Jobs at BirdLife International

• We are seeking a highly motivated, skilled, and experienced individual to support implementation of BirdLife International’s Africa policy work and contribute to achievement of the Africa Regional plan as well as the Global Policy Plan to address the biodiversity and climate crises. Supporting site casework in securing Africa’s iconic sites from threats and damaging development and expanding the African Site Casework Emerging Threats (ASCET) Taskforce.

Responsibilities:

• Support ASCET in the development of strategies for site casework, support convening of meetings and follow up on ASCET decisions.
• Support the disbursement, track implementation and reporting by partners on funding from the Emergency site casework Fund.
• Support Secretariat work on the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and other biodiversity-related agreements, including supporting BirdLife International partners to effectively engage nationally.
• Support strengthening of linkages with key regional and subregional agencies to support resolving of the biodiversity crisis, safeguarding of nature and site protection.
• Support capacity building of partners in relevant themes and topics.
• Support resource mobilization for policy work in collaboration with the Line Manager and the fundraising team.
• Ensure effective implementation of assigned projects, including developing workplans, ensuring effective Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL).
• Ensure donor requirements for project monitoring and reporting for each assigned project are achieved in a timely manner. 
• Represent BirdLife at relevant policy meetings as assigned by the Line Manager.
• In collaboration with the communications team, ensure policy, site casework and project outcomes are effectively communicated to BirdLife partners and the public.
• Any other duties that may be assigned by the Line Manager.

Required skills, experience, and qualifications: 

• Degree in conservation, environmental law/policy, or natural sciences.
• Additional qualifications in conservation or related fields an added advantage.
• Knowledge of the conservation/environmental sector within Africa.
• Clear understanding of the triple planetary crises and the role of civil society organizations in addressing them.
• Knowledge of Multilateral Environmental Agreements – especially the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, and the World Heritage Convention.
• Demonstrable experience in conservation, policy, natural resource management or related areas.
• Experience in biodiversity conservation is highly desirable.
• Experience in Multilateral Environmental Agreements engagement is highly desirable.
• Experience in project management, especially in managing biodiversity and Nature based Solutions related projects is a definite advantage.
• Experience in campaigning for nature is an advantage.
• Experience in engaging private sector stakeholders, especially developers and governments is an advantage.
• Good organizational and planning skills and an ability to adhere to deadlines.
• Ability to work under pressure – responsive and flexible.
• Ability to work in a multinational, cross-sectoral and diverse cultural settings including relating with government officials, other civil society organizations and communities.
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills.
• Should be able to communicate with tact and diplomacy.
• Good writing skills are a definite requirement.
• Must work effectively within a team and with stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical skills
• Working knowledge of French would be an added advantage.
• Willingness to travel within the region.

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The job encompasses four main components:

• Leading, coordinating, and monitoring the operations of conservation programmes and large-scale conservation initiatives across Africa.
• Coordinating inputs from the Africa Region into global conservation initiatives, particularly those involving multiple programmes or non-BirdLife organizations.
• Mobilizing resources—including funds, partnerships, and information—to advance BirdLife's conservation efforts in Africa.
• Promoting the conservation achievements of the BirdLife Africa Partnership at both regional and global forums.

The Key Responsibilities:

Lead the operations of Conservation Programmes. 

• Guide and support coordinators in developing and implementing strategies for effective partnership support and delivery of conservation results. 
• Enhance information flow and coordinated actions within units and across the wider secretariat. 
• Ensure operations reinforce the BirdLife model with appropriate Partner engagement. 
• Monitor the effectiveness and efficiency of conservation work and its impacts in Africa.

Coordinate Africa Region’s input into global conservation initiatives. 

• Increase BirdLife's influence on biodiversity conservation in Africa. 
• Promote biodiversity considerations in policies and practices, fostering government, private sector, and civil society cooperation. 
• Lead in the development and implementation of BirdLife global conservation initiatives within Africa.

Mobilize resources for conservation work in Africa. 

• Cultivate relationships for resource mobilization with donors, corporates, philanthropy, and high net worth individuals. 
• Lead the development of large conservation projects. 
• Manage large conservation projects, ensuring the delivery of high-quality reports and deliverables.

Promote BirdLife Conservation achievements. 

• Deliver presentations on achievements at key forums. 
• Negotiate collaboration agreements with strategic partners for key conservation outcomes, ensuring BirdLife leadership and recognition.

Country support. 

• Provide focused support to specific countries, aiding Partners in achieving excellence in management and conservation impact. 
• Coordinate with Supporting Partners to develop and implement country visions for BirdLife engagement.

Organisational management. 

• Offer strategic and operational support to the BirdLife Africa Secretariat as part of the management and coordination teams. 
• Contribute to BirdLife Partnership governance through inputs to the Council of Africa Partnership (CAP) and its subcommittees.

Others

• Undertake any other duties as delegated by the Regional Director, Africa.

Required skills, experience and qualifications:

• Education: A Master’s degree in Natural Resources Management, Natural Science, International relations, International law or a related field.
• Experience: Significant relevant experience, demonstratable at senior management level, in international conservation (with demonstrable experience in Africa) and organisational management.
• Management & Organisation Skills: Strategic management, networking at senior level, negotiation, programme development and management. Ability to act independently and basic financial literacy.
• Knowledge: Design and implementation of complex and multi-stakeholder conservation projects, Excellent understanding of conservation, development and political issues in Africa. Understanding of key institutions driving biodiversity loss and nature conservation in Africa, their mandates and opportunity to influence them, Networking at senior level,
• Communication skills:Ability to promote BirdLife to senior level stakeholders in international organisations, government, private sector and civil society. Ability to write professional articles and give presentations to international audiences
• Analytical Skills: Ability to look at the strategic and operational dimensions of issues and plan accordingly.
• Computer Literacy: Good knowledge of MS Office Suite, presentations, spreadsheets and database management
• Travel: Willingness to travel frequently, up to fifteen weeks per year.
• Languages: Fluency in English is required, and working proficiency in French and/or Portuguese, an advantage