LOCATION: Nairobi, Kenya CONTRACT: 1 year fixed term
Want to make a positive difference to the future of people and our one shared home, the Earth? Working at WWF could be your opportunity of a lifetime.
All around the world, people are waking up to the deepening crisis of nature loss. A growing realisation that nature is our life-support system. And that nobody will be spared from the impacts of its loss. Here at WWF, we are helping to tackle this enormous global challenge.
Our people come from hugely diverse backgrounds and with a variety of expertise, ranging from HR and finance to advocacy and conservation science. We welcome applications from anyone who believes they can help us create a better future for people and wildlife.
What we do
We are an independent conservation organisation, striving to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and wildlife. From individuals and communities to business and government, we are part of a growing coalition calling on world leaders to set nature on the path to recovery by 2030. Together, we seek to protect and restore natural habitats, stop the mass extinction of wildlife, and make the way we produce and consume sustainable.
1 MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT
To ensure excellence in effective and efficient delivery and monitoring of conservation impact in Africa. Provide the necessary support, coordination, and thought leadership for robust and sustainable conservation impact across countries, regional programmes, transboundary landscapes and the Africa region as a whole.
2 MAJOR FUNCTIONS
1) Strategic Thought Leadership:
Develop strategic and innovative conservation interventions initiatives and strategies aligned with WWFs overall vision and mission, ensuring long-term conservation impact at scale.
Conduct in-depth analyses and assessments of conservation challenges and opportunities within WWF and the conservation sector more broadly, identifying priority areas for intervention and formulating innovative approaches and solutions to address them.
Collaborate with regional and country office leadership, the broader conservation community, and other stakeholders to identify opportunities to leverage WWF’s strategic thought leadership to inform conservation approaches, interventions, and strategies.
2) Catalyze implementation and organizational / team development
Develop approaches to embed conservation initiatives into strategies and implement innovative approaches in operations through pilots, working relations, workshops, organizational development, or program management structures.
Structure, install and lead or support program management structures to coordinate the implementation of initiatives at scale across the region.
3) Technical, Organizational and Programme Support:
Serve as a technical expert, providing high-level technical guidance and support to the conservation programmes on conservation opportunities and methodologies.
Coordinate conservation programmes by ensuring effective collaboration, enabling learning and sharing opportunities, and coordinating conservation efforts for regional or global representation.
Contribute to the evaluation and development of existing and new conservation programmes, identifying success factors and areas for improvement, and implementing corrective measures to enhance effectiveness of individual programmes of the broader program portfolio.
4) Contribute to team development
Seek opportunities that contribute to the development of the Africa Conservation Shared Service centre, e.g. enabling capacity building, building scaling capabilities, or optimizing team efficiency.
Contribute to a high-performing Africa Conservation Team and to the continuous professional growth and skill enhancement of conservation team members and peers through cross-learning and sharing, coaching and mentoring.
Support the coordination and development of impactful communities of practice in Africa to enable robust conservation delivery and effective collaboration and learning across the region.
3 MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
PCA (Protected and Conserved Areas):
Facilitate an organizational assessment and discussion around WWFs Role at PCAs in Sub-Saharan Africa (and potentially beyond)
Refine the PCA Engagement Framework, including decision support tool, engagement guidelines and decision pathway in collaboration with Conservation Directors, Landscape Leads, Risk, Legal and other stakeholders
Collaborate with stakeholders to co-create effective PCA governance and management practices as reflected in an engagement guidelines document that supports the effective structuring and implementation of WWF’s existing and future engagements
Develop and implement a monitoring mechanisms for WWF’s PCA engagements, including the updating of the PCA database and the development of a structural data collection process and tooling
Inclusive Conservation (IC)
Contribute to the organizational process to derive a common network definition of Inclusive Conservation as a concept, framework and approach
Enhance the IC Fundamentals Framework with a credible Theory of Change, concrete suggestions for implementation, and inspirational journey for further development.
Monitor and evaluate the implementation of IC Fundamentals, in Special Consideration Landscapes and beyond
Identify methods to stimulate the operationalisation of the IC Fundamentals, in Special Consideration Landscapes initially and later beyond
Support ESSF Sprint:
Support the implementation of the Global ESSF sprint programme structure, including coordination group, meeting cadence and work planning, monitoring process;
Develop and implement a light, but effective monitoring and reporting mechanism to stay informed on the process and enabling leadership to provide steer when needed;
Install an effective funding disbursement mechanism to provide country offices with the promised budgets to execute on their work plans;
Onboard a program management coordinator to support the coordination, monitoring and reporting process of the ESSF sprints throughout the three sprints.
Landscape Governance:
Support Transboundary Landscapes in adopting and implementing best practices for sustainable landscape management, as identified in the ABC Governance Study;
Collaborate with Landscape Leads to investigate opportunities to strengthen landscape programmes, governance mechanisms and other practices;
Facilitate knowledge sharing and learning among Transboundary Landscapes.
Programme Support:
Provide coordination support to conservation initiatives, including regional initiatives and transboundary programs, within the conservation community;
Facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing within WWF and among conservation organizations;
Develop and maintain a network of conservation partners and stakeholders.
Other Strategic Topics:
Conduct and/or support research and analyses on emerging conservation issues, such as recently the CSO Partnerships Study and upcoming Biodiversity Credits Study;
Support the assessment and implementation of CSO partnerships for conservation impact;.
Coordinate and support the development and implementation of the project on Biodiversity Credits, and potential spin-offs / pilot projects resulting from that engagement.
Represent WWF and the WWF Africa Conservation Shared Service centre at internal and external conservation conferences, workshops, and stakeholder meetings;
Prepare and present reports on conservation progress, challenges, and achievements to senior management, partners, and stakeholders;
Contribute to the development of fundraising documents to secure funding for conservation initiatives;
Support with coordinating, administrative or communicative activities for the Africa Conservation Shared Service, such as, work planning, reporting, and other presentations;
Stay informed of emerging conservation trends, technologies, and best practices, incorporating relevant advancements into the WWFs conservation strategies.
4 PROFILE
Required Qualifications.
A relevant University Degree; and a Master’s Degree in Business, Economics, Development, Environment or related field and experience in the conservation sector;
At least ten years’ work experience in a top-tier (Strategy) Consultant and/or reputable International Organization in a similar or equivalent position;
Proven track record in successfully working with Executive Teams, and Senior Director level functions.
Required Skills and Competencies.
Structured and strong analytical skills; ability to analyze, clarify and communicate complex problems and integrated solutions;
Ability to independently develop high quality, effective and impactful presentations, reports and publications; suitable for senior management and external audiences;
Executive presence, with confident and strong communication skills (written and oral), ability to comfortably work with and present to senior leadership;
Pragmatic, proactive attitude with a problem-solving mindset, initiates next steps and puts process in motion;
Independent, owns full process; managing scope and structure effectively; drives to deliverables; and engages relevant stakeholders timely and effectively;
Contributes to the organizational agenda, thought leadership, and identifies and develops strategic topics and thought pieces;
Organized with exceptional planning and coordination skills; strong ability to maintain strategic oversight, manage multiple tasks, adapt, re-prioritize, and meet deadlines;
Excellent technology and data skills; ability to comprehend, develop and evolve complex data-bases and excel models;
Extensive experience in developing, and coordinating large programmes, for example through PMO (Project Management Office) structures;
Experience in developing and driving change management processes;
Strong people manager, available and approachable, generates enthusiasm, with focus on personal and professional development of team members and peers;
Team player/leader with strong interpersonal skills, outgoing personality, and ability to work independently and effectively under pressure and on strict deadlines in a collaborative and multi-cultural setting;
Growth mind-set; curiosity and eagerness to learn and grow;
Excellent command of written and spoken English (French would be an advantage);
Embraces the WWF mission and values of the organisation: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration.
5 WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Internal.
Interacts frequently with the Regional Directors, the Chief Country Office Division, the Chief Conservation Officer, staff of WWF ROA, staff of WWF International, Practice Leaders, Country Directors, Conservation Directors, Transboundary Landscape Leads, Regional Programme Leads, Program Office Representatives, organizational bodies like the CQC and GCC, and other WWF staff in the fulfilment of duties.
External.
Interacts with partners, donors, representatives, consultants and visitors, as required in fulfilment of duties.
HOW TO APPLY
Please send your CV and Cover Letter to Aris Valachis at avalachis@wwfint.org .
Deadline for applications: 30 January 2024
