Protect Business Unit, and external partners to strengthen transparency and shared understanding of priorities.
• Support resource allocation and tracking, including budgets, workloads, and team capacity, in collaboration with project managers and finance and operations teams.
• Organize portfolio-related information-sharing forums, presentations, workshops, and planning events.
• Provide project management support for selected initiatives and process improvements, including work plans, meetings, action tracking, deliverables, and implementation activities.
• Travel domestically and internationally as required, potentially up to 25% of the time.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must have:

• A bachelor’s degree in business, finance, policy, resource management, or a related field, together with at least three years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience supporting complex projects and strategic initiatives in an unstructured or changing work environment.
• Analytical and project management experience.

Desired Qualifications

The Nature Conservancy is particularly interested in candidates who demonstrate:

• Multicultural or cross-cultural experience.
• Communications experience, including preparing presentations, drafting program information materials, supporting internal and external events, and managing contracts or contractors involved in producing communications materials.
• The ability to independently develop communications and work plans that align with broader conservation strategies.
• Experience contributing to business plans or major strategic assessments.
• Familiarity with global conservation strategies and initiatives, particularly Project Finance for Permanence.
• A willingness to learn about conservation strategies, economic drivers, management tools, and global affairs.
• Strong teamwork and relationship-building skills, with the ability to collaborate across organizational departments and with external partners.
• Strategic thinking, excellent organizational skills, and proactive problem-solving abilities.
• Attention to detail and the ability to work independently with limited supervision.

The position description is not intended to list every duty or responsibility associated with the role.

Salary and Compensation

For applicants based in the United States, the starting annual base salary generally ranges from $60,000 to $90,000, depending on geographic location, qualifications, relevant skills, and experience.

For applicants employed in other countries, compensation will be determined using the applicable local labor market and paid in the relevant local currency. The US salary range does not apply to positions based outside the United States.

The final salary will depend on factors including the candidate’s location, qualifications, professional skills, and experience.

Benefits and Perks

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive benefits package designed to support employee well-being and professional development. Benefits include:

• Healthcare benefits.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• A 401(k) retirement plan with an 8% employer match.
• Parental leave.
• Accrued paid time off.
• Life insurance and disability coverage.
• An employee assistance program.
• Additional health, well-being, and work-life benefits.
• A flexible work environment that supports employee health and well-being.

For more information, visit TNC’s Benefits and Perks page.

Location and Work Arrangements

The position may be based in any country where The Nature Conservancy has an established legal entity, subject to local employment regulations, immigration requirements, and other legal restrictions.

The successful candidate’s geographic location will be confirmed during recruitment and will determine the applicable salary range and employment arrangements.

Applicants should be prepared for potential domestic and international travel of up to 25%.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their applications through The Nature Conservancy’s official careers platform.

• Official careers website: The Nature Conservancy Careers
• Application process: Search for Portfolio Associate, PFP, open the relevant vacancy, and follow the application instructions.
• Application deadline: Not specified in the provided description.

TNC uses a rolling recruitment process and may remove the vacancy once a strong pool of candidates has been identified. Applicants are therefore encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Current employees: Applications must be submitted by logging into Workday and applying through the Jobs Hub.

Equal Opportunity and Accessibility

The Nature Conservancy is an equal-opportunity employer committed to advancing conservation through the leadership and contributions of people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and communities.

The organization encourages applications regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national or regional origin, age, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Successful applicants must meet TNC’s background-screening requirements.

Candidates with disabilities who require accommodations during the application process may contact applyhelp@tnc.org, using Request for Accommodation as the email subject line.

Military veterans may also use TNC’s US Military Skills Translator to identify relevant transferable skills for current job opportunities.

Why Join The Nature Conservancy?

This role offers the opportunity to support international conservation initiatives that bring together science, finance, governments, local communities, and philanthropic partners. By strengthening portfolio coordination, planning, and accountability, the Portfolio Associate will help advance lasting protections for biodiversity, climate, and people around the world.

Apply early: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position may close once a strong candidate pool has been established.