Tsavo-Mkomazi Landscape Manager at African Wildlife Foundation

Description

This position will be responsible for providing leadership, management and accountability for the activities and performance of African Wildlife Foundation’s (AWF) conservation program in the Tsavo Mkomazi in Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania. The Tsavo Landscape Manager will also provide strategic oversight and direction for the implementation of the program, ensuring that each of the components are implemented in line with AWF practice and global standards taking account of the local conditions. The position oversees staff consisting of Ecologist, Research officer, Community Development officer and Field Assistants as well as Finance and Administration staff. The Landscape Manager will have support from AWF technical and administrative teams, who will provide guidance on implementation according to AWF standards, which are continuously strengthened to ensure alignment with global excellence in conservation and development practices. The position will be based in Voi and will report to the Country Director. This position will work closely with the Senior Director, Program Management & Partnerships.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

Project Management

• Provide leadership for effective coordination and implementation of AWF’s landscape conservation program in the Tsavo-Mkomazi landscape.
• Lead in Stakeholder engagement in the landscape: Government authorities in the natural resource sectors (Wildlife Authorities, Agriculture/Livestock, Water resources etc.) in both Kenya and Tanzania; Peer organizations and other conservation partners; Communities, Professional bodies and the Private sector to advance conservation interests and goals in line with AWF Kenya’s collaboration and partnership policy framework and strategy.
• Provide technical oversight to the Landscape for field-based conservation actions, by focusing on: application of sustainable natural resources management; strengthening natural resource governance; participatory land and resource use planning, while increasing livelihood opportunities for communities within the landscape.
• Develop and schedule program work plan in accordance with specifications and funding limitations; Coordinate activities of program and determine priorities.
• Participate in knowledge management through conservation research, publication and dissemination of scientific research including representing AWF Kenya in national, regional and international conservation platforms.
• Champion the domestication of relevant national and regional policy instruments at local level in the designated landscape.
• Represent AWF at County and Local government level, and in the development of local level policies, with emphasis on wildlife and biodiversity conservation.
• In consultation with supervisor, further develop strategic partnerships in the landscape and grow the programme.
• Supervise the team on the ground to improve and strengthen stakeholder forums for ongoing dialogue between Wildlife Authorities, CBOs and private sector and professional bodies.
• Work with AWF experts on community aspects of conservation to ensure programmatic guidance in designing and strengthening community livelihoods programs; ensure proper participation and that livelihood support is linked to wildlife and biodiversity conservation in this landscape.
• Manage day-to-day operations of the Tsavo Landscape program, which includes: effective administration, human resources, tracking of the Landscape project/program finances, program monitoring and evaluation, timely accurate and verifiable donor reporting, and effective coordination and cooperation between project partners and key government depts. and wildlife authorities.
• Work with the Program Design team to generate project concepts for funding proposals to support the implementation of AWF’s strategy in the Landscape.

• Work with the Strategy team to implement AWF’s next 5-10-year strategy for the landscape.
• Work with the Communications and Marketing teams to communicate AWF messages through newsletters, reports and regular updates.
• Ensure knowledge of AWF’s rights-based approach to Conservation and ensure this is embedded and enforced in AWF’ programming

Management of Resources and Budgets

• Develop bankable conservation proposals as part of the wider resource mobilization strategy;
• In consultation with the finance team, develop a cost-effective budget, schedule and track conservation programmes and budgets to ensure compliance;
• Ensure prudent management and safety of conservation assets and resources;
• Work with the Program Management and Grants Management teams to ensure annual work plans and budgets are produced in a timely way and are uploaded in AWF project management

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Conservation Related Field. Masters an advantage.
• 10+ years of proven managerial, administrative and field experience in conservation.
• At least 5 years’ experience of working on complex programmes at landscape level with multiple and diverse implementation partners and stakeholders – including high level political engagement, community livelihood initiatives – with cross-cutting themes and multiple objectives;

• Strategic experience working with multi stakeholders – Government ministries and agencies, Private Sector, communities and peer organizations
• Experience of successfully managing large projects and delivering timely and verifiable results.
• Demonstrated knowledge and mastery of global standards and practices for conservation including in protected area planning and management, participatory land use planning, community conservation, rights-based approaches, and integrated conservation and development.
• Proficiency in English (spoken and written), Kiswahili will be an added advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to build capacity of multiple stakeholders and facilitate multi-stakeholder processes to engage in landscape planning and management.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills including the ability to build coalitions, negotiate, and manage conflict; familiarity with protocols associated with working in both Kenya and Tanzania.
• Genuine respect for the skills and perspectives of communities, partner organizations and the private sector.
• Conservancy management experience a strong advantage
• Good report writing skills and working knowledge of computers and MS Office software package.
• Unwavering integrity
• Experience working with Government agencies
• Commitment to AWF and its mission.

• Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams
• A task oriented, result focused and collaborative leadership approach with a thorough understanding of project management disciplines.
• Experience and a proven success record in working and implementing projects