Career Opportunity at Conservation International

East African Director

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

POSITION SUMMARY – This position is based in Nairobi, Kenya

The East Africa Director is responsible for providing strategic oversight and programmatic direction for a program as well as effective and timely program delivery in the Eastern Africa Region. They are responsible for overall program management and ensuring that program strategies, initiatives, and outcomes advance Conservation International’s (CI’s) human development and conservation priorities.  Duties are diverse and include designing and implementing program and conservation strategies, project management, technical oversight and monitoring, and capacity building. The Director ensures compliance with CI policies, program and funding agreements, and local requirements.

The East Africa Director plays a key role in securing program funding, driving the implementation in the region, developing project proposals, and managing funding relationships with key partners.  They regularly represent CI and build alliances and engage key external stakeholders including government and non-government officials, donors, and other parties critical to program success. The Director works closely with staff throughout CI to ensure the program forms an integral part of achieving organization-wide goals.  They identify capacity gaps and implement measures to build capacity both internally and with external partners.

The Director directly manages staff, interdisciplinary teams, and/or outside partners. They work with a high degree of independence.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Responsibilities

• Develop program strategies, objectives, work plans, and metrics.
• Provide strategic oversight, team leadership, and accountability to effectively implement and evaluate program activities and ensure high-impact outputs.
• Position CI appropriately in Kenya and the East African region
• Lead a multidisciplinary team by fostering effective communication strategies, creating a collaborative work environment, and instilling organizational values.
• Monitor, measure, interpret, and share results on a regular basis.  Distribute Technical and progress reports; identify and implement refinements in work plans and strategies.
• Work across units to ensure that program activities are aligned with CI’s conservation and division priorities.
• Ensure program compliance with CI policies, funding agreements, and local requirements.
• Identify capacity-building needs.  Implement and monitor efforts to address capacity gaps.
• Ensure efficient delivery of projects whilst supervising the project managers to ensure delivery of planned results.
• Lead information sharing and cross-collaboration.  Build stakeholder understanding and support through proactive communication efforts including fact sheets, statistics, and related communication materials.
• Hold conferences and other learning events to share best practices and lessons learned.
• Effectively engage stakeholders including donors, government and NGOs, technical colleagues, and other partners important to program success.
• Lead policy engagements with government and key stakeholders
• Represent the organization externally.  Serve as a trusted and visible point of contact for CI.
• Identify opportunities for program growth and development.
• Identify and assess information or issues that affect the organization internally and externally.
• Play a lead role in ensuring program financial sustainability by identifying funding opportunities, i.e. regularly partner with CI staff on funding proposals and regional/global fundraising efforts as well as resource mobilization strategies.

People and Resource Management Responsibilities:

• Directly supervise program and project staff, including overseeing the work of external partners.
• Manage the program’s budget and finances.
• Manage public or private funds; ensure compliance with donor requirements and CI policies.

Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Local and/or international travel of 30% or more, often in difficult travel conditions.
• Ability to work in remote locations or under difficult working conditions.
• This position follows a hybrid work structure, working some days from the office and some remotely. Guidance will be shared during the interview process.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s Degree in Arts/Science or related field and 7 years or more related work experience.
• Senior-level program or project management experience, preferably in the global conservation, NGO, advocacy or related for-profit arena.
• Experience designing, implementing, and directing complex or multiple projects including managing finances, supervising multidisciplinary professionals and coordinating with various stakeholders.
• 2 or more years of experience supervising others including multi-disciplinary teams.
• Excellent technical and analytical skills.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Team player and able to work effectively with diverse work groups in a multicultural environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• A record of success in influencing and partnering with key stakeholders and raising funds.
• Proven ability to multitask and meet priorities.  Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and under minimal supervision.
• Strong understanding of general local laws and regulations
• Fluency in English is required.

Preferred

• Advanced university, Master’s, MBA, or doctorate will be an added advantage.
• Preferred experience working with open standards or other project management tools.
• Preferred experience with/ knowledge of the natural capital protocol or other priority setting/ land use decision-making tools.

To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE