Agriculture Program Manager at Nature Conservancy

The Africa Agriculture Program Manager will be primarily responsible for managing activities associated with the siting, assessment, and planning of the Kenya Central Highlands Ecoregion Foodscape (CHEF), oversee collaboration with external consultants, manage projects, and serve as key liaison to external partners. They will provide process leadership and analytical support to achieve the goals of the Foodscape while ensuring alignment with the Africa Agriculture Strategy and Global Regenerative Foodscapes strategic plan to catalyze transformational systems change in African agriculture. Reporting to the Africa Agriculture Director, the position will work closely with the Africa agriculture team, other Africa Strategy Directors, TNC Africa country teams, the global Regenerative Food Systems team, TNC’s Center for Sustainability Science,. The position will be based at TNC office in Kenya, or Arusha Tanzania. This is a two-year term limited position with a possibility of extension, subject to funding. No relocation or visa sponsorship or assistance is being offered with this position.

Essential Functions

The Agriculture Program Manager will apply best practices in program/project management and coordination to ensure the successful completion of all projects in the portfolio on time, within budget and to the specifications agreed with the individual project stakeholders and funding sources. The manager will identify and develop project key performance indicators, monitor and measure project progress, perform risk management, seek solutions to challenges and conduct corrective actions as necessary, carry out stakeholder mapping/ engagement/ management and resource leveraging, and optimally align strategies, processes, and tools. They will manage conflict; collaboratively solve complex problems; and ensure all organizational and divisional standards are met. They will manage contracts, tracking budgets and deliverables, and will serve as a key liaison for agriculture partners and TNC staff.

Responsibilities And Scope

• Lead the implementation of the Kenya Central Highlands Ecoregion Foodscape (CHEF) program, including to advance the theory of change, providing strategic leadership, and technical direction.
• Lead the day-to-day operations of a collaborative, complex and high-profile program, including managing project teams, setting deadlines, managing projects budget, and coordinating communications.
• Provide accountability for project deliverables, project monitoring, evaluation, and reporting
• Lead technical reports writing, in collaboration with the agriculture program director and other staff.
• Builds, facilitate, and manage partnerships and relationships across stakeholders, while identifying potential new partnerships and opportunities for the program. Develops terms of reference for partnerships/coalitions, MOUs, in collaboration with the Ag Director. Prepares concept notes and project proposals (as required) in collaboration with the Ag Director.
• Work with staff from across TNC and provide support to organization leadership; serve as point of contact for global Regenerative Food System staff, Africa and Global Agriculture staff, Africa staff, external project stakeholders, and others as necessary
• Lead interdepartmental teams to coordinate the work of peers; provide oversight for multiple key functions assigned to the team
• Act independently and exercise independent judgment to identify and solve complex problems and to elevate challenges and ensuring enabling conditions for project implementation.
• Implement the Africa Agriculture program and integrate its vision and strategic goals into the CHEF, ensuring alignment with the global Regenerative Foodscapes portfolio and strategy.
• Lead the development of projects budgets and negotiate and contract consultants/contractors.
• Assist the fundraising team by reviewing donor communications as well as assisting with proposal development.
• Demonstrate sensitivity in handling confidential information that may arise during collaborative efforts.
• Ensure compliance with Conservancy policies and procedures and external (e.g., donor, legal) requirements; decisions may have organization-wide impact and bind the organization financially or legally.
• May require frequent travel domestically and/or internationally.
• Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in an economics, agriculture, environment, international development, or related field and at least 7 years’ experience in conservation or agriculture practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong knowledge and background in agri-food systems and key stakeholders in Africa.
• At least 5 years’ experience managing complex or multiple projects, including managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.
• Experience providing strategic leadership while ensuring quality project deliverables in partnership with public, private, and civil organizations, and governments.
• Demonstrated social and emotional intelligence by successfully engaging and motivating others to support a new path forward, building energy and involvement to sustain results over time.
• Expert time management and organizational skills.
• Experience presenting to and/or communicating to diverse audiences including community or business leaders, program leadership, government agency staff, and/or similar audiences.

Desired Qualifications

• Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated. Exposure to various cultures, geographies, nationalities, and points of view, appreciating the basis of each person’s worldview.
• Knowledge of policy, economic, social, other notable trends impacting Africa and what they mean for the future of agriculture.
• Ability to sensitively advise other staff on how to effectively engage with internal and external parties.
• Attention to detail and a good listener
• Capacity to advocate successfully using science and data, communicate with authenticity and credibility
• Ability to engage others through dynamic, empathetic, and articulate presentations and dialogue, conveying contagious enthusiasm that engenders a shared vision for the future.
• Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation