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Senior Programme Manager, Eastern & Southern Africa at Fauna & Flora International

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Job Description

Fauna & Flora

At Fauna & Flora, our shared purpose is to protect the diversity of life on Earth, for the survival of the planet and its people. We work closely with local conservation partners around the world to save

Nature together. We harness this collective expertise to inspire positive change globally.

Africa Team

The Africa Programme protects threatened species and ecosystems across 14 countries by working with and through local people, institutions, and partner organisations. We currently have staff based in seven of these countries.

We focus on large landscapes that contain globally important species and ecosystems, enabling and supporting a multi-stakeholder approach that promotes local ownership and decision-making. We strive to bring sustainable outcomes for both biodiversity and local people, and we play a critical role in influencing the step changes required to address global threats such as climate change or the spread of zoonotic diseases. Within the Africa region, our sites can be anything from a nationally protected area such as a National Park, to a Community Forest or Community Conservancy and our longstanding presence and reputation means we are often requested to support these sites in places that can include active conflict zones or areas that have recently come out of conflict.

Regardless of the challenge, we work with those who live and work closest to these globally important sites and species, usually the people who rely most heavily upon them to survive, and we commit to engaging at our project sites for the long term, to bring about positive change.

The Opportunity

Fauna & Flora is seeking a highly experienced and motivated conservation professional to fulfil the role of Senior Programme Manager, Eastern & Southern Africa, providing and facilitating the enabling conditions for staff, projects and partners in the region to excel. The role has a capacity building focus and that also acts as a backstop and assumes overall responsibility for Fauna & Flora’s work in the region.

The successful candidate will have operational and managerial experience in conservation project and programme management, including people management, risk management and mitigation, proposal writing, technical and financial management and reporting of large funds and grants, preferably with statutory or multilateral/bilateral donors and preferably in Africa, as well as a commitment to organisational and national legal compliance.

Excellent people management skills are essential to the role to ensure a professional and motivated team that delivers effectively against project aims, objectives and timelines. The role requires a skilled and credible communicator, who is confident in developing the capacity of in-country teams and partners, both directly and by facilitating the engagement and skills of UK based cross-cutting teams, and ensuring the focus remains on in-country leadership and delivery of results.

The successful applicant will also have substantial experience in the field of conservation, a commitment to rights-based conservation and upholding the highest standards on social safeguard and safeguarding matters. They will enjoy working in a dynamic environment where the ability to respond swiftly and thoroughly to challenges and opportunities is paramount. Spoken and written fluency in English is essential.

Terms and Conditions

Start Date: As soon as possible

Duration of Contract: Permanent

Probation Period: 6 months

Gross Annual Salary: Kenya USD 79,975

UK GBP 62,215

Location: Fauna & Flora Office, Nairobi, Kenya (for candidates with right to work in Kenya) or Fauna & Flora Office, Cambridge, UK

Benefits: 25 working days’ annual leave entitlement plus national public holidays observed in Kenya / UK and any normal working days that fall between 24 December to 1 January inclusive, during which time Fauna & Flora Kenya and UK offices are closed

For employees on Kenya-based contracts: Medical Insurance

For employees on UK-based contracts, FFI currently provides a pension contribution of 8% of salary after 3 months’ continuous employment. Group Life insurance, currently set at a benefit of 4 x basic salary.

Hours of Work: This is a full full-time position.

For employees on Kenya-based contracts working 40 hours Monday to Friday inclusive. These hours may vary depending on the requirements of the job.

For employees on UK-based contracts working 37.5 hours Monday to Friday inclusive. These hours may vary depending on the requirements of the job.

N.B. This is an unaccompanied position.

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Programme Manager, Eastern & Southern Africa

Reports to: Regional Director, Africa

Line Management: Country Manager, Kenya

Country Manager, South Sudan

Country Manager, Mozambique

Landscape Manager, Uganda

Matrix Management: E&SA Programme Manager, Grant & Operations

Key working relationships: Senior Programme Manager (Operations), Africa

Senior Development Manager, Africa

Governance, Equity & Rights, Africa team

MEL, Africa team

Finance Business Partner, E&SA

E&SA in-region teams

Cross cutting teams

Purpose: To ensure the Fauna & Flora programmes of work in the Eastern & Southern Africa (E&SA) region are effectively delivered, focusing on enabling leadership and implementation by in-country teams and partners through proactive oversight, capacity building, facilitating engagement of Fauna & Flora’s cross-cutting expertise, empowering line management, excellent risk management and mitigation, and ensuring an outstanding quality of grant management and proposal development. The level of management, support and direct input will vary across each country programme in line with resources and current capacities, responsibilities and accountabilities in place.

