Career Openings at Rainforest Alliance

Position summary:

Rainforest Alliance is looking for a motivated and results oriented Project Manager for an upcoming Gusii Coffee Landscape Project, to be part of the Kenya team. The incumbent shall coordinate the implementation of project deliverables as per the Project plan in greater Gusii Region in Kenya around key Regenerative Agriculture approaches in Gusii Coffee landscape. By working closely with key project partners, the incumbent will lead all aspects of the project cycle management in both Kisii and Nyamira counties with a special focus on already identified smallholder coffee cooperative societies which we are working with towards becoming RA-certified. The incumbent fosters a culture of coordination, consultation, and collaboration amongst the project team and project stakeholders, with colleagues from all relevant units across the region and globally and ensures excellence in all aspects of our mission delivery within Kenya, including safeguarding the quality of our commitments to our partners, and compliance with policies and procedures.

This position works closely with a small team of experts internally and externally with other partners within the same scope in accordance with Rainforest Alliance policies and applicable laws.

Responsibilities: 

• The Rainforest Alliance’s Core Values are Impact, Change, Collaboration, Openness and Trust and as such they form the basis of the behaviours we demonstrate:
• Lead the rollout of project activities as per the project plan and collaborate with implementing partners and other stakeholders on the same;
• Responsible for technical, financial, and administrative aspects of the project and other areas as may be assigned;
• Maintain regular presence in project sites and support implementing partners and other experts in roll out of the project activities;
• Build and maintain partnerships with producer communities, civil society organizations, donors, corporations, and governments for successful implementation of the project;
• With support from the Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) colleagues at Rainforest Alliance, develop and regularly update monitoring and evaluation plan for the project and support internal and external project evaluations;
• Collaborate with Rainforest Alliance management to effectively identify, mitigate and manage risks, challenges and conflicts during project implementation;
• Collect stories and information from the field (including case studies, standard methodologies and lessons) and develop materials to communicate the projects’ achievements and to support external relations;
• Establish and support partnership strategies as per the projects’ communication plan and Rainforest Alliance strategy in general;
• Support efforts to design new project for scaling-up best practices and fundraise, in close collaboration with other team members and experts; 
• Organize and accompany visits by Rainforest Alliance partners and other colleagues;
• Participate actively in events/seminars/workshops relevant to the project as well as Rainforest Alliance’s work in the region as authorized by the Country Director;
• Develop timely progress reports, annual plan and budget for the project and support with contractual compliance with third parties as per Rainforest Alliance requirements; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 

• MSc or BSc degree in a relevant field (agronomy, natural resources, forestry or related);
• At least 7 years proven experience in developing and leading projects and programs in forestry, agriculture and or landscape management in Kenya with the involvement of the private sector and/or certification schemes;
• Experience of coffee production systems key; experience in production systems of other cash crops an added advantage;
• Experience on livelihoods or inclusion of vulnerable groups (youth, women, PWDs) in agricultural value chains;
• One year’s experience in management; or equivalent in coaching, mentoring, and training junior staff;
• At least 5 years of similar experience in implementing donor funded projects by bi-lateral organizations or companies;
• Knowledge of, and commitment to sustainability practices including but not limited to social, environmental, and most importantly economic practices;
• Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships of trust and confidence with project partners, colleagues, producer groups and local stakeholders;
• Ability to work within a team structure as well as independently, under pressure and stay focused, be creative and take initiative;
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and a high level of diplomacy and professionalism;
• Strong organizational skills to lead multiple priorities in a time critical manner;
• Ability to understand and analyse data in various formats, aggregate information and report on trends and findings, with ability to think strategically and creatively;
• Experience in computer Microsoft Office (Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Publisher) and familiar with modern enterprise video communications and the use of IT technologies and/or various landscape management applications.
• Willingness and ability to travel a minimum of 20% per year in another related program site in Kenya;
• Strong personal ethics and integrity and commitment to uphold the rules and values of the Rainforest Alliance; and
• Fluency in Swahili an added advantage.

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Position summary:

The Senior Associate, Natural Resource Management is responsible for coordinating, implementing as well as advising on all-Natural Resource Management (NRM) related activities for Rainforest Alliance Mount Kenya Sustainable Landscape and Livelihoods Program in Kenya. The Senior Associate NRM will support the Program by working with Rainforest Alliance staff, partners, consultants, and stakeholders to build, monitor and manage a sound NRM system that supports an integrated landscape management to enable achievement of program’s outcomes and impacts. The position includes training and advising technical staff, partners, stakeholders, and field consultants on NRM processes in accordance with the Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard, government policies and international best practices. The incumbent is also expected to coordinate closely with other Rainforest Alliance units to share knowledge and learnings. The position is open to expand in time and geography depending on funding and performance.

Responsibilities: 

• The Rainforest Alliance’s Core Values are Impact, Change, Collaboration, Openness and Trust and as such they form the basis of the behaviours we demonstrate:
• Support the Team Manager in planning and implementation of activities related to natural resource management, rehabilitation and reforestation, biodiversity conservation, sustainable utilization of natural resources for economic gains, natural resource financing and policy across the Mt Kenya landscape;
• Supporting and sensitizing the communities and program stakeholders on sustainable natural resource management (i.e. land, water, forests, energy, environment, flora and fauna management) and their interrelationship with agricultural production within the project area;
• Supporting the establishment of participatory landscape governance structures, ensuring full participation of local communities, private sector, public sector, forest dependent communities, women and youth and all relevant stakeholders within the landscape;
• Offer technical support during capacity strengthening of Community Forest Associations (CFAs) and Water Resource Users Associations (WRUAs) and link them to Mt. Kenya Landscape Management Board (LMB) in the focused counties;
• Supporting in the development of sustainable landscape development management plans taking into consideration sustainable production for improved farmers’ livelihoods, forest and water bodies protection and restoration, and community engagement and social inclusion;
• Mobilizing private and public sector resources for agricultural production and biodiversity conservation and aligning of efforts towards realization of sustainable landscape;
• Building farmers’ and communities climate change and economic resilience through diversification of livelihoods, employing alternative and innovative methods of production and green investments that are both economically attractive and environmentally sound;
• Support in the assessment of progress toward achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) in the project site through estimating changes in carbon capture resulting from changes in farmers and forest communities management practices towards adoption of CSA practices, improved conservation, green entrepreneurship, and diversified enterprises;
• Monitor and disseminate relevant scientific developments on climate change impacts and adaptation strategies, particularly as they affect biodiversity and communities in key ecoregions, and disseminate best practice;
• Work closely with program team, subgrantees, consultants, and/or external partners to execute workplans, reporting, facilitate field visits and surveys, media and communication and collaborate with stakeholders and Rainforest Alliance colleagues for effective program management; and
• Undertaking other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resources Management, Agroforestry, or related field;
• Minimum 5 years of proven experience in a similar position;
• Clear understanding of natural resource management concepts in the context of integrated landscape approaches to conservation and livelihood improvement;
• Clear understanding of regenerative agriculture and agroforestry practices for improved soil health, nutrient recycling and adaptation and mitigation of climate change;
• Knowledge of certification programs in the context of biodiversity conservation and sustainability practices;
• Competency in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and related computer programs e.g. ArcGIS, QGIS, ERDAS Imagine, Global Mapper, ENVI, Carbon calculation and computer Microsoft Office (Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Publisher);
• Knowledge in carbon foot printing and Environmental and Social Impact Assessments. Registration from National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) is a plus;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. Spoken Kiswahili is a plus;
• Ability to travel locally and internationally at least 30% of the time.