Resilient Watersheds Specialist- Mombasa at Nature Conservancy

WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER

• Based at the TNC’s Mombasa office in Kenya, the position holder will work closely with stakeholders in the wider coastal region - who may include urban water utilities, county governments, state agencies involved in conservation work as well as private sector leaders. This position reports to the Kenya Program Director with a dotted line to the Africa Water Funds Director and is part of the larger Africa Freshwater Protection Strategy. It is also aligned to the Global Resilient Watersheds program.  They will be responsible for the full implementation of all steps in the Water Fund development cycle from creation, implementation, governance development to maturity. No relocation or visa sponsorship or assistance is being offered with this position. This is a 2-year term limited position. Extension of tenure will be subject to performance and fundraising outcomes.

The responsibilities and scope for this position are:

• Reaching out and obtaining needed cooperation from key stakeholders in water, conservation and business within the coastal region brokering partnerships and inviting collaboration agreements with target partners. Develop teaming arrangements for match resources and joint fundraising to ensure activities are done on time.
• Coordinate the steering committee for the Water Fund and reach out to key stakeholders to support conservation work including Climate Adaptation and targeted corporate philanthropy.
• Lead the development of annual workplans and budgeting for timely approval and execution.
• Mobilize capacity and resource persons within the Africa region and global Resilient Watersheds team to ensure timely and successful implementation of the workplans.
• Lead field operations including developing community outreach mechanisms and ensuring timely and accurate reporting.
• Coordinate donor pitching and learning trips to source water protection projects within the region.
• Compile and share data needed for public information channels and key partner organizations.
• Responsibilities may grow to also support the development of other programs as guided by TNC mission.
• Travel may require up to 30% of time.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU

• The Resilient Watersheds Specialist coordinates multi-stakeholder projects focused on implementing Nature based Solutions (NbS) for watershed health and climate resilience within the source waters of Mombasa, Kenya. This will involve establishing implementation teams, mobilizing human and financial resources, and creating governance arrangements for the Water Fund. They will be guided by resources available in www.waterfundstoolbox.org
• The Resilient Watersheds Specialist will provide technical support to the TNC Kenya program by leading conservation work in designated source watersheds that are key for downstream water users around Mombasa. They will provide technical assistance in creation of implementation plans for the water fund in collaboration with other TNC staff, partners, key stakeholders. They will develop a suitable governance structure by attracting funders and participation commitments from key partners. They will lead outreach to high-profile representatives of key public and private sector organizations. They will manage grant funds from the program’s major donors, including government agencies, bi- and multi- lateral funding agencies like IFAD, the GEF while fundraising for new priorities, including identifying donor prospects, donor cultivation, and grant writing.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• BA/BS degree and 5 years’ experience in conservation practice, water resources management, Agriculture, water engineering or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation.
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including managing finances and coordinating inputs from multiple professionals and partners.  
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives, and managing performance.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.    
• Experience negotiating complex agreements and partnerships.
• Experience communicating with the public and media both in writing and verbally.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in water resource management, Agriculture, Water Engineering or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Over 7 years’ experience in conservation practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience in bringing partners together for a common goal and maintaining trust and collaboration over time.
• Good report writing skills for multi-lateral donor level projects such as IFAD, French Development Agency (AFD), World Bank, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), corporates among others.
• Demonstrated ability to work with multiple team members from different organizations and delivering results on time.
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English, Swahili, and other relevant languages.
• Good understanding of the following areas: voluntary leadership cultivation, multi-stakeholder events planning and workshop hosting.
• Managing and prioritizing tasks to meet multiple demands and deadlines. 
• Ensures integrity of both data collection, management and analysis leading to quality and timely reporting on outcomes.
• Ability to acts independently with minimal supervision, resolving complex issues within the watersheds and being a resource to others.
• Experience developing donor reports and coordinating monitoring activities involving multiple partners. 
• Willingness to travel to remote geographies in Kenya and lead prolonged field work and with multiple cultures and socio-economic contexts.
• Politically savvy.