Job Industry

Business Development, Sales, Marketing and Retail

Job Salary Currency

Job Salary Fixed

Key Deliverables

Programme Accountability, Leadership and Management

Ensure the capacity is in place to enable in-country teams to deliver Fauna & Flora’s work, including providing direct capacity support, facilitating the input of Fauna & Flora -cross-cutting and other technical specialists, or where appropriate and agreed, seeking external resources
Provide directly, and ensure E&SA line managers provide excellent and motivational line management through objective setting, continuous performance management, annual appraisal, training provision and personal development planning to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of the programme
Ensure the effective administrative and financial management of Fauna & Flora’s operations in the E&SA programmes, including:
-All country programmes are legally registered as national entities allowing the implementation of Fauna & Flora operations
-Remain up-to-date with statutory and regulatory frameworks relevant to operations in all country programmes and ensure Fauna & Flora operations comply with national laws, statutory regulations and have the requisite insurances necessary for the implementation of Fauna & Flora operations, including HR policies, labour and tax laws
-All in-country systems, policies and procedures comply, to the extent possible, with Fauna & Flora institutional systems, policies and procedures and Delegation of Authorities
-All contracts and grant agreements are appropriate to, and comply with, Fauna & Flora operating standards, the Fauna & Flora Delegation of Authority, and implementation conditions within the E&SA region
-Accurate financial management of the E&SA programme and its projects
-Maintenance of financial records to meet in-country, donor and any other auditing requirements
Deliver the annual budgeting and any reforecasting processes for E&SA Country Programmes, with effective delegation where appropriate, ensuring use of accurate and up to date information including pipeline, and ensuring all necessary programmatic costs are included
Proactively and regularly communicate to the RD on programmatic costs and budgets flagging future funding needs, priorities and any issues in a timely manner, including co-finance requirements
Oversee the effective recruitment of international and in-country staff and consultants required for the effective running of the E&SA programme in line with Fauna and Flora Recruitment Policy & Procedure and best practice,
Directly and through management of the E&SA team, contribute to and implement effective risk management and mitigation processes and solutions for Country Programme level operations, financial and health & safety, led by the Senior Programme Manager (Operations), Africa
Ensure E&SA team compliance with risk management and mitigation solutions, including inputting effectively into appropriate capacity development of individuals within the E&SA team
Security and Safeguards Accountability
Manage, minimise and mitigate security and safeguarding risks in the E&SA Programme:
Act as the main point of contact between Fauna & Flora HQ and in-country teams on active security situations, ensuring an effective flow of communication between appropriate stakeholders
Lead Fauna & Flora response in active security situations by bringing together appropriate internal roles in order to agree and implement immediate actions, and where appropriate feeding clear information, recommendations and scenario implications up the decision-making chain
Ensure that Fauna & Flora safeguarding and social safeguard policies and procedures are actively implemented in the E&SA region and that all staff have received appropriate training and are aware of their responsibilities
Where appropriate and in collaboration with safeguarding and social safeguard subject matter experts, oversee safeguarding and/or social safeguard cases in the E&SA region, ensuring clear communication to all relevant institutional levels and departments, enabling Fauna & Flora to respond quickly and appropriately both internally and externally.
Remain informed of security issues within the E&SA region and communicate issues of concern swiftly to the RD, Africa and IHSS Manager, advising of potential impact on staff, operations, projects, finances and funders
Actively feed situational learning to the Senior Programme Manager (Operations), Africa, to enable the continuous development and implementation of strategies to manage and mitigate impacts caused by security issues, and enable the required staff training
Conservation Impact
In line with Fauna & Flora’s global strategy, and in consultation with regional and cross-cutting colleagues:
Ensure each E&SA project has an approved Theory of Change that articulates how that project aligns with and delivers the Fauna & Flora global strategy
Ensure each E&SA project goes through a full design process, including operational assessment and planning, also considering partner requirements
Ensure that resulting project level work plans are in place that derive from and remain aligned with the project Theory of Change, with consideration of multi-team and partner resourcing
Ensure that all new project ideas, concepts and proposals facilitate input from relevant regional, operational and cross-cutting team members, external partners / stakeholders as appropriate, and follow Fauna & Flora’s project cycle process and Delegation of Authorities
Facilitate the effective flow of best practice and learning between project managers and cross-cutting technical experts, including participation in Fauna & Flora’s global communities of practice and inputs into cross-cutting projects where appropriate
Facilitate and backstop the preparation of funding concepts and proposals, ensuring that:
-They are designed to deliver the approved Theory of Change and address priority needs
-Impact monitoring activities, analysis and dissemination of learnings are included along with start-up planning from both a technical and operational perspective
-They support and strengthen Fauna & Flora’s position with credibility and clarity on critical approaches to conservation such as locally-led approaches, safeguarding and social safeguards etc.
-They ensure staff, other resources, and overhead charging and cost recovery are adequately built in
-They ensure compliance with Fauna & Flora operating standards and implementation conditions within country
-They consider partner needs and any additional donor requirements
Ensure that funds are implemented in line with work plans and within budget, and where appropriate, include start-up phases that ensure clarity across implementing, technical and operational colleagues and partners.
Ensure the high-quality delivery of financial and narrative reports to donors within agreed internal and external deadlines
Advise the RD on conservation issues and strategic priorities and opportunities for Fauna & Flora in the E&SA region
Partnership Management
Delegating and backstopping to in-country roles wherever possible, develop and manage key relationships and partnerships within E&SA, in order to maintain and enhance the local programme of work and to maximise the effective delivery of Fauna & Flora’s work in the E&SA region
Lead on the development of and enable in-country teams to negotiate programme/project Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) with partners, in consultation with the RD, Africa and in accordance with Fauna & Flora documentation and Fauna & Flora’s Delegation of Authorities
Communications and Representation
Ensure Fauna & Flora’s work in the E&SA region feeds into Fauna & Flora’s wider conservation efforts through communication and collaboration with colleagues in cross-cutting teams as well as with other regional programmes, enabling conservation practice and learning to be used organisationally
As appropriate represent Fauna & Flora and the E&SA programme, developing its profile and promoting its work to third parties, including national government agencies, diplomatic and development agencies, communities, NGOs, corporate for-profit entities, academic institutions, funders and donors, media and all other relevant bodies
Facilitