Country Manager at Fauna & Flora International (FFI)

Start Date:            As soon as possible
Duration of Contract:    Two-year, fixed term
Probation Period:        Six months
Gross Salary Range:    USD 50,000 – USD 60,000 per annum, dependent on experience
Location:    Nairobi, Kenya with travel within Kenya to FFI project sites, and travel within the region and to the UK as required.
Benefits:     25 working days’ annual leave entitlement plus national public holidays observed in Kenya
Hours of Work:     This is a full-time position, working Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 5.00pm, with a one-hour lunch break.

Final appointment is subject to resumption of conditions that, in FFI’s judgement, enable the role to be carried out following the measures and travel restrictions introduced by the relevant authorities in response to Covid-19 outbreak.

Job Description

Reporting to:        Senior Programme Manager, Eastern Africa
Line manager of:   Finance & Administration Manager, Kenya Programme Manager (Terrestrial), Kenya Programme Manager, Marine, Kenya Technical Specialist Livelihoods & Governance, Kenya
Key Relationships:   
Africa Regional Team (UK and International)
Finance Team (UK)
Cross cutting teams, Development and Communication teams
Working with:    The Country Manager will represent FFI and routinely liaise with identified national and local government agencies, communities and community-based organisations, civil society organisations, international and national partner NGOs and for-profit entities, academic institutions, funders and donors, representing the values and interests of FFI at all times.       

Purpose:
To ensure the effective development, management and implementation of FFI’s Kenya Programme of work. The role will be responsible for overall management of the programme, including overseeing implementation of activities, expenditure of the programme and project budgets in line with FFI and donor compliance; management of the country office; HR management; and all internal and external reporting. The role will be required to strengthen internal systems and operations, and develop external relationships that enable FFI Kenya to deliver impactful conservation action through the creation and maintenance of a healthy project and funding pipeline.

Specific Duties:

• Programme Development and Fundraising
  • Under the direction of the Director of Operations, Africa and Senior Programme Manager Eastern Africa, lead and facilitate strategic planning for the Kenya programme, in line with FFI’s business plan and strategy
  • Keep the Senior Programme Manager Eastern Africa apprised of conservation issues and strategic priorities for FFI in Kenya
  • In collaboration with the Senior Programme Manager Eastern Africa ensure that the Kenya programme and all projects are well resourced, meet business need and have credible future pipeline options, including but not limited to:
    • Developing and inputting to project concepts and proposals, in line with approved strategic plans
    • Identifying and developing opportunities to raise funds for projects with partners
    • Engaging with the Finance Business Partner, Africa to ensure proposals reflect staff and overhead cost recovery
  • Promote FFI’s work in Kenya to external donors, diplomatic and development agencies,
  • NGOs, corporate for-profit entities and all other relevant bodies
  • In collaboration with the Senior Programme Manager Eastern Africa and other relevant FFI staff and partners, ensure FFI programme and projects in Kenya have an up to date Theory of Change that includes a robust M&E framework
• Partnership Development
  • In line with agreed strategies, proactively develop and manage key relationships and partnerships in Kenya, subject to satisfactory due diligence where relevant, in order to maintain and enhance the local programme of work and to maximise the effective delivery of FFI’s Kenya strategy
  • Ensure the consultation and inclusion of appropriate stakeholders in the design and implementation of all FFI project activities in Kenya
  • Support the building of organisational and technical capacity of in-country partners to implement the elements of their institutional mission that overlap with FFI’s strategic plans
  • Liaise as necessary with government agencies, NGOs and FFI in-country staff to promote, facilitate and engage in relevant policy and regulatory processes at the most appropriate levels
  • Lead on the development and negotiation of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with partners, in consultation with Senior Programme Manager Eastern Africa and in accordance with FFI documentation and FFI’s Delegation of Authorities
• Programme Representation
  • Represent FFI at key fora, meetings and workshops and develop FFI’s profile in Kenya as required
  • Ensure membership of relevant fora and associations to support and further the work of the Kenya programme
• Programme Management
  • Supervise the Finance & Administration Manager, Kenya, and maintain oversight of, and accountability for required legal and financial administration processes, registrations and insurances to ensure the legal compliance of FFI’s operations in Kenya
  • Act as the legal representative of FFI in Kenya as appropriate
  • Ensure effective administration of FFI’s operations in Kenya, including:
    • Development and implementation of in-country systems, policies and procedures, that accord, to the extent possible, with FFI institutional systems, policies and procedures and Delegation of Authorities
    • Compliance with national and institutional Health & Safety policies and procedures
  • Supervise the Kenya team and in collaboration with the Finance Business Partner, Africa, maintain oversight of, and where relevant, lead on accurate financial management of all FFI Kenya projects
  • In collaboration with the Senior Programme Manager Eastern Africa, and other FFI staff as relevant, ensure compliance with Kenyan employment legislation, including:
    • Managing recruitment of international and in-country staff and consultants, ensuring necessary visas, work permits etc. are secured
    • Ensuring national contracts comply with local labour laws, FFI’s Delegation of Authorities and, to the extent possible, with institutional HR practice
    • Ensuring tax, social security and other mandatory systems are in place in compliance with local labour and tax laws
    • Ensuring the Senior Programme Manager Eastern Africa and HR Department, Cambridge is aware of all liabilities arising from labour law that might impact on staffing and budgets
  • Remain informed of arising issues such as security and health & safety within the Eastern Africa region and communicate issues of concern swiftly to Senior Programme Manager Eastern Africa, advising of potential impact on staff, operations, projects, finances and funders
  • In collaboration with the Senior Programme Manager Eastern Africa, develop strategies to manage impacts caused by issues such as security and health & safety, including to staff, partners, donors and other appropriate stakeholders
  • In collaboration with the Senior Programme Manager Eastern Africa, lead the development and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to mitigate potential risk to FFI operations and staff within the Kenya programme
• Project and Grant Management
  • Provide active management of Kenya Programme Managers for implementation of projects across the Kenya programme, maintaining oversight of, and where relevant leading on compliance to donor and institutional policies, work planning and completion of donor and institutional progress and financial reporting as required
  • Lead on the annual budgeting and reforecasting process for the Kenya programme
• Human Resources
  • Provide strong and motivational line management to FFI staff in Kenya to ensure efficient and effective delivery of FFI’s conservation programme, through objective setting, continuous performance management, annual appraisal, training provision and personal development planning
• Technical Project Support
  • Provide targeted technical input and backstopping towards the design, development, management and monitoring of FFI projects in Kenya, ensuring input from relevant technical and cross-cutting team members to address any gaps and ensure a holistic approach is considered
  • Provide technical advice as required to partner organisations and individual community-based initiatives, including in the areas of institutional development, governance and financial management
  • Provide technical support and oversight as needs on any resultant funded projects
• Communications
  • Ensure regular and effective communication and coordination with team members in Kenya and Cambridge
  • In collaboration with relevant Africa Programme and wider FFI staff, support the development of communications and fundraising materials (e.g. web pages, profiles, articles) to support the development of FFI’s Kenya programme
  • Handle incoming requests for support and information on FFI projects and prospects in Kenya
  • In collaboration with the Senior Programme Manager Eastern Africa, facilitate dissemination of lessons learnt in Kenya, UK and internationally
• General
  • Work as an active member of the Africa team, attend Africa team meetings and participate in Africa regional programme planning and monitoring, communicating frequently with the regional team to facilitate efficient management and collaboration
  • Provide input, where appropriate, on other technical work undertaken by the Africa programme
  • With the agreement of the Senior Programme Manager Eastern Africa, perform any other tasks that may be requested from time to time that are appropriate to skills and experience, including broader representation of FFI and its Programmes

Person Specification
   
Skills   

Essential

• Excellent project management skills with proven experience in project design, development, implementation and evaluation
• Excellent leadership and people management skills, with ability to motivate and performance manage individuals to achieve results
• Proven ability to develop, maintain and leverage partnerships for work at scale, including governments, national and local NGOs, community groups and businesses
• Excellent financial management and numeracy skills, including budgeting and reforecasting
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with ability to present, negotiate and persuade at all levels with confidence and credibility
• Fluency in English and Kiswahili (spoken and written)
• Exceptional prioritisation and time management skills, with ability to work to multiple deadlines
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills, including Outlook and Excel

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• MSc degree in a related field (e.g. conservation, marine ecology, rural development, project management) and at least 7 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Substantial professional experience in conservation programme development and management
• Experience managing teams to deliver complex projects, including non-direct line management relationships i.e. partners
• Proven fundraising record, with experience nurturing and managing donor relationships
• Proven grant management experience
• Experience working with Kenyan institutions in management/conservation of natural resource
• Understanding of the statutory and regulatory frameworks within which to operate
• Experience working with government agencies, communities and community-based organisations, partner NGOs and for-profit entities

Desirable

• Familiar with current macro-level development projects in the Lamu area, for example the Lamu Port and South Sudan Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) programme
• Experience in institutional development and capacity building

Behavioural qualities  

Essential

• Commitment to FFI’s mission and vision
• Commitment to organisational and legal compliance and responsible management of donor funds
• Rigorous and diligent approach to work
• Demonstrated willingness to think creatively, to problem-solve, and to try new approaches
• Ability to represent FFI in politically sensitive or unsettled contexts
• Team player, demonstrating ability to seek out and harness the views and contributions of others
• Ability to build positive personal and organisational relationships
• Ability to work within a multi-cultural environment

Other

Essential   

• Entitlement to live and work in Kenya (without employee sponsorship)
• Available to travel domestically and/or internationally, and work occasional evening and weekend hours