Country Director/CEO at Turkana Basin Institute

Strategic leadership 

• Define and articulate the institute’s vision, mission, and strategic objectives in alignment with the TBI Board, its stakeholders and the broader scientific research community. Provide clear leadership and direction to researchers, staff and stakeholders, guiding them towards achieving the institute’s goals. Oversee the management of research and field programs for visiting scientists, students and research professionals. Support innovative, groundbreaking programs, leverage the institute’s intellectual property and facilitate relationships with TBI partners. Oversee a safe, secure, stimulating, and welcoming intellectual environment for scientists and students from around the world. 

Financial Sustainability 

• Oversee and work with Chief Finance Officer to manage the institute’s financial resources effectively, including budgeting, fundraising, and diversifying revenue streams ensuring the institute operates within budgetary constraints while seeking opportunities for growth and sustainability. 
• Management 
• Provide oversight and accountability for the overall management of TBI working together with the Chief Operating Officer who will oversee day-to-day operations including supervision of the vast majority of staff. Engage, as needed, to resolve conflicts and crises. Recruit, develop, and retain top talent, fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for management and staff. Provide opportunities for researchers and staff to enhance their skills, knowledge, and career advancement. 

Operational Efficiency 

• Oversee day-to-day operations in Nairobi and in field campuses in remote locations in Northern Kenya, ensuring efficient use of resources and adherence to legal, regulatory, and ethical standards. Identifying and mitigating risks that may affect the institute’s reputation, financial stability, or research outcomes. 
• External relations and Communication 
• Demonstrate TBI contributions and commitment to Kenya and the community through sustained and deep engagement with regional and national government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, institutions of higher education, and other stakeholders. Maintain strong, positive relations with a diverse array of stakeholders and policymakers. 

 ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS 

• Kenyan Citizen, or ability to work in Kenya. 
• Must be willing to work in remote areas of Kenya and within a local community context, and to collaborate with other research institutions and stakeholders to deliver support, services and infrastructure to scientists and scholars making use of TBI facilities. 
• Good Communication and Presentation skills and preferably be conversant with the Kiswahili language.
• Must be ready to take on complex administrative roles, appreciate donor/philanthropic/academia perspectives and understand the management of people and financial matters. 
• Strong change management and entrepreneurial skills, with the ability to handle unexpected challenges and manage multiple, evolving and competing priorities and expectations. 
• Experience managing and mitigating operational, financial, compliance, and reputational risks 
• Excellent problem-solving and negotiation skills, especially in cross-cultural contexts. 
• Proven ability to be diplomatic and culturally aware of sensitive issues. 
• Ability to work with a wide variety of stakeholders, including board members, donors, policy makers, industry players, students, academic faculty, administrators and officials from the developed and developing countries. 
• Process and service-delivery oriented including clear team management and team leadership skills and experience. 
• A sense of purpose and gravitas and experience in working with diverse stakeholders, including local communities, County Governments and National Institutions. 

Educational Background: 

• Master’s degree in business administration, management, leadership or other relevant field.
• Advanced degree (Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent) in a relevant scientific field, is an added advantage. 

Experience: 

• Experience in strategic planning, people and financial management, and operational oversight.
• Demonstrated success in securing funding and managing large budgets and teams. 
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in a similar C-Suite leadership position and with a proven track record of successful delivery of organisational outcomes.