Senior Director, Africa Policy at Conservation International

• This position manages staff and reports to both the Senior Vice President, Global Policy and Government Affairs, with a dotted line to the Senior Vice President and Chief Field Officer, Africa Field Division. It is a local contract paid in local currency according to local pay scales and standards.

Responsibilities
Policy Influence and Implementation

• Collaborate with CI country programs in the region to design and implement strategies to influence the design of national climate policies, including Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), REDD+ nesting policies, National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plans (NBSAPs), and both domestic and international carbon markets.
• Design and implement strategies to influence policy frameworks to facilitate demand for natural climate solutions (NCS).
• Lead efforts to influence domestic policies to incentivize and support restoration efforts in key countries, particularly where CI has rangelands/savannah and forest programmes.
• Influence governments' positions on key elements of globally, regionally or nationally important policy formulation, including negotiations on international biodiversity and climate policies.

Policy Strategic Planning and Coordination

• Develop and implement a multi-year policy strategy for Africa, mapping potential areas of policy intervention and gaps within the Africa Field Division (AfFD) and aligning to the field division’s regional strategy and priorities.
• Lead the coordination of policy priorities, strategy, and activities on the continent, actively serving as a policy lead for designated projects and initiatives, representing the policy interests within the AfFD’s Executive Management Team.
• Provide meaningful policy support to thematic leads, country programme leads, and other relevant internal colleagues, ensuring alignment with CI's policy priorities and strategy.
• Overseeing and supervising select GEF and GCF projects that consist of vital governmental relationships capable of influencing policy, including the Capacity-Building Initiative for Transparency and Earth Ranger, as well as the Guinean Forests Integrated Programme.

Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies and NGO partners engaged in policy efforts in Africa.
• Collaborate with CI's country programs and external partners to create shared policy inputs for national governments, advocating for CI's policy priorities and objectives.
• Serve as a liaison between the Africa Field Division and the Global Policy and Government Affairs team, facilitating effective communication and collaboration between teams.

Team Management and Development

• Provide effective leadership and management to the Africa Policy and special projects team, ensuring alignment with CI's mission and objectives.
• Support the professional development of team members through coaching, mentoring, and training opportunities.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Africa Policy team.
• Manage team resources effectively, including budget allocation and performance evaluation, to achieve desired outcomes and objectives.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This position is based in Nairobi, Kenya, at CI’s offices located in Merchant Square, Riverside Drive, Nairobi.
• Normal office environment with up to 50% local, regional, and international travel required for high-level meetings and field site visits.
• Availability to deal with pressing business, emergencies, and unanticipated crises or opportunities that may arise related to CI’s institutional needs or management, including outside of normal office hours.
• Ability to work extended hours to meet deadlines.
• Guidance on flexible work arrangements will be shared during the interview process.

Qualifications
Required

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, international affairs, environmental science, or a related field.
• 10 or more years of experience in developing and managing non-profit public policy initiatives or working in Government in Africa.
• 5 year or more of supervisory experience.
• Solid understanding of government processes in Africa and the overall Africa policy engagement environment.
• Proven ability to navigate and negotiate complex policy landscapes, including engagement with government agencies, NGOs, and international organizations.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to effectively communicate complex information to diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Fluency in English; fluency in French or Portuguese is a plus.
• Experience in policy development related to climate change, biodiversity conservation, and natural resource management.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing strategies to influence national and international policy frameworks.
• Familiarity with key policy instruments and mechanisms, such as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), REDD+ nesting, or National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) are an added advantage.
• Experience in managing and mentoring a diverse team of policy professionals.

Preferred

• Masters degree.