Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Kenya

Job Summary

We seek an inspiring leader who combines strategic foresight with heartfelt leadership. The CEO will champion WWF Kenya’s vision, engage a diverse range of stakeholders, and drive meaningful impact in conservation and sustainable development. This role demands exceptional communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills to foster collaboration across public, private, and civil society sectors.

Responsibilities

Vision & Strategic Leadership

• Lead WWF Kenya’s strategic direction, ensuring alignment with global goals and national realities.
• Strengthen partnerships, foster innovation, and amplify conservation efforts.

Representation & Advocacy

• Act as the face of WWF Kenya locally and internationally, cultivating strategic alliances.
• Influence policies, mobilize resources, and expand community engagement in conservation.

Organizational Growth & Development

• Build and lead a high-performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, learning, and excellence.
• Secure sustainable funding from diverse sources, ensuring financial resilience.
• Uphold WWF’s values and environmental, social, and legal commitments.

Operational Excellence

• Ensure WWF Kenya operates with efficiency, transparency, and accountability.
• Oversee risk management, governance, and compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks.

Board Engagement

• Partner with the Board to shape WWF Kenya’s strategy, ensuring strong governance.
• Provide timely insights, risk analysis, and strategic recommendations.

Candidate Profile

Experience & Qualifications

• Successful experience in the conservation of Nature and sustainable development in Kenya including
  • Strategic planning and the development, execution and evaluation of large projects and programs (over $5 million).
  • Understanding risk analysis, safeguards, and socio-environmental policies.
• Significant professional experience including performance leadership roles in complex organizations
  • Preferably national or international NGOs.
  • Capacity and experience in the management of multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
• Demonstrated achievements in fund-raising, both from institutional and private sources.
• Advanced academic training in a career related to natural resources management/conservation, and/or development
  • Advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in a field of natural resources management/conservation, social sciences, business administration, law, or related careers. Training in the environment / conservation will be considered favorably.
• Excellent spoken and written communication skills, including public engagements, in English. Ability to speak Ki-Swahili is a strong advantage. 
  • Able to express ideas, positions, and emotions clearly and always based on respect for others.
  • Both consultative and assertive, favoring healthy working and personal relationships

Key Leadership Qualities

• Strategic & Inspirational Leadership: Builds consensus, influences change, and drives impact.
• People-Centered Management: Empowers and nurtures teams while maintaining high performance.
• Results-Oriented Execution: Ensures measurable progress through accountability and innovation.
• Cross-Scale Agility: Balances on-the-ground conservation with high-level policy engagement.
• Values-Driven & Empathetic: Leads with authenticity, fostering strong partnerships and trust.