Marine Programme Coordinator at World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Kenya

About The Role

The post holder will provide leadership and technical expertise in the development, coordination and implementation of the WWF–Kenya Marine Programme under the WWF-Coastal Kenya Programme in line with WWF-Kenya Strategic Plan. Together with the CKP leadership team develop a CKP Conservation Action Plan.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Programmes Development and Implementation
• Lead in the development and implementation of the Marine Programme working closely with the Coastal Kenya Programme Manager, other relevant thematic leads and colleagues based in the head office in Nairobi
• Ensure the successful development and implementation of an impactful marine programme in line with WWF-Kenya’s Strategy, Coastal Kenya Seascape strategy, WWF network priorities and the Coast Kenya Programme (CKP) Action Plan.
• Ensure that social safeguards, in line with WWF’s social policies, are built into the design and implementation of WWF’s marine projects.
• Champion the WWF-Kenya marine programme and marine conservation issues internally, across the WWF Network and externally
• Provides technical support and advice to programme teams and partners implementing the marine strategy.
• Works with relevant key stakeholders and partners, including government agencies, community-based conservation organizations/groups and the private sector to promote sustainable development, utilization, management and conservation of marine resources in Kenya.
• Provide technical expertise on marine resources management to WWF-Kenya and represent WWF-Kenya within the WWF Network Marine Community of Practice.
• Leads in the assessment and reporting of progress, outcomes and impacts against marine programmes and/or projects implementation and work plans/action plans including quality assurance, capacity building and conservation innovations.
• Prepare and present periodic technical reports on the progress of implementation of the marine programme.
• Review programme expenditures and monitor budget utilization in line with approved contracts.
• Directly support and contribute to WWF performance monitoring systems at Office and Network level.

Partnerships, Collaboration & Linkages

• Identify and pursue strategic collaborations and partnerships with governments, development partners, civil society organizations, WWF stakeholders and professional bodies in advancing the marine conservation interests and goals in line with WWF-Kenya’s collaboration and partnership policy framework and strategy.
• Develop and advise on strategic conservation and alliances between WWF Kenya and the WWF Network in order to advance our conservation goals.
• Promote cross programme linkages and synergy for impactful programmes.
• Participate in knowledge management through research for conservation, publication and dissemination of conservation achievements including representing WWF-Kenya in national, regional and international conservation platforms.
• Facilitate cross-border initiatives where relevant, in consultation with the Conservation Director and the Coastal Kenya Seascape Manager.

Resource Mobilization and Management

• Support development of fundraising proposals as part of the wider resource mobilization strategy.
• In consultation with the marine team colleagues, Coastal Kenya Programme Manager and finance team, develop cost-effective work plans and budgets and track delivery and budget utilization to ensure compliance to donor and internal financial regulations and narrative reporting.
• Scope for funding opportunities to attract diverse funding sources.
• Ensure prudent management and safety of assets and resources in designated areas.

Leadership and People Management

• Provide leadership and effective management of staff including coaching, mentoring and performance management under the Marine Programme.
• Coordinate development of marine programme work plans and budgets and staff performance targets and undertake periodic performance reviews for marine programme staff.
• Liaise with Human Resource function in carrying out staff training needs assessments and recommend how best to build capacity (e.g. training, coaching, mentoring, exchanges etc.) to address performance gaps.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Master’s degree in natural resource management, environmental science, marine science, aquatic ecology, biology of conservation or related field. Other additional professional training in related fields such as programme management will be an added advantage.
• 7 years of experience at management level in integrated coastal and marine conservation, fisheries management, marine science, natural resource management, environmental science, aquatic ecology, biology of conservation or a related field.
• Demonstrable experience of leading teams.
• Experience working in the INGO/Development sector is an added advantage.

Key Skills/ Competencies

• Programme design, development and management.
• Knowledgeable in contemporary issues in the Marine sector.
• Proven skills in stakeholder engagement and partnership building with government, peer organizations and local communities.
• Proven skills in ensuring the integration of social safeguards into conservation projects/programmes.
• Leadership and people management skills.
• Technical report writing and proposal development skills.
• Organizational and communication skills.
• Negotiation and influencing skills.
• Financial management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to conceptualize, plan and implement strategic initiatives within the context of conservation, natural resource management, international development, and/or other related fields.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of colleagues in matrix manner.

All interested candidates should submit their applications by Monday, March 30th, 2020.