Operations Program Assistant

**OFFICE LOCATION**:
Cape Town, South Africa

This role will be based in our Cape Town Office, Steenberg Office Park

**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 includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube or on Glassdoor.

TNC’s work in Africa transcends three key pillars: securing ownership rights to lands and resources for indigenous people, strengthening leadership and resource management and helping communities value nature through a holistic appreciation of its benefits while increasing revenue streams for conservation efforts and socio-economic development. Together with our partners, we are witnessing critical milestones in integrated land and fisheries management, ocean and source water protection, energy development and sustainable food production, working together and strengthening our resolve in tackling global challenges such as climate change, habitat and biodiversity loss that stands to adversely impact the nearly 1.4 billion people that share Africa.
The South Africa program is one of TNCs newest country programs on the African Continent. Our goal is protecting the rich biodiversity for current and future generations, supporting government in mitigating climate change and building resilient communities. The Greater Cape Town Water Fund (GCTWF) - currently a TNC led initiative - is a leader in developing and implementing strategies to restore catchments, aquatic habitats and systems, address the impacts invasive species and climate change, and build local specialized capacity to work in remote mountainous areas. Informed by the GCTWF business case, the Water Fund activities are designed to avoid water losses as a result of catchment degradation caused by invasive plants, wetland and riparian degradation and unsustainable land management practices. The GCTWF reached the Creation phase - see water fund life cycle - whereby the GCTWF is to be established as an independent legal entity.

**WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER**:
The Operations Program Assistant will work as part of a team within Greater Cape town Water Fund coordinating tasks related to one or more functional activities, such as operations support, procurement, meetings management, special events, training, volunteer programs, etc. The Program Assistant will work towards meeting the strategic priorities of the program by implementing tactics for approved plans and completing day-to-day tasks and activities. They may be responsible for planning and execution of logistics for special events and/or meetings, purchasing, central filing, mailroom operations. and procedures. This position requires travel and working long, and flexible hours as needed.

**WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU**:
The Operations Program Assistant will work as part of a team within the Greater Cape town WaterFund Program, coordinating tasks related to one or more functional activities, such as operations support, minute taking, procurement, meeting management, special events, training, and supporting the GCTWF with administrative tasks.
Perform specific administrative support in the day-to-day decisions within the scope of work assignments and prioritize work independently.
- Work closely with GCTWF manager to update expenditure against budget and deliverable tracking.
- Procurement of equipment, catering or other services required within the GCTWF.
- Accurate tracking and documentation for Invoice Payment processing for the Water Fund.
- Setting up and updating contract management systems with associated supporting documents using software such as smartsheet.
- Updating and improving effectivity of tracking donor deliverables and expenditure as contracts are executed and according to the specifications of each funder.
- Central filing and documentation of all invoices, contracts, compliance documents, deliverables, and reports are kept up to date, and appropriately archived.
- Establishing a coordination system for service providers or visitors that require use of helicopter flights.
- Identify routine problems and utilize existing resources for resolution, referring relevant questions and issues to the supervisor.
- Responsible to take minutes for internal and external meetings, including getting relevant approval of minutes, and timeously sending the minutes and following up on action items.
- Establish and maintain a landowner and stakeholder database and associated filing of relevant agreements and correspondence.

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