Lead, Indigenous & Community Solutions Hub at Natural State

We are seeking a passionate and experienced leader to drive the design, delivery, and visibility of the Indigenous & Community Solutions Hub. The Lead will work directly with IPLC organisations across Laikipia, Kenya, and beyond to co-create knowledge, foster peer learning, support capacity development, and influence wider restoration policy and practice. This is a unique opportunity to support nature’s community custodians in shaping the future of restoration on their own terms.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Programme Leadership

• Develop and implement a bold, community-led vision for the Indigenous & Community Solutions Hub that supports long-term resilience, equity, and ecological impact and aligns to the overall ACNRR strategy.
• Build and maintain strong, respectful relationships with IPLC leaders, organisations, and networks across Laikipia, Kenya, and Africa, ensuring all work is community guided.
• Follow Natural State’s programme management processes and systems to support timely delivery and communication of programmatic milestones.

Knowledge Sharing & Storytelling

• Support IPLC organisations to document, synthesise, share, and promote their restoration approaches and innovations.
• Co-develop and deliver platforms for peer learning, storytelling, and solutions and evidence sharing among IPLC organisations.
• Enable community-led research partnerships on related topics.

Capacity Strengthening

• Identify key capacity needs among community nature custodian organisations and coordinate, co-create, and co-deliver training, mentoring, and peer exchange opportunities.
• Facilitate access to other ACNRR programmes (e.g., the Enterprise Accelerator or Lifelong Learning) to support organisational growth and sustainability.

Design & Management of the Restoration Innovation Incubator

• Lead the full design, delivery, and evolution of the Restoration Innovation Incubator, including strategic direction, implementation systems, and impact measurement.
• Develop inclusive, accessible application and selection processes that centre community values and priorities.
• Provide tailored mentoring, technical support, and peer exchange opportunities for participating organisations.
• Support documentation, learning, and storytelling from funded innovations to influence wider restoration practice and policy.
• Manage the Incubator’s operational systems (e.g., budgeting, contracting, reporting) in coordination with the wider ACNRR team.

Fundraising & Donor Engagement

• Collaborate with the ACNRR leadership team to develop a sustainable funding strategy for the Hub’s long-term growth.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with donors and funding partners, ensuring alignment with the Hub’s strategy and values.
• Lead or contribute to the development of compelling funding proposals, concept notes, and presentations for institutional donors, foundations, and other funders.
• Ensure that community perspectives and priorities are reflected in fundraising narratives and proposals.
• Oversee or contribute to the delivery of timely, accurate, and transparent grant reporting, including narrative and financial updates.

Partnerships & Influence

• Represent the Hub in regional and global forums, advocating for IPLC-led restoration and funding equity.
• Collaborate with donors, civil society, research institutions, and governments to amplify community voices and strengthen support systems for community-based restoration leadership.

 Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning

• Lead participatory monitoring and learning approaches that track progress, capture learning, and improve Hub activities over time.
• Produce and contribute to high-quality reports, briefs, and communications that showcase community impact and innovation and influence sector learning.

Essential Requirements

• Lived experience as a member of an Indigenous People or Local Community.
• Proven experience working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples and/or Local Communities in Africa.
• 7-10 years’ work experience in the nature restoration, conservation, and or development sectors.
• Fluency in relevant Kenyan languages and English.
• Familiarity with African rangeland systems and restoration strategies.
• Deep appreciation of Indigenous and local community knowledge systems, customary governance, and land stewardship approaches.
• Strong programme design and delivery skills, with an emphasis on participatory and community-led approaches.
• Experience building trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders across sectors and geographies.
• Excellent communication skills, including storytelling, facilitation, and cross-cultural engagement.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and adapt in a dynamic environment.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and local leadership in conservation and development.
• Fluency with MS office applications including Word and Excel.