Senior Director, Conservation Programs at African Wildlife Foundation

The Senior Director, Conservation Programs, will be responsible for ensuring the successful execution of Country and Landscape programs to meet strategic goals and impact objectives. The position will supervise Country and Landscape programs, to ensure that Country strategies as nested under AWF’s overall vision and strategic plan, align with Government priorities that help advance conservation and development. This position will ensure compliance, on time program implementation and quality checks. The position has delegated authority from the SVP CP to coordinate and oversee some Countries or Landscapes to deliver on programs and ensure integration and alignment of AWF’s Country and Landscape Programs.

The position will work closely with all the key functional teams and leaders at AWF to ensure that the referenced programs strategies are integrated into AWF’s Strategic objectives.

Responsibilities

Program Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of AWF’s Country and Landscape   programs and strategy (ies), ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and funding strategies.
• Serve as a though partner to the SVP of Conservation Programs, contributing to program strategy, performance monitoring, and innovation for scaling and expansion.
• Ensure on time and on budget delivery of program results.
• In collaboration with the Project Management team, ensure timely escalation of challenges to the supervisor and proactively identify solutions or adaptive measures.
• Oversee and guide the teams to ensure programs are on track and meet the set standards and donor provisions. 
• Lead the development and execution of AWF’s Youth and Leadership programs and strategy (ies), ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and funding strategies.
• Ensure leadership KPIs are effective, aligned with institutional priorities, and regularly reported. 
• Ensure that there is effective communication and coordination with internal and external stakeholders, including government agencies, local communities, and partners.
• Cultivate a culture of performance, innovation, and learning and accountability to ensure that AWF’s field presence remains nimble, relevant, and capable of responding to the rapidly changing policy, ecological, and funding environments in which we operate.
• Lead the departmental annual work planning processes to ensure that they are coordinated within established timeliness.
• Lead the departmental budget development process identifying areas for improvement and alignment.
• Foster cross-county collaboration, knowledge sharing, and problem solving to strengthen the collective impact of AWF’s country portfolio.
• Identify strategic needs beneficial to programs and be the focal point for the development of solutions and new innovations, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
• Represent AWF in key forums and events to help showcase AWF’s programs, impact and open new opportunities and partnerships.

Green Economy and Business

• Lead initiatives and implementation of AWF work around biodiversity economy.
• Manage relationships with Governments departments, financial institutions, and key stakeholders around biodiversity economy aiming to build partnerships with private and public sectors and position the organizations work on national and global platforms.
• Oversee and ensure effective management of all GEF-funded biodiversity focused projects.

Institutional Leadership & Governance

• Participate in key institutional events.
• Champion the implementation of AWF processes, policy and procedures.
• Cultivate a culture of strong performance and accountability.
• Model the AWF values.
• Support the design of initiatives and programs critical for delivery of the AWF strategy.
• Support a transparent reporting and peer review process that drives accountability across the organization.
• Regularly evaluate the changing landscape, trends, and developments in biodiversity and conservation environment.

Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in Conservation, Environment studies or related.
• 10+ years of experience consistent with the above responsibilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with stakeholders and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing professional staff.
• International experience and knowledge of the donor landscape is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to identify problems, develop solutions, and make sound decisions under pressure. 
• Demonstrated financial management skills, including budgeting, cost control, and financial reporting.
• A strong understanding of conservation principles, practices, and relevant policies.
• Fluency in English is a must. French is highly desired.
• Knowledge of conservation in Africa.
• Ability and willingness to travel to remote locations.