Jobs at World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Kenya

About the Role

The OD lead, working under the leadership of the Head of People & Culture, will lead, establish and sustain an Institutional Strengthening strategy for WWF-Kenya towards building a high performing WWF-Kenya National Office that delivers ambitious conservation impact.

The OD Lead will work with the Senior Management Team to develop and implement tailored, aligned, mutually reinforcing strategies for strengthening the WWF-  Kenya National office by ensuring that changes to people processes, business processes,  systems and technology are aligned to our vision and strategic direction.

Roles and responsibilities: 

Organization Development and Institutional Strengthening Strategies

• Creating and implementing culture change management strategies and plans that maximize employee adoption and usage. Seek creative ways of fostering team spirit and a shared vision towards the delivery of WWF-Kenya’s strategic objectives.
• Lead institutional strengthening and implementation of the Organization
• Development Strategy and associated efforts, in order to increase conservation delivery and impact.
• Catalyse the engagement in the Institutional strengthening strategy with the relevant stakeholders in bringing the vision to life, with a view to increasing conservation impact and operational efficiency.
• Facilitate the development of Organisational change scenarios and models to ensure effective mechanisms are in place for managing Organization transformation.
• Support coordination and catalyse synergies of WWF network Organizational development (OD) efforts, to strengthen the performance of WWF-Kenya office and increase conservation impact collaborating closely with relevant Communities of Practice;
• Lead and develop a mechanism for tracking and monitoring progress of institutional strengthening at all levels and provide a regular update on the management process to the Head of People and Culture;
• Establish platforms for regular and periodic consultations and exchanges on institutional strengthening plan and OD strategies with key stakeholders;
• Support culture champions, catalyse staff engagement exercises, coaching and training initiatives to support staff development;
• Lead in building a business case for both financial and non-financial support towards resourcing the Organization Development and Institutional Strengthening Strategies.
• Take a leading role in developing and supporting the delivery of any Partnership Agreements with WWF partner offices.

Communication:

• Regularly assess the “temperature” of the Organisation on an ongoing basis - through surveys and Staff forums, Senior Leadership meetings and through more informal means of feedback like interviews, drop-in sessions, team meetings and providing an action plan to the Senior Leadership team so they can adapt and commit to addressing issues raised.
• Lead, advise and facilitate an internal (and external) communications plan to accompany the institutional strengthening plan at all levels to keep key stakeholders within the WWF Network well informed;
• Ensure appropriate communications, engagement and feedback mechanisms for the SMT in regard to the implementation of the change plan.
• Work with the communications team to ensure effective communication and consultation processes on change initiatives.

Qualifications:

• A university degree in Organization Development and/or management science qualification or equivalent.
• At least 5-7 years’ experience in a similar role with demonstrated success in leading/supporting Organizational change.
• Learning & Development experience, particularly concerning Organizational learning and its integration into a strategic process.
• Track record of successfully supporting major organizational change; influencing, building and sustaining relationships in order to achieve results.
• Experience of, and commitment to, continuous organizational improvement and the ability to act as a culture change agent.

Skills Competencies:

• Excellent influencing, negotiation and interpersonal skills with the capacity to develop and maintain strong relationships at all levels.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including presentation skills.
• Strong coaching/mentoring skills.
• Effective planning and project management skills with the ability to set and work to (personal and team) deadlines.
• The ability to engage conducts diagnosis, analyze findings, generate options and build commitment to solutions.

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About the Role

The post holder will assist the Kenya SOKNOT Programme Coordinator to effectively coordinate, manage and implement the Southern Kenya-Northern Tanzania (SOKNOT) Transboundary Programme in Kenya, in line with the WWF-Kenya Strategic Plan, SOKNOT programme Strategy and relevant National Strategic Plans with a focus on the Mau-Mara-Loita sub-landscape. The post holder will need to work very closely with all relevant thematic, technical leads such as Wildlife lead, Forest lead, Freshwater lead, Climate Change Adaptation lead, and Sustainable economies lead as well as staff based in the national office in Nairobi on policy and legislative engagement, communications, fundraising, and operations.  

