Technical Specialist, Conservation Policy, Kenya – Jobs in Kenya

Fauna & Flora International (FFI) saves species from extinction and habitats from destruction, while improving the livelihoods of local people. Our guiding principles are to work through local partnerships, act as a catalyst for change, make conservation relevant, and base decisions on sound science. Founded in 1903, FFI is the world’s longest established international conservation body; our conservation work, and impact, spans the globe.

Africa Programme
Working closely with local partners, FFI’s Africa Programme currently supports operations in 13 countries in West, Central, East and Southern Africa, and is implementing a range of projects focused on both terrestrial and marine species and habitat conservation, biodiversity planning, protected area management, institutional development and capacity building, sustainable use and community-focused wildlife management initiatives.

To achieve its mission in Africa, FFI uses different approaches to work with and alongside local partners to focus on the sustainable use and management of natural resources as a means to effective conservation in the long-term. In all its projects in Africa, FFI seeks to:
•    Build   and   support   local   partnerships   with   African   conservation   and   community development organisations
•    Strengthen institutions to bring sustainability and added value to projects
•    Maintain long term presence and relationships
•    Reconcile conservation goals with the needs of local people
•    Incorporate sound science in decision-making

Kenya Programme
FFI has been championing wildlife conservation in Kenya in some shape or form since our foundation in 1903. Exactly a century later, we opened an office in Nairobi and established a formal country programme, since when we have been supporting local partners to protect key habitats and species. In particular, we have played a crucial role in establishing a number of wildlife conservancies in northern Kenya that protect wildlife while also supporting sustainable local livelihoods. Beyond our terrestrial conservation programme, we are also supporting the efforts of coastal communities in the south of Kenya to secure greater involvement in the management and husbandry of their marine resources.

The Opportunity
FFI is seeking an experienced Technical Specialist, Conservation Policy, Kenya to enable our work to proactively respond to and shape the conservation and environmental policy agenda in Kenya, ensuring maximum impact for biodiversity and the environment and aligning with FFI’s global policy response to the nature-climate-health triple challenge.  You will play an important role in connecting FFI’s Kenya work to the national policy framework for conservation, and in enabling the Country Manager, Kenya to respond.  You will feed into FFI’s global policy work led by the Director, Global Policy with support from our cross-cutting and communications teams, and enable FFI policy priorities to be reflected in the work of the Kenya programme. You will have a proven track record in conservation policy engagement within Kenya and how this aligns with wider African and global policies. You will have excellent understanding of the socio-policy and conservation environment in Kenya, experience with non-profit conservation organisations and a track record of conservation influence and a commitment to organisational and legal compliance. You will demonstrate capacity in strategic and analytical thinking; excellent written and verbal communication skills, the ability to work and deliver within a diverse and multidisciplinary team, proposal writing, project management and donor reporting.

Terms and Conditions

Start Date: As soon as possible
Duration of Contract: 2 years
Probation Period: 6 months
Salary: $33,000
Location: Nairobi, Kenya. With travel to domestic project sites as required. International travel to FFI’s head office in Cambridge, UK may be required.
Benefits: 25 working days’ annual leave entitlement plus national public holidays observed in Kenya
Hours of Work: This is a full-time position, working Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 5.00pm with a one-hour lunch break. These hours may vary depending on the requirements of the job in the field.

Job Description

Job Title: Technical Specialist, Conservation Policy, Kenya
Reporting to: Country Manager, Kenya
Line Manager of: Currently no direct line management

Key Relationships: 
Kenya Programme Staff
Senior Programme Manager, Eastern Africa
Africa Programme Staff
Director, Global Policy
FFI Cross-Cutting teams
FFI Communications team

Purpose:   
The Technical Specialist, Conservation Policy, Kenya will be responsible for identifying and tracking current and emerging policy processes relating to conservation in Kenya, and integrating aspects of conservation policy into priority Kenya projects, as directed by the Country Manager, Kenya. Ensuring all approaches support delivery of the FFI Strategy and Business Plan, and enabling both FFI’s and FFI partner’s responses to implement high quality and collaboratively developed projects and their associated funding proposals.

