Senior Officer, Conservation Education at African Wildlife Foundation

Job Summary

The Senior Officer, Conservation Education will design, plan, facilitate and implement conservation education activities in over 130 schools, training teachers and work closely with Wildlife Clubs of Kenya (WCK) to influence the attitude and perception of the local community towards conservation. The jobholder will act as a point of contact for teachers, WCK, colleagues among other stakeholders and respond to requests for information on educational issues. Specifically, the position will work towards inspiring and nurturing future leaders through:

• Strengthening Wildlife Clubs and their reach in the landscape.
• Supporting in developing the education curriculum designed to educate the community, children and teachers on relevant matters of conservation; and
• Identifying and supporting the development of young conservation champions in the landscape.

Responsibilities

• In liaison with the Line Manager, provide technical guidance for the implementation and dissemination of conservation curriculum in the landscape.
• Working with the Wildlife Clubs of Kenya, support the enhancement of the teacher training programme.
• Prepare quarterly work plans and annual work plans for all conservation education projects, activities for the landscape and monitor the budget for the project.
• Working jointly with the Wildlife Clubs of Kenya, identify and employ relevant innovative approaches to conservation education delivery in the landscape.
• Identify and address key issues, harmonize technical objectives and approaches with partners, and formulate guidelines for the implementation of the AWF Conservation Education project and any other linked activities.
• Coordinate the assessment of schools, work with WCK and support the development and dissemination of conservation education content and materials in creative ways including through posters, pocket guides, mobile van visits and visits to parks.
• Support the identification and establishment of model schools, including the nature of appropriate and support infrastructure in those schools (i.e. lavatories, water provision, projectors).
• Contribute to the development of a thematic Conservation Education Curriculum and Educator’s Guide/Manual for primary schools to be spearheaded by WCK.
• Participate and contribute to the development of Wildlife Clubs of Kenya Strategic Plan.
• Coordinate engagement activities for schools such as nature tours, school talk and teachers training in the landscape.
• Work with the Senior Manager, and the Landscape Manager to develop a basis for the identification of local conservation champions and support the training of local conservation champions on conservation actions.
• As needed, support data collection for targeted schools and school communities residing around Parks and Community Protected Areas.
• Support in generating ideas for products and initiatives that tell and communicate the powerful stories of young people in close collaboration with the Strategic communications team.
• Support and guide school communities in planning, prioritizing, and implementing natural resources management activities based on the AWF Strategy for the landscape.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of land use plans by mobilizing school communities and ensuring children’s voices are heard in the processes.
• Ensure a Right Based Approach to AWF programmatic interventions within the landscape in relation to communities.
• Maintain a good working relationship with different stakeholders such as the local communities, partners and other conservation stakeholders at the landscape.

Measuring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)

• Work with the M&E global team to ensure that MEAL tools are developed, rolled out, and analyzed according to institutional metrics, Indicators are tracked, and findings inform the Youth Programme.
• Collaborate with the Communications and the Knowledge Management teams to have impactful stories documented, filed, and disseminated.
• Prepare all progress reports and any other report as may be required.

Requirements and skills

• Bachelor’s Degree in Community Development, or a degree in Education, or relevant Natural Resources Management field.
• A minimum of 5 years working experience in community-based natural resource conservation or conservation education with experience of working with children and young people in conservation.
• Have significant knowledge of wildlife conservation and developmental issues surrounding conservation within communities.
• Experience of working with Government officials, local communities and/or donors at all levels.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Good interpersonal skills and an ability to relate to people of all ages.
• Computer literacy and ability to work efficiently in word, excel, and PowerPoint. Experience in Database Management and use of audio-visual equipment is essential.
• The ability to communicate effectively in written materials as well as presentations in Swahili and English.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Ability to speak comfortably in front of groups both small and large on topics of conservation.