Job Openings at World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Kenya

ROLE DESCRIPTION 

The primary responsibility of this position will be to coordinate the co-creation, implementation and interpretation of ecological monitoring approaches for SOKNOT, that will enable the Programme establish trends and underlying causes of conservation and environmental outcomes and impact of the Programme’s work. 

This position will work closely with WWF staff, partners and stakeholders to provide guidance, training and support to develop and implement data collection and analysis that informs adaptive management and contributes to improving the impact of the Programme’s work.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Oversee the delivery of nature-related conservation outcome & impact for SOKNOT-UNGANISHA, such as functional and structural connectivity, habitat health, and wildlife numbers.

• Prepare, support and document innovative approaches for the ecological and natural-science based data collection and interpretation and ongoing monitoring; 
• Further develop capacities and provide training and mentoring of WWF, partner and WMA/Conservancy staff for the assessment and monitoring of wildlife, habitats and other natural resources
• Develop ecological monitoring and research capacities among WWF and partner staff to facilitate monitoring, research and evaluation through training, mentoring and workshops on key ecological research approaches, methods, tools, data analysis and interpretation and related templates
• Design science-based monitoring approaches to assess and capture ecological impacts on wildlife, habitats, functional and structural connectivity and other natural resources and promote the involvement of local communities, WMA/conservancy staff and game scouts through community-based monitoring systems
• Support WWF, partner and WMA/Conservancy staff with the installation, monitoring and interpretation of data/information acquired via Artificial Intelligence (AI) such as camera traps, satellite and drone images etc 
• Collaborate with remote sensing specialists of WWF Country Offices and other organizations for the monitoring of ecological parameters; 
• Cooperate with and support the WWF M&E staff in developing and maintaining a science-based monitoring and evaluation framework for ecological project impacts on wildlife, habitats and natural resources
• Collaborate with the Social Science Coordinator in facilitating the integration of participatory approaches to ecological monitoring wherever possible, by providing guidance, tools and training to field teams and partner organizations, to enhance uptake of M&E function in the landscape;  
• Provide expert advice and guidance on quantitative research methods and tools that inform SOKNOT-UNGANISHA strategies and improve the delivery of landscape projects on the ground; 
• Support WWF, partners and WMA/Conservancy staff in the collection and interpretation of weather and climate data and correlate those with data on wildlife, habitats and other natural resources to determine climate change impacts and priority areas for climate change adaptation in wildlife, habitat and natural resource management; 
• Lead the data collection and interpretation on human-wildlife conflict data, wildlife populations, habitat health, functional and structural connectivity and climate change-related indicators 
• Collaborate closely with global technical advisors of the WWF Network and Practices; and consultants as necessary
• Champion the use of ecological data to inform decision-making at all levels 
• Communicate, in liaison with the Communication staff where necessary, findings (from research, monitoring and evaluation activities) across WWF and partner organizations to support learning and adaptation
• Contribute to key knowledge outputs (reports, peer review literature, and communications) that communicate methodological development and ecological/conservation impacts
• Support the WWF M&E Staff to summarize key findings and contributing evidence to proposal development and reporting to donors where required including the use of indicators on biodiversity, structural and functional connectivity, climate change and others
• Support WWF, Partner, WMA/conservancy staff in the further development, implementation, monitoring and documentation of environmental safeguards as outlined in WWF’s Environmental and Social Safeguard Framework 
• Advise on the development of ecological research projects and partnerships
• Regularly liaise with other Government- and Non-Government organizations, national and international research institutions and local experts
• Work closely with the Social Science Coordinator and other WWF Staff to enable an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to impact monitoring, which demonstrates impact against the triple challenge (biodiversity, climate adaptation, livelihoods).

PROFILE

 Knowledge and Qualification

• Postgraduate/graduate degree (or equivalent) in relevant field and/or proven experience in natural science/ or environmental conservation
• Demonstrable, substantial practical experience of working on conservation related research projects or impact monitoring in a low-income country especially concerning community-based natural resource management and monitoring and associated adaptive management 
• Practical experience in participatory monitoring, evaluation and research approaches
• Quantitative research experience, including design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of findings through reports, publications and presentations. 
• A background in conservation ecology/ biodiversity conservation research and practice is highly desirable.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong analytical skills including statistical analysis and associated software
• Excellent skills in communication of complex information to a diverse range of stakeholders
• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Confident, strong interpersonal skills and ability to relate to and work effectively with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures, at all levels
• Capacity to undertake research and development work independently as well as part of a team
• Experience in capacity building and coaching of staff from different backgrounds in ecological assessment and monitoring approaches
• Experience in the development of innovative measurement methods for ecological impact
• Previous international organisation / NGO experience
• Experience in the Northern Tanzania-Southern Kenya landscape would be of advantage 

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Major role                                                                   

Project Officer will lead in the development of an integrated rangeland management approach for the sub landscape based on existing best practices for rangeland management and support the implementation of the different Projects activities in the Sub landscape related to rangeland management, monitor progress and provide regular technical reports on the status of the rangeland.   

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate implementation of rangeland related activities of the different Projects within the sub landscape based on the agreed workplans
• Analyze and advice on best approaches for rangeland management arrangements including livestock and wildlife interactions that sustainably benefit community livelihoods in the sub landscape; 
• Enhance the use of appropriate and sustainable technologies in integrated rangeland management across the Amboseli Chyulu sub-landscape;
• Implementation high impact rangelands interventions, through stakeholder participatory frameworks and community mobilization
• Enhance working relationship among the actors within the sub landscape implementing rangeland projects to ensure there is high impact results;
• Ensure timely documentation, accounting and reporting is accomplished according to WWF-Kenya and donor requirements;
• Participates in implementing relevant policy instruments on rangeland management at project level in the Amboseli Chyulu sub-landscape;
• Support relevant administrative tasks for the Project such as organizing project workshops, project travel schedules; preparing project status reports, and creating project presentation materials;
• Support proposal development as part of the wider resource mobilization strategy when necessary;
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned depending on organizational needs.

Qualifications, Experience and Knowledge 

• Bachelor's Degree Range management/Natural Resource Management (Rangeland option) or related field;
• At least five-year field experience in rangeland restoration and rehabilitation methods within drylands, particularly on a donor funded project;
• Experience in quantification of rangeland ecosystem services and rangeland inventory;
• Demonstrated understanding of holistic rangeland techniques and their application in rangeland management;
• Good understanding of Project Management skills
• Demonstrated understanding of rangeland science through evidence of publications in peer review articles and other media;
• Good understanding of software applications (Word, Access, Excel, Power Point, statistical packages);
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation and facilitation skills;
• Experience in working with people from diverse backgrounds, demonstrating high respect cultural differences;
• Ability to work in challenging environments and deliver under tight schedules.

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Position Summary

The Monitoring and Evaluation Officer will be responsible for implementing WWF-Kenya Strategic Plan’s Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) framework with particular focus on supporting Southern of Kenya Landscape (SOK) level MEL. The incumbent will take lead in the development and implementation of performance monitoring and evaluation systems for the Southern of Kenya Landscape. S/he will develop, implement and coordinate MEL activities and events within Landscape; support in monitoring implementation of the institutional strategy at the landscape level; and promote MEL knowledge transfer internally and externally.

 Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) plan and system at the landscape level
• Coordinate and facilitate data management and MEL reporting at the landscape level
• Capacity building and provision of technical support to project staff and partners within the landscape on MEL
• Ensure quality routine data collection, collation, verification, analysis and reporting
• Coordinate baseline assessments and performance evaluation of projects
• Support development of MEL frameworks, MEL plans, work plans, standard operating procedures and systems for MEL
• Identify and clarify monitoring and evaluation requirements, including those related to specific project indicators, and update these throughout the life of projects
• Ensures   compliance   of   all   landscape projects   initiatives   with   established   MEL protocols, WWF Network standards, policy frameworks and best practices;
• Maintain and update the overall landscape indicator tracker for facilitating organizational strategic plan reporting;
• Contribute to the preparation of project reporting, according to donor requirements.
• Provide relevant evidence for learning from projects and at landscape level
• Ensure MEL results are used to consistently improve projects results and performance
• Assist in developing effective MEL guidelines and reporting systems;
• Support rollout and implementation of WWF Kenya’s information and knowledge management system
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications and Knowledge  

• University degree in Natural Resources/Environmental Management/ Monitoring, or Evaluation or relevant discipline plus experience in M&E
• Five years of experience in a lead or supporting role on programme/project implementation, MEL methods and approaches within the INGO/NGO or similar sectors
• Considerable knowledge of computerized information system
•  Knowledge in M& E System Design and Implementation at the project cycle
• Experience in use of learning frameworks, use of Stories of Change, participatory video / video testimonies, use of digital apps for MEL, social learning etc.