The broad vision for the SOKNOT Landscape programme is securing the key natural resources across this expansive transboundary landscape to bring benefits to both wildlife and people. SOKNOT comprises the Mau-Mara-Serengeti, Amboseli-West Kilimanjaro and Tsavo-Mkomazi sub-landscapes with key habitats including wildlife dispersal areas and corridors connecting a network of protected areas. Ensuring improved wellbeing of local communities through improved voice and agency, equitable benefit sharing and diversified and sustainable livelihoods are critical.

This position will, therefore, lead on the coordination, management, monitoring, performance, reporting, and administration of all the activities in the Mau-Mara-Loita sub-landscape.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for effective coordination of the design and development of a suite of projects under a Mau-Mara-Loita sub-landscape programme, with strong technical support from all relevant WWF-Kenya thematic leads and external experts and partners.
• Assist in prioritization of wildlife corridor areas within the sub-landscapes through a multi-stakeholder engagement process, the review and collection of essential baseline data, and the co-creation of appropriate strategies.
• Provide leadership in the Mau-Mara-Loita sub-landscape for implementing field-based conservation actions, focused on strengthening the management of Protected Areas and connecting wildlife migratory corridors and dispersal areas while increasing wellbeing in community areas within this sub-landscape.
• Coordinate the implementation of all other project activities in the sub-landscape addressing multiple themes and habitats (e.g. freshwater, forest, rangelands, climate change adaptation etc.) as well as species connectivity, participatory land-use and governance planning, wildlife crime, nature-based enterprises and human wildlife conflict mitigation.
• Support all relevant thematic leads and the Kenya SOKNOT Co-coordinator to identify and develop excellent working relationships with major landholders, rights holders and other key stakeholder groups (county and national government, commercial, community, private sector, academics, and other local organizations) within the sub-landscape;
• Represent WWF-Kenya and SOKNOT, where required, at national government   levels and ensure effective coordination, collaboration and knowledge sharing between key stakeholders, partners and donors in Kenya;
• Support the Kenya SOKNOT coordinator on the operations of Mau-Mara-Loita sub-landscape programme, to ensure timely delivery of activities through effective coordination and cooperation between project partners and reporting (technical and financial);
• In liaison with the Kenya SOKNOT Programme Coordinator, work with relevant Communication and Knowledge Management staff to ensure both the conservation and social benefits generated by the programme are communicated to the general public and to policy makers as well as the WWF network;
• In liaison with the Kenya SOKNOT Programme Coordinator, work with other WWF-Kenya thematic programs and Operation leads (Finance, Communications, People & Culture, Fundraising & Procurement) to develop work plans and annual budgets;
• In liaison with the Kenya SOKNOT Programme Coordinator, proactively fundraise for the programme through timely and quality responses to funding opportunities that will drive sustainability of the program;
• Support the Kenya SOKNOT landscape coordinator to ensure relevant WWF partners delivery and expenditure is as outlined in contracts, agreed program work plans and budgets.
• Closely support the Kenya SOKNOT Coordinator to effectively liaise and coordinate with the overall SOKNOT Landscape Coordinator based in Arusha, Tanzania.
• As part of a wider team ensure that all Environmental and Social Safeguards are met

Required Knowledge and Experience:

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline e.g. natural sciences, social sciences, conservation biology, landscape ecology, economics, and conservation planning or related field.
• At least 8 years’ working experience in wildlife conservation and socio-economic issues in Kenya.
• At least 4 years’ experience of working on complex programs at national level with multiple and diverse implementation partners and stakeholders - including high level political engagement, community livelihood initiatives - with cross-cutting themes and multiple objectives;
• At least 4 years’ experience in program development and management, including preparing and managing budgets, technical and financial reporting, program monitoring and evaluation, and ensuring compliance with donor requirements for implementation.
• Training and qualification(s) in programme management is desirable and an added advantage

Required Skills and Competencies

• Visionary and results focused leadership approach with a thorough understanding of program management disciplines;
• Ability to network, build and maintain strong relationships at all levels, both internally and with local communities, government agencies, the not-for-profit sector and the scientific community
• Excellent written, strong presentation and communication skills, with fluency in spoken and written English and proficiency in Swahili;
• Ability to drive multi-stakeholder engagement processes including stakeholder workshops, and to build capacity of multiple stakeholders to engage in landscape planning and management;
• Strong community engagement skills and genuine respect for their skills and perspectives, including those of partner organizations and the private sector;
• Problem solving, contract management and conflict management skills
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills    

