Senior Associate, Natural Resource Management (Mt Kenya) at Rainforest Alliance

Position summary:

The Senior Associate, Natural Resource Management is responsible for coordinating, implementing as well as advising on all-Natural Resource Management (NRM) related activities for Rainforest Alliance Mount Kenya Sustainable Landscape and Livelihoods Program in Kenya. The Senior Associate NRM will support the Program by working with Rainforest Alliance staff, partners, consultants, and stakeholders to build, monitor and manage a sound NRM system that supports an integrated landscape management to enable achievement of program’s outcomes and impacts. The position includes training and advising technical staff, partners, stakeholders, and field consultants on NRM processes in accordance with the Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard, government policies and international best practices. The incumbent is also expected to coordinate closely with other Rainforest Alliance units to share knowledge and learnings. The position is open to expand in time and geography depending on funding and performance.

Responsibilities: 

• The Rainforest Alliance’s Core Values are Impact, Change, Collaboration, Openness and Trust and as such they form the basis of the behaviours we demonstrate:
• Support the Team Manager in planning and implementation of activities related to natural resource management, rehabilitation and reforestation, biodiversity conservation, sustainable utilization of natural resources for economic gains, natural resource financing and policy across the Mt Kenya landscape;
• Supporting and sensitizing the communities and program stakeholders on sustainable natural resource management (i.e. land, water, forests, energy, environment, flora and fauna management) and their interrelationship with agricultural production within the project area;
• Supporting the establishment of participatory landscape governance structures, ensuring full participation of local communities, private sector, public sector, forest dependent communities, women and youth and all relevant stakeholders within the landscape;
• Offer technical support during capacity strengthening of Community Forest Associations (CFAs) and Water Resource Users Associations (WRUAs) and link them to Mt. Kenya Landscape Management Board (LMB) in the focused counties;
• Supporting in the development of sustainable landscape development management plans taking into consideration sustainable production for improved farmers’ livelihoods, forest and water bodies protection and restoration, and community engagement and social inclusion;
• Mobilizing private and public sector resources for agricultural production and biodiversity conservation and aligning of efforts towards realization of sustainable landscape;
• Building farmers’ and communities climate change and economic resilience through diversification of livelihoods, employing alternative and innovative methods of production and green investments that are both economically attractive and environmentally sound;
• Support in the assessment of progress toward achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) in the project site through estimating changes in carbon capture resulting from changes in farmers and forest communities management practices towards adoption of CSA practices, improved conservation, green entrepreneurship, and diversified enterprises;
• Monitor and disseminate relevant scientific developments on climate change impacts and adaptation strategies, particularly as they affect biodiversity and communities in key ecoregions, and disseminate best practice;
• Work closely with program team, subgrantees, consultants, and/or external partners to execute workplans, reporting, facilitate field visits and surveys, media and communication and collaborate with stakeholders and Rainforest Alliance colleagues for effective program management; and
• Undertaking other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resources Management, Agroforestry, or related field;
• Minimum 5 years of proven experience in a similar position;
• Clear understanding of natural resource management concepts in the context of integrated landscape approaches to conservation and livelihood improvement;
• Clear understanding of regenerative agriculture and agroforestry practices for improved soil health, nutrient recycling and adaptation and mitigation of climate change;
• Knowledge of certification programs in the context of biodiversity conservation and sustainability practices;
• Competency in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and related computer programs e.g. ArcGIS, QGIS, ERDAS Imagine, Global Mapper, ENVI, Carbon calculation and computer Microsoft Office (Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Publisher);
• Knowledge in carbon foot printing and Environmental and Social Impact Assessments. Registration from National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) is a plus;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. Spoken Kiswahili is a plus;
• Ability to travel locally and internationally at least 30% of the time.