Project Lead for the Kasigau Corridor REDD+ Project (1 Position) – Jobs in Kenya

Company Background
Wildlife Works is a world-leading REDD+ program development and management company, with an effective approach to applying innovative market-based solutions to the conservation of biodiversity. Over its 20-year history, Wildlife Works has established a successful model that uses emerging marketplace for REDD+ Carbon Offsets to protect threatened forests, wildlife and communities. Wildlife protection, community governance and forest protection thus form the three pillars of Wildlife Works’ holistic approach to conservation, while the development and sales of nature-based carbon credits provides forest communities economic pathways to transition from extraction-based to conservation-based livelihoods.

In 2011, the Wildlife Works’ Kasigau Corridor REDD+ Project (KCRP) was successfully validated and verified under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standard (CCB). This was the world’s first REDD+ project to receive issuance of carbon credits and was the world’s first VCS REDD+ mega-project, in that it would result in the avoidance of over 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year for the next 30 years. The KCRP protects over 500,000 acres of highly threatened Acacia-Commiphora dryland forest, securing a critical wildlife migration corridor between Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks, whilst bringing the benefits of direct carbon financing to over 7,500 local landowners and 100,000 local community members in the surrounding communities. To date, the KCRP has been successfully verified under the VCS and CCBA standards six times and is currently undergoing the 7th verification.

Project Lead for the Kasigau Corridor REDD+ Project (1 position)
We are looking for a professional and experienced Project Lead, to plan, direct and coordinate Wildlife Works’ Kasigau Corridor REDD+ Project. She/he will be responsible for maintaining performance, productivity, efficiency and profitability through the implementation of proven and effective methods and strategies. They will be responsible for the all-round management of a large and diverse number of employees in multiple teams, and to efficiently manage a wide variety of departments and activities within the organisation. He/she will report to the Africa Regional Director at Wildlife Works, besides working closely and directly with the Company CEO.

Key Roles and Responsibilities
The Project Lead will be responsible for all aspects involved in the running of the Kasigau Corridor REDD+ Project (KCRP). These include, but are not limited to:
•    Financial monitoring and control, throughout the project, reporting to the Global Finance Manager through the Regional Finance Manager and Regional Director
•    Creating  budgets and timelines  to ensure the smooth running of the project. With the assistance of the finance department, ensure funds are not mis-appropriated, are utilised to their best effect and within the approved budget. Ensure policy on anti-corruption is followed diligently
•    Working closely with and promoting excellent relations with local landowners and communities surrounding the project area. Ensuring that the benefit sharing procedure of the REDD+ project is thoroughly understood and properly implemented
•    Day-to-day management and coordination of Heads of Departments who oversee 350+ staff members, to ensure the project needs are met and maintained to a high standard
•    Final decision-making across all the departments of the project, with the assistance of the various senior managers, departmental heads and their teams
•    Ensuring the project is fulfilling its obligations as outlined within the project design document (PDD) under the REDD+ project, and all project elements attain the required level to be verified under CCBA and VCS standards
•    Cultivating, maintaining, encouraging, and actively promoting good working relationships with relevant external stakeholders and partners, including key National Government agencies (like KWS, KFS and Kenya Police), the County Government and Non-governmental organisations working in the project area
•    Networking and being the Company ambassador including hosting visiting groups, and representing the company in national policy processes regarding REDD+, working closely with the Wildlife Works’ Global Policy Director
•    Working with the international Wildlife Works’ staff as and when required, from reporting, to sharing information and ideas, and assisting with other Wildlife Works projects when called upon

Job Requirements
Required Qualifications
•    A minimum of five years’ experience in a Senior Management position for an international conservation organisation (profit or non-profit), a large-scale conservation project, or similar

Required Skills and Competencies (obligatory)
•    Proven ability to lead a large team, manage complex and long-term projects including management of diverse staff
•    Good leadership skills, assertiveness, ability to take initiative and work within deadlines
•    Excellent interpersonal skills, able to communicate with interdisciplinary colleagues and external stakeholders and partners, across a multicultural professional environment
•    Proficiency in use of the English language is required, while spoken Swahili will be a great advantage, or the commitment to rapidly learn
•    Proven capacity to work in developing countries, particularly in Africa.

Other Skills and Competencies (added advantage)
The ideal candidate would also have:
•    Demonstrated familiarity with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) mechanism for Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing countries (REDD+)
•    A true passion for wildlife, forest and community-based conservation
•    The ability to operate successfully under sometimes difficult or demanding circumstances, plus a willingness to go the extra mile when called upon
•    Experience with standard security protocols and anti-poaching procedures
•    The willingness to participate in a hands-on manner in any project related activities when such is required
•    A high level of personal drive and ability to motivate others around them
•    Demonstrated negotiation skills, including the ability to diffuse challenging, delicate and potentially volatile situations
Undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a relevant field

Terms of Employment
•    Position: Successful applicant will be employed as the Project Lead, primarily at the KCRP in Kenya, but also supporting other REDD+ projects across Africa
•    Status: This is considered a full-time position according to the Wildlife Works’ scheme of service and after a three-month probation period
•    Station: Unless on mission to another site/project, the position will be based at Wildlife Works’ African HQs at the Rukinga Wildlife Sanctuary, Voi, and will report to the Regional Director
•    Remuneration: A competitive salary and benefits package will be offered, commensurate with the successful applicant’s experience, qualifications, and skill set.

How to apply
Applicants should send a Cover Letter and CV expressing their interest in the position, what they can bring to the job and the names and contacts, (including telephone and email) of two referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Human Resource Manager, Wildlife Works, on or before 15th September 2021.

•    Applications by email should be sent via “Apply Now Button”
•    Applicants will also require copies of key academic and professional certificates.

We thank all applicants for their interest in working for Wildlife Works. Due to the likely volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Wildlife Works does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training).

Wildlife Works is an equal opportunity employer, values diversity and inclusion and thereby welcomes diverse candidates to apply.