Jobs at Natural State

The Executive Assistant (EA) will provide high-level administrative, operational, and strategic support to the President and Chair of the Board for NATURAL STATE as well as the Vice President. The ideal candidate will be exceptionally organized, discreet, proactive, and passionate about environmental conservation. The role requires someone who can navigate international schedules, manage sensitive information, and act as a critical support hub in a dynamic, global non-profit environment.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Support

• Manage the President’s calendar, appointments, meetings, and travel across multiple time zones.
• Prepare briefing materials, reports, and agendas for meetings, conferences, and donor engagements.
• Act as a liaison between the President and internal/external stakeholders, including board members, funders, and partners.
• Support meeting coordination including scheduling, notetaking, follow-ups, and action tracking.
• Draft and edit high-level correspondence, presentations, and organisational reports.

Organizational Coordination

• Support the coordination of senior leadership team meetings and strategic planning sessions.
• Assist in project tracking and organizational dashboards relevant to the Executive Office
• Coordinate with Impact Monitoring, Nature Finance, Fundraising & Communications, Africa Centre for Nature Restoration and Resilience (ACNRR) and Operations/Program teams on Executive-level priorities.

Travel and Event Logistics

• Arrange complex international travel, visas, accommodations, and itineraries.
• Provide remote logistical support during field missions or special guest/donor visits.
• Support in planning and coordinating special events, donor trips, and key organizational milestones.

Confidentiality & Governance

• Maintain a high level of confidentiality and discretion in handling sensitive matters.
• Support Board of Directors logistics, communications, and minute-taking when required.

Essential Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years in a similar role, preferably in the non-profit, conservation, or international development sector.
• Bachelor's degree in business administration, Environmental Studies, International Relations, or a related field/social sciences.
• Experience in drafting agreements documents as well as contracts, especially in Kenyan and US contexts.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English (additional languages a plus).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Zoom, and virtual collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Asana, Trello).
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize and multitask under pressure.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information
• Experience building trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders across sectors and geographies.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and adapt in a dynamic environment.
• Experience working across cultures and time zones; adaptable and culturally sensitive.

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Responsibilities:

Laboratory Operations & Quality Management

• Manage daily operations of the lab, ensuring optimal workflow, safety, and compliance with quality standards (e.g., ISO/GLP where applicable).
• Co-develop and implement a strategy for the lab
• Oversee and implement analytical methodologies in spectroscopy, eDNA, invertebrate, and soil biodiversity analysis.
• Ensure rigorous quality control and assurance procedures across all lab activities.
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), lab protocols, and health & safety documentation.
• Oversee data management standards and digital pipelines to ensure traceability, reproducibility, and integration with broader analytical frameworks
• Lead the development of a comprehensive QA/QC framework covering sample handling, analysis, equipment calibration, and reporting.

Commercialisation & Service Provision

• Co-develop and implement the lab’s commercialisation strategy, establishing fee-for-service models for internal departments and external partners.
• Define service pricing structures, forecast revenue, and manage lab P&L in alignment with organizational goals.
• Build and manage relationships with external clients and partners, ensuring delivery of timely, accurate, and cost-effective analytical results.
• Monitor and report on lab performance metrics (e.g., turnaround times, cost per sample, client satisfaction).
• Explore and develop partnerships with other service providers to compliment the NS lab’s capabilities, leveraging advances in AI and machine learning to optimise analysis and outputs.

Capacity Building & Team Leadership

• Supervise and mentor a multidisciplinary team of lab technicians, analysts, students, and interns.
• Identify skills gaps and provide professional development opportunities to build a high-performing lab team.
• Develop and deliver regular training sessions on lab conduct and health and safety standards, ensuring a culture of scientific integrity within the lab.
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, and performance evaluation processes for lab personnel.

Research & Development Support

• Collaborate with internal research teams and the Impact Monitoring department to design and support field sampling campaigns and analytical studies.
• Contribute to the development and validation of new analytical techniques and tools.
• Actively contribute to the development of the strategic framework for scaling lab operations.

Resource & Infrastructure Management

• Manage lab inventory, procurement, and maintenance of analytical instruments (e.g., spectrometers, sequencing equipment, microscopes).
• Oversee the calibration, troubleshooting, and upgrading of lab equipment.

