Mau-Mara-Loita Sub-Landscape Coordinator at World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Kenya

About the Role

The post holder will assist the Kenya SOKNOT Programme Coordinator to effectively coordinate, manage and implement the Southern Kenya-Northern Tanzania (SOKNOT) Transboundary Programme in Kenya, in line with the WWF-Kenya Strategic Plan, SOKNOT programme Strategy and relevant National Strategic Plans with a focus on the Mau-Mara-Loita sub-landscape. The post holder will need to work very closely with all relevant thematic, technical leads such as Wildlife lead, Forest lead, Freshwater lead, Climate Change Adaptation lead, and Sustainable economies lead as well as staff based in the national office in Nairobi on policy and legislative engagement, communications, fundraising, and operations.  

The broad vision for the SOKNOT Landscape programme is securing the key natural resources across this expansive transboundary landscape to bring benefits to both wildlife and people. SOKNOT comprises the Mau-Mara-Serengeti, Amboseli-West Kilimanjaro and Tsavo-Mkomazi sub-landscapes with key habitats including wildlife dispersal areas and corridors connecting a network of protected areas. Ensuring improved wellbeing of local communities through improved voice and agency, equitable benefit sharing and diversified and sustainable livelihoods are critical.

This position will, therefore, lead on the coordination, management, monitoring, performance, reporting, and administration of all the activities in the Mau-Mara-Loita sub-landscape.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for effective coordination of the design and development of a suite of projects under a Mau-Mara-Loita sub-landscape programme, with strong technical support from all relevant WWF-Kenya thematic leads and external experts and partners.
• Assist in prioritization of wildlife corridor areas within the sub-landscapes through a multi-stakeholder engagement process, the review and collection of essential baseline data, and the co-creation of appropriate strategies.
• Provide leadership in the Mau-Mara-Loita sub-landscape for implementing field-based conservation actions, focused on strengthening the management of Protected Areas and connecting wildlife migratory corridors and dispersal areas while increasing wellbeing in community areas within this sub-landscape.
• Coordinate the implementation of all other project activities in the sub-landscape addressing multiple themes and habitats (e.g. freshwater, forest, rangelands, climate change adaptation etc.) as well as species connectivity, participatory land-use and governance planning, wildlife crime, nature-based enterprises and human wildlife conflict mitigation.
• Support all relevant thematic leads and the Kenya SOKNOT Co-coordinator to identify and develop excellent working relationships with major landholders, rights holders and other key stakeholder groups (county and national government, commercial, community, private sector, academics, and other local organizations) within the sub-landscape;
• Represent WWF-Kenya and SOKNOT, where required, at national government   levels and ensure effective coordination, collaboration and knowledge sharing between key stakeholders, partners and donors in Kenya;
• Support the Kenya SOKNOT coordinator on the operations of Mau-Mara-Loita sub-landscape programme, to ensure timely delivery of activities through effective coordination and cooperation between project partners and reporting (technical and financial);
• In liaison with the Kenya SOKNOT Programme Coordinator, work with relevant Communication and Knowledge Management staff to ensure both the conservation and social benefits generated by the programme are communicated to the general public and to policy makers as well as the WWF network;
• In liaison with the Kenya SOKNOT Programme Coordinator, work with other WWF-Kenya thematic programs and Operation leads (Finance, Communications, People & Culture, Fundraising & Procurement) to develop work plans and annual budgets;
• In liaison with the Kenya SOKNOT Programme Coordinator, proactively fundraise for the programme through timely and quality responses to funding opportunities that will drive sustainability of the program;
• Support the Kenya SOKNOT landscape coordinator to ensure relevant WWF partners delivery and expenditure is as outlined in contracts, agreed program work plans and budgets.
• Closely support the Kenya SOKNOT Coordinator to effectively liaise and coordinate with the overall SOKNOT Landscape Coordinator based in Arusha, Tanzania.
• As part of a wider team ensure that all Environmental and Social Safeguards are met

Required Knowledge and Experience:

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline e.g. natural sciences, social sciences, conservation biology, landscape ecology, economics, and conservation planning or related field.
• At least 8 years’ working experience in wildlife conservation and socio-economic issues in Kenya.
• At least 4 years’ experience of working on complex programs at national level with multiple and diverse implementation partners and stakeholders - including high level political engagement, community livelihood initiatives - with cross-cutting themes and multiple objectives;
• At least 4 years’ experience in program development and management, including preparing and managing budgets, technical and financial reporting, program monitoring and evaluation, and ensuring compliance with donor requirements for implementation.
• Training and qualification(s) in programme management is desirable and an added advantage

Required Skills and Competencies

• Visionary and results focused leadership approach with a thorough understanding of program management disciplines;
• Ability to network, build and maintain strong relationships at all levels, both internally and with local communities, government agencies, the not-for-profit sector and the scientific community
• Excellent written, strong presentation and communication skills, with fluency in spoken and written English and proficiency in Swahili;
• Ability to drive multi-stakeholder engagement processes including stakeholder workshops, and to build capacity of multiple stakeholders to engage in landscape planning and management;
• Strong community engagement skills and genuine respect for their skills and perspectives, including those of partner organizations and the private sector;
• Problem solving, contract management and conflict management skills
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills