The Kenya Country Director is expected to be a highly visible individual in the country’s conservation sector maintaining relationships with decision makers in government, donor agencies and sectors shaping land and resource use. The Country Director must also possess the capacity to manage programs with social, political, cultural and economic complexities. He/she is expected to be results oriented and able to provide leadership to a team of highly qualified professionals to achieve results and meet program targets and goals. He/she will be expected to exercise a high degree of decision making and sound judgment. He/she will be expected to host international delegations – donors, policy makers, etc. – to learn about AWF’s work and witness the impact we are achieving.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
General Management, Leadership, Government Support and Policy

Participate in the recruitment of relevant country program staff in Nairobi, Tsavo and any new landscapes in Kenya.
Increase number of influential Africans who speak on behalf of wildlife conservation
Establish a high level of credibility and manage strong working relationship with both internal and external stakeholders
Enhance effectiveness and prominence of African conservation leaders
Increase engagement of women and youth in conservation
Drive the adoption of innovative development policies and investment plans that preserve and restore wildlife and wildlands
Support government leaders with policy analysis, development and implementation at national and international levels including support for key international treaties including Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
Promote AWF as the institution that assists the Kenyan government and other partners in creating solutions that deliver on conservation and development ambitions
Ensure a collaborative approach to position AWF as a thought leader and draw on capacities within and external to AWF to achieve our country strategy
Develop excellent working relationships with major stakeholder groups, national governments, protected area authorities, local government, community and private sector, in the region.
Identify, engage and recruit potential candidates for the AWF Board of Trustee

Program Development & Growth

Lead the development of the Kenya Country Strategy in collaboration with key stakeholders, AWF HQ and landscape staff, Strategy teams and other AWF departments.
Support the expansion of AWF’s conservation and development project portfolio in Kenya.
Engage donors, providing donors with updates on AWF programme priorities, insights from implementation, and facilitate connection to host country processes and people to raise profile of how wildlife and wild lands fit into donor programming
Inform the International Policy & Government Relations team of developments in country related to donor priority areas and collaborate to engage donors and facilitate alignment between donor and Kenya government priorities; and
Collaborate with fundraising, communications and technical teams to prepare materials for in-country donor engagement help design, develop and build new programs in Kenya that meet AWF’s objectives and mission.
Participate in and support the development and design of funding proposals for submission to key donors for support of the program.
Cultivate and steward donors – prospective and existing – in key fundraising markets.
Keep abreast of relevant programs and opportunities in Kenya for AWF involvement, including funding opportunities, and link as appropriate relevant staff to opportunities such as Program Design and Philanthropy.
Represent AWF at national and County government levels and with other donors to ensure effective collaboration and maintenance of AWF’s reputation and role as a conservation leader in Kenya.

Program Oversight and Implementation
· Provide technical/functional support to the project managers and their teams for the development, management and successful implementation of programs in Kenya.
· Ensure program activities are in line with Government objectives and are compliant with national laws and regulations.

Support project managers to ensure full compliance with any donor agreements and AWF policies and procedures.
Establish a high level of credibility and manage strong working relationship with both internal and external stakeholders.
Promote teamwork, professionalism, and integrity.
Provide leadership in tracking and reporting of program performance against prescribed criteria to AWF and partners in a timely manner.
Work with AWF’s Finance Department to develop and track working annual budgets, ensure efficient use of resources and eliminate fraud.
Support an operational data collection, management, reporting and learning framework (M & E).

Public Relations, Corporate Communications and Marketing

Be the focal point for all AWF communications within Kenya.
Work closely with the AWF global communications teams to ensure consistent and coordinated messaging and branding within Kenya
Collaborate with global communications team in promoting AWF programmes and highlighting both successes and challenges within country and globally.
Track and provide timely updates to global communications teams regarding news, issues and events of importance to AWF’s reputation as Africa’s conservation leader.
Ensure strong internal communications for AWF staff within the country.
Ensure a collaborative approach to position AWF as a thought leader and draw on capacities within and external to AWF to achieve our country strategy

Supervision

Functionally (matrix) supervise the Tsavo/ Mkomazi Landscape Manager
Develop and motivate team members to contribute to their full ability to AWF’s mission, vision, and strategic plan
Promote teamwork, professionalism, and integrity.
Ensure that AWF values and culture are imbedded within and upheld by the Kenya Landscape team; ensure roles & responsibilities are clearly defined and performance is managed with the required focus and discipline.

Other

Represent AWF globally at key fundraising meetings, events, international meetings, policy discussions, etc.
Undertake any other relevant duties as may be requested

Qualifications

Post graduate qualification (MSc or PhD) in natural sciences, social sciences, economics, etc.
Minimum 12+ years of proven leadership, managerial and program experience in conservation, development and/or business.
Experience in leading implementation of large and complex projects with a solid understanding of conservation in Kenya and how to deliver effective sustainable conservation programs that benefit wildlife and communities
Results focused orientation with proven track record of delivery
Ability to manage and motivate a highly qualified team of professionals in different fields
Solid understanding of financial management and budgeting
Proficiency in English and Kiswahili (spoken and written)
Experience leading and managing large complex projects budgets, delivering and reporting results, and ensuring compliance with donor requirements
Outstanding interpersonal skills including the ability to build coalitions, negotiate, and manage conflict situations
Outstanding communication skills with ability to clarify vision and strategy
Experience working on policy initiative with different levels of government (especially senior levels) and partners in Kenya
Genuine respect for the skills and perspectives of communities, partner organizations and the private sector
Good report writing skills and working knowledge of computers and MS Office software package
Demonstrated success in cultivating and stewarding donors of all kinds: government, individuals, private sector and private foundations.
Sound understanding and motivational fit in conservation
Commitment to AWF and its mission

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