Training Programme Manager & Lead Instructor at Natural State

• The Training Programme Manager & Lead Instructor plays a critical role in ensuring the success of the Centre’s learning programmes. These programmes provide accessible and inclusive onsite and online vocational learning for nature restoration professionals and custodians. It has a focus on practical and applied training, designed for employability and real-world performance.

Role Summary

• We are seeking an experienced, strategic, creative, and learner-focused instructional leader to shape how training is delivered at the African Centre for Nature Restoration & Resilience (ACNRR). As Lead Instructor, you will lead a small team of instructors to oversee in-person, online, and blended training delivery, ensuring each course is grounded in real-world application. You will also align delivery with ACNRR’s unique learning environment, making full use of our facilities and surrounding landscapes—and mentor a team of instructors and work closely with partners and technical experts to deliver locally-grounded curricula that drive real-world change. This is a unique opportunity to deliver transformational vocational education that empowers restoration leaders across Africa.

Key Responsibilities

Delivery Design & Instructional Leadership

• Translate core best practice and training content into engaging, inclusive, learner and context-specific delivery formats that reflect adult learning principles and real-world application.
• Design and continuously improve experiential, interactive, and practice-oriented learning formats to support applied learning, using ACNRR’s facilities, and surrounding landscape., and in close collaboration with ACNRR team members.
• Serve as lead instructor for in-person, online, and blended training cohorts, modelling inclusive, participatory, and applied teaching methods.
• Ensure all training delivery is interactive, applied, and grounded in real contexts.

Locally relevant Curriculum Design

• Work in partnership with the Indigenous and Community Solutions Hub Lead to identify key capacity needs among community nature custodian organisations and coordinate, co-create, and co-deliver training, mentoring, and peer exchange opportunities.

Instructor Team Development

• Recruit and oversee a diverse, gender inclusive, knowledgeable, and learner-centred team of instructors for the ACNRR.
• Onboard, and mentor a diverse group of instructors from across the region.
• Build a culture of excellence, peer learning, and continuous improvement within the instructors' team.
• Coordinate instructor delivery across in-person and online offerings, ensuring consistency with ACNRR values and standards.

Training Implementation & Operations

• Create annual training calendars and lead the day-to-day implementation of training delivery, including scheduling, resource planning, logistics, and learner support.
• Align training delivery with the ACNRR annual calendar, physical infrastructure, and regional travel plans.
• Serve as the key liaison between the content development team and the training delivery team to ensure smooth rollout and feedback loops.

Partnerships & Influence

• Build partnerships with local organisations, custodians, and practitioners to co-deliver field-based components.
• Lead and coordinate training contributions from guest instructors, expert panels, and community knowledge holders.
• Work with the Director and Head to develop a network of accredited satellite learning providers across the continent.
• Support the Head as required to represent the ACNRR in regional forums, advocating for IPLC-led restoration and funding and education equity.
• Collaborate with funding partners, civil society, research institutions, and governments to amplify community voices and strengthen support systems for community-based restoration leadership.

Programme Management

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the training programme, including planning, budgets, schedules, and logistics.
• Develop and implement systems for learner feedback, quality assurance, and continuous improvement.

Monitoring, Evaluation, & Reporting

• Form part of the Centre’s MEL unit to develop an evaluation framework to track learning outcomes and real-world impact.
• Collect and analyse feedback on delivery quality and learner progress to support evidence-based improvement in learner experience and instructional and content effectiveness.
• Produce and contribute to high-quality reports, briefs, and communications that showcase the activities and impact of the ACNRR.
• Contribute to funding partner reports, case studies, and communications.

Fundraising & Donor Engagement

• Support the ACNRR leadership team to develop a sustainable funding strategy for the Hub’s long-term growth.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with donors and funding partners, ensuring alignment with the Hub’s strategy and values.
• Contribute to the development of compelling funding proposals, concept notes, and presentations for institutional donors, foundations, and other funders.
• Contribute to the delivery of timely, accurate, and transparent grant reporting, including narrative and financial updates.

Essential Requirements

• At least 10 years’ experience in designing and delivering learning programmes, preferably youth and/or adult audiences in communities and vocational rather than academic contexts.
• Spoken and written fluency in English, Kiswahili. Knowledge of other Kenyan languages is an added advantage.
• Deep understanding of competency-based education and vocational qualifications and how they apply to training delivery.
• Strong programme management, coordination, and team leadership experience.
• Background in conservation, natural resource management, regenerative agriculture, organisational or enterprise development, or related field.
• Demonstrated commitment to learner-centred, gender and socially inclusive, and experiential education, with experience supporting diverse learners—including those with limited formal education.
• Proven ability to build trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders across sectors and geographies.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and adapt in a dynamic environment.
• Proficiency with MS Office tools (e.g. Word, Excel) and general digital literacy for learning and collaboration platforms.
• Willingness to be based in Laikipia North onsite at the ACNRR and travel regionally.

Desirable Requirements

• Understanding of the policy and funding landscape for vocational training programmes.
• Experience training local or Indigenous organisations and practitioners.
• Knowledge of online learning platforms and blended learning models.
• Experience designing or delivering train-the-trainer programmes.
• Fluency in French a bonus.