Specific Duties:

Technical
•    Track policy and policy processes at national and county levels and, in consultation with the Country Manager, Kenya and wider FFI team as appropriate, lead on the integration of policy aspects into FFI’s work, using clear and collaborative planning processes, including country and project level Theories of Change
•    Develop and maintain positive relationships for FFI with policy makers and influencers, project partners and key stakeholders within Kenya, and work with the Country Manager, Kenya, to ensure that FFI continues to be well positioned, respected and valued by relevant authorities, and development and civil society actors, and that FFI site-based learning is fed into national and county policy processes
•    Feed into FFI’s global policy work led by the Director, Global Policy with support from cross-cutting and communications teams, and enable FFI policy priorities to be reflected in the work of the Kenya programme
•    Develop and implement plans to influence and promote best practice, as relating to policy, with both the public and private sector to mitigate negative impacts of developments affecting FFI’s work
•    Provide technical advice to the delivery of project partners’ activities relating to policy, in line with FFI’s institutional experience and expertise
•    Lead on the coordination of stakeholder engagement in FFI led policy related topics, functions and meetings
•    Develop and maintain an up to date database on key conservation and other relevant sector policies
•    Keep the Country Manager, Kenya and Programme Managers (Terrestrial and Marine) updated on key policy changes and/or decisions relevant to FFI’s work in Kenya
•    Advise FFI decision makers on conservation issues and strategic priorities for conservation policy for FFI in Kenya
•    Carry out policy research to inform and support project and fund design and implementation
•    As required, carry out ground truthing, collection of data and analysis of this information to inform policy engagement
•    Provide technical input to and maintain oversight of in-country training, mentoring and guidance for FFI Kenya staff and partners engaged in policy aspects of projects, including Monitoring Evaluation and Learning
•    Document and disseminate results and lessons learned from policy and advocacy processes to decision makers at county, national, Eastern Africa and wider audiences where appropriate.
•    Provide capacity building and mentorship to project partners on policy matters that strengthens established networks and creates opportunities for new collaborations with relevant national and international organisations.
•    Provide input into FFI position papers, though pieces and blogs, including those related to multi-lateral environmental agreements, as requested

Project Management and Development
•    Manage the local implementation and delivery of FFI’s commitments within specific projects as directed by the Country Manager, Kenya.
•    Ensure full compliance with FFI protocols, policies and procedures, ensuring work is done to high quality and within fund budgets.
•    Undertake specific fund management responsibilities where appropriate, including:
o    Lead FFI and donor technical report writing and editing, coordinating the inputs of team members, cross-cutting teams, specialists and partners, ensuring accurate and timely technical reports as per FFI and donor requirements.
o    Ensure all funding proposals and resulting contracts and grant agreements are appropriate to, and comply with, FFI operating standards, the FFI Delegation of Authority (DoA), and implementation context within the region
o    Delivery of grant funded projects within time-frames and budgets
o    Manage project inputs from relevant technical and operational staff and consultants, and implementing partners, ensuring appropriate contracts are in place where relevant.
o    Ensure that project monitoring and evaluation is in place and fit for purpose, working with FFI team (in Kenya and in Cambridge) to review results and adapt project implementation as required.
o    Be responsible for fund finances and ensure all expenditure complies with donor and FFI regulations, FFI’s DoA, and Kenyan laws.
o    Management of cash flow for relevant activities and accountability of funds, including required finance planning and reporting.
o    Prepare project financial reports, with support from the Finance Business Partner, Africa and ensure timely, high quality and accurate technical, operational and financial funder and institutional reporting.
•    Ensure the regular back-up and appropriate storage of all project data and financial records, in line with in-country and donor auditing requirements, internal and donor reporting requirements, and ensuring there is sufficient detail for overall institutional auditing of FFI.
•    Under the guidance of the Country Manager, Kenya, provide active input and support, and when appropriate lead, new project development

Communications and Representation
•    Ensure regular and meaningful communication and coordination with FFI programme staff in the UK, and with the FFI Kenya team as appropriate.
•    Develop communications materials in appropriate formats as requested and actively share project results and learning through internal and external fora.
•    Represent FFI and FFI’s Kenya programme, and proactively engage with, relevant stakeholders and at project-relevant key fora, external meetings and workshops as necessary.
•    Liaise with the FFI Communications and Fundraising Departments and contribute to communications and fundraising materials as required.