Requirements:

• MSc or PhD in Environmental Science, Ecology, Molecular Biology, Analytical Chemistry, Soil Science, or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years of experience in laboratory management or senior lab role, preferably in an environmental or ecological context.
• Proven experience in at least one of the following: spectroscopy, molecular biology/genetics or soil biodiversity.
• Demonstrated ability to manage laboratory budgets, resources, and teams.
• Experience delivering scientific services on a commercial basis or within contract research environments.
• Familiarity with regulatory frameworks and standards for lab accreditation.
• Strong project management skills and client communication experience.
• Experience mentoring junior staff and students

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We are seeking a passionate and experienced leader to drive the design, delivery, and visibility of the Indigenous & Community Solutions Hub. The Lead will work directly with IPLC organisations across Laikipia, Kenya, and beyond to co-create knowledge, foster peer learning, support capacity development, and influence wider restoration policy and practice. This is a unique opportunity to support nature’s community custodians in shaping the future of restoration on their own terms.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Programme Leadership

• Develop and implement a bold, community-led vision for the Indigenous & Community Solutions Hub that supports long-term resilience, equity, and ecological impact and aligns to the overall ACNRR strategy.
• Build and maintain strong, respectful relationships with IPLC leaders, organisations, and networks across Laikipia, Kenya, and Africa, ensuring all work is community guided.
• Follow Natural State’s programme management processes and systems to support timely delivery and communication of programmatic milestones.

Knowledge Sharing & Storytelling

• Support IPLC organisations to document, synthesise, share, and promote their restoration approaches and innovations.
• Co-develop and deliver platforms for peer learning, storytelling, and solutions and evidence sharing among IPLC organisations.
• Enable community-led research partnerships on related topics.

Capacity Strengthening

• Identify key capacity needs among community nature custodian organisations and coordinate, co-create, and co-deliver training, mentoring, and peer exchange opportunities.
• Facilitate access to other ACNRR programmes (e.g., the Enterprise Accelerator or Lifelong Learning) to support organisational growth and sustainability.

Design & Management of the Restoration Innovation Incubator

• Lead the full design, delivery, and evolution of the Restoration Innovation Incubator, including strategic direction, implementation systems, and impact measurement.
• Develop inclusive, accessible application and selection processes that centre community values and priorities.
• Provide tailored mentoring, technical support, and peer exchange opportunities for participating organisations.
• Support documentation, learning, and storytelling from funded innovations to influence wider restoration practice and policy.
• Manage the Incubator’s operational systems (e.g., budgeting, contracting, reporting) in coordination with the wider ACNRR team.

Fundraising & Donor Engagement

• Collaborate with 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.
• Lead or contribute to the development of compelling funding proposals, concept notes, and presentations for institutional donors, foundations, and other funders.
• Ensure that community perspectives and priorities are reflected in fundraising narratives and proposals.
• Oversee or contribute to the delivery of timely, accurate, and transparent grant reporting, including narrative and financial updates.

Partnerships & Influence

• Represent the Hub in regional and global forums, advocating for IPLC-led restoration and funding equity.
• Collaborate with donors, civil society, research institutions, and governments to amplify community voices and strengthen support systems for community-based restoration leadership.

 Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning

• Lead participatory monitoring and learning approaches that track progress, capture learning, and improve Hub activities over time.
• Produce and contribute to high-quality reports, briefs, and communications that showcase community impact and innovation and influence sector learning.

Essential Requirements

• Lived experience as a member of an Indigenous People or Local Community.
• Proven experience working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples and/or Local Communities in Africa.
• 7-10 years’ work experience in the nature restoration, conservation, and or development sectors.
• Fluency in relevant Kenyan languages and English.
• Familiarity with African rangeland systems and restoration strategies.
• Deep appreciation of Indigenous and local community knowledge systems, customary governance, and land stewardship approaches.
• Strong programme design and delivery skills, with an emphasis on participatory and community-led approaches.
• Experience building trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders across sectors and geographies.
• Excellent communication skills, including storytelling, facilitation, and cross-cultural engagement.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and adapt in a dynamic environment.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and local leadership in conservation and development.
• Fluency with MS office applications including Word and Excel.