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About The Role

The post holder will provide leadership and technical expertise in the development, coordination and implementation of the WWF–Kenya Marine Programme under the WWF-Coastal Kenya Programme in line with WWF-Kenya Strategic Plan. Together with the CKP leadership team develop a CKP Conservation Action Plan.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Programmes Development and Implementation
• Lead in the development and implementation of the Marine Programme working closely with the Coastal Kenya Programme Manager, other relevant thematic leads and colleagues based in the head office in Nairobi
• Ensure the successful development and implementation of an impactful marine programme in line with WWF-Kenya’s Strategy, Coastal Kenya Seascape strategy, WWF network priorities and the Coast Kenya Programme (CKP) Action Plan.
• Ensure that social safeguards, in line with WWF’s social policies, are built into the design and implementation of WWF’s marine projects.
• Champion the WWF-Kenya marine programme and marine conservation issues internally, across the WWF Network and externally
• Provides technical support and advice to programme teams and partners implementing the marine strategy.
• Works with relevant key stakeholders and partners, including government agencies, community-based conservation organizations/groups and the private sector to promote sustainable development, utilization, management and conservation of marine resources in Kenya.
• Provide technical expertise on marine resources management to WWF-Kenya and represent WWF-Kenya within the WWF Network Marine Community of Practice.
• Leads in the assessment and reporting of progress, outcomes and impacts against marine programmes and/or projects implementation and work plans/action plans including quality assurance, capacity building and conservation innovations.
• Prepare and present periodic technical reports on the progress of implementation of the marine programme.
• Review programme expenditures and monitor budget utilization in line with approved contracts.
• Directly support and contribute to WWF performance monitoring systems at Office and Network level.

Partnerships, Collaboration & Linkages

• Identify and pursue strategic collaborations and partnerships with governments, development partners, civil society organizations, WWF stakeholders and professional bodies in advancing the marine conservation interests and goals in line with WWF-Kenya’s collaboration and partnership policy framework and strategy.
• Develop and advise on strategic conservation and alliances between WWF Kenya and the WWF Network in order to advance our conservation goals.
• Promote cross programme linkages and synergy for impactful programmes.
• Participate in knowledge management through research for conservation, publication and dissemination of conservation achievements including representing WWF-Kenya in national, regional and international conservation platforms.
• Facilitate cross-border initiatives where relevant, in consultation with the Conservation Director and the Coastal Kenya Seascape Manager.

Resource Mobilization and Management

• Support development of fundraising proposals as part of the wider resource mobilization strategy.
• In consultation with the marine team colleagues, Coastal Kenya Programme Manager and finance team, develop cost-effective work plans and budgets and track delivery and budget utilization to ensure compliance to donor and internal financial regulations and narrative reporting.
• Scope for funding opportunities to attract diverse funding sources.
• Ensure prudent management and safety of assets and resources in designated areas.

Leadership and People Management

• Provide leadership and effective management of staff including coaching, mentoring and performance management under the Marine Programme.
• Coordinate development of marine programme work plans and budgets and staff performance targets and undertake periodic performance reviews for marine programme staff.
• Liaise with Human Resource function in carrying out staff training needs assessments and recommend how best to build capacity (e.g. training, coaching, mentoring, exchanges etc.) to address performance gaps.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Master’s degree in natural resource management, environmental science, marine science, aquatic ecology, biology of conservation or related field. Other additional professional training in related fields such as programme management will be an added advantage.
• 7 years of experience at management level in integrated coastal and marine conservation, fisheries management, marine science, natural resource management, environmental science, aquatic ecology, biology of conservation or a related field.
• Demonstrable experience of leading teams.
• Experience working in the INGO/Development sector is an added advantage.

Key Skills/ Competencies

• Programme design, development and management.
• Knowledgeable in contemporary issues in the Marine sector.
• Proven skills in stakeholder engagement and partnership building with government, peer organizations and local communities.
• Proven skills in ensuring the integration of social safeguards into conservation projects/programmes.
• Leadership and people management skills.
• Technical report writing and proposal development skills.
• Organizational and communication skills.
• Negotiation and influencing skills.
• Financial management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to conceptualize, plan and implement strategic initiatives within the context of conservation, natural resource management, international development, and/or other related fields.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of colleagues in matrix manner.

All interested candidates should submit their applications by Monday, March 30th, 2020.