Other
•    As appropriate, provide strong and motivational management to line reports to support efficient, effective delivery of work through objective setting, continuous performance management, annual appraisal, training provision and personal development planning
•    Continual professional development in relation to conservation policy
•    Carry out other tasks that may be requested of you, in line with your skills and experience
•    Support development of the FFI Kenya programme in line with approved strategic plans, including raising additional financial and non-financial support
•    Work as an active member of the FFI Africa team and attend Africa team meetings
•    Provide input, where appropriate, to technical work undertaken by the wider Eastern Africa and Africa programme.

Person Specification

Skills

Essential
•    Technical conservation and project management skills related to policy research, review and formulation
•    Excellent written and spoken English
•    Excellent analytical skills and the ability to negotiate with diverse audiences.
•    Strong ability to offer sound judgment, and the ability to quickly assimilate and synthesise complex information.
•    Excellent information organization and presentation skills
•    Excellent verbal communication, networking and interpersonal skills, with ability and confidence to interact, negotiate and persuade at high levels.
•    Strong prioritisation and time management skills.
•    Ability to lead and manage both decisions and people, in line with other decision makers, in high stress environments

Desirable
•    Proven knowledge and understanding of how the Kenyan government works
•    Proven skills on sub-regional, regional and international conservation policy influencing
•    Proven skills in formulation and implementation of policy influencing tools
•    Strong ability to build the capacity and mentor partners in policy influencing.

Qualifications

Essential
•    Undergraduate degree in Wildlife Management, conservation biology, natural resources management or equivalent work experience in a relevant field

Desirable
•    Master’s degree in Wildlife Management, conservation biology, natural resources management or equivalent work experience in a relevant field

Experience

Essential   
•    At least five years’ experience in conservation policy influence with a minimum of three years at management level.
•    Professional experience in conservation policy programme development.
•    Effective engagement in multiple policy processes running concurrently.
•    Management of contracts/grants
•    Work with multiple partners with conflicting interests
•    Project development and fundraising, including managing donor relationships

Desirable
•    Minimum five years’ experience in conservation policy work at management level
•    Experience in evidence-based policy influencing
•    Formulation and implementation of advocacy and casework strategies
•    Experience of successful work with diverse partners in illegal wildlife trade
•    Evidence of experience engaging in policy formulation process tracking from beginning to end.
•    Experience working in formulation of model legislation
•    Experience of managing large (100,000 USD plus) multi-year grants from statutory sources

Behavioural qualities

Essential
•    Self-motivated, independent and resourceful
•    Commitment to FFI’s mission, vision and values
•    Commitment to organisational and legal compliance, and responsible management of donor funds
•    Team player, with ability to seek out views of others and build positive working relationships
•    Ability to work under pressure and to deal with challenges in a calm, positive, pro-active and constructive way
•    Ability to work within a multicultural environment

Other

Essential   
•    Entitlement to live and work in Kenya (without employee sponsorship)
•    Available to travel domestically and/or internationally, and work occasional evening and weekend hours

How to Apply
Applications, consisting of a covering letter explaining why you feel you should be considered for this post, a full CV (tailored to the role as advertised, highlighting relevant experience and achievements) and contact details for two referees (who will not be contacted without your permission) should be sent via “Apply Now Button”.

Please mark your application Technical Specialist, Conservation Policy, Kenya.

The closing date for applications is 11th September 2021. Interviews are likely to be held during the week commencing 27th September 2021. Candidates selected for interview will be contacted by email or telephone – please specify your preferred method of contact in your covering letter and indicate where you saw the position advertised.

Regrettably, due to limited resources and the high number of applications we receive, we are only able to contact short-listed candidates. If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion.

Applicants with Disabilities
FFI encourages applications from individuals with a disability who are able to carry out the duties of the post. If you have special needs in relation to your application, please contact Patrick Lelei, Finance and Administration Manager, Kenya, FFI, on Tel: +254 (0) 715 795 359 or Email: patrick.lelei@fauna-flora.org.

FFI values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity