Kenya Landscape Coordinator at World Resources Institute (WRI)

Job Summary

In this role, you will provide leadership and technical support for the development, implementation and monitoring of forest landscape restoration (FLR) implementation plans in Kenya, with an initial focus on Makueni County, to scale up FLR in the country. The FLR implementation plans will be developed through a multi-stakeholder participatory process involving partners in government, civil society, local communities and the private sector. 

You will work closely with WRI colleagues based in Washington DC and Kenya, and with other project partners that include the County Government of Makueni, Kenya Water Towers, Kenya Forest Services and the Water Resources Authority.

Job Responsibilities

In compliance with WRI policies and priorities, and under the guidance of the Country Lead, you will carry out the following responsibilities:

Technical Assistance and Coordination (70%)

Serve as the coordinator and technical lead in the development and implementation of FLR implementation plans/action plan(s) in Makueni, Kenya. The specific responsibilities include:

• In collaboration with partners in the Government of Kenya and the County Government, guide the establishment of FLR coordination and partnership platform for selected landscape(s) that brings together government, community, private sector and technical partners to support restoration, sustainable landscape management and livelihoods improvement
• Steward FLR multi-stakeholder groups to set a vision for restoration of selected landscapes, develop an FLR implementation plan, and guide implementation and monitoring of the plans
• Implementation plans are likely to include components on: vision and principles, governance, FLR technical interventions, financing, monitoring, and communications and advocacy.
• Guide, support and supervise consultants to provide technical assistance in the development and implementation of the FLR plan(s) as necessary
• Coordinate WRI colleagues’ technical assistance in the development and implementation of the FLR plan(s) as necessary
• Lead awareness campaigns at the landscape(s) to foster sustainability of proposed actions on the ground
• Document lessons learned and best practices from project implementation to foster learning and knowledge sharing across the landscape, and beyond
• Partner with other National FLR Agencies to link WRI’s landscape work with broader efforts to implement Kenya’s National FLR Strategy
• Collaborate with WRI colleagues and other stakeholders in the selected landscape(s) to raise awareness about landscape action plans and FLR efforts, lessons and best practices

External Relations (10%)

• Build partnerships with local stakeholders in Makueni landscape(s) that include Government Agencies, CSOs, local NGOs, Private sector and County Government to foster landscape restoration and sustainable landscape management
• Maintain close contacts with partners, ensuring adequate communication of landscape activities across all stakeholders including Government, private sector and NGO partners and foster multi-stakeholder participation, with special emphasize to local communities
• Represent WRI in meetings with the Government, project consortia, and other partners. Share approaches, best practices, and lessons learned from WRI’s landscape work in these fora

Administrative Responsibilities (20%)

• Provide input in our administrative processes (e.g. support project planning, budget processes, project review, donor reporting etc. )
• Complete administrative paperwork related to contracts, sub-agreements, vendor payments, etc. in collaboration with colleagues

Job Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in natural resource management, agriculture, environmental management or related fields. Experience developing landscape/ecosystem management plans is an added advantage
• A Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred) in environmental sciences, natural resource management, forestry, agriculture, rural development, geography, or similar field
• Strong communication skills and experience collaborating with partners at all levels (government, donors, private sector, NGOs and local community-based organizations)
• Understanding of natural resource management policies and regulations in Kenya
• Fluency in Swahili and English languages
• Flexibility to live, work and travel to remote areas; ability to travel internationally about 5% of time
• Good GIS and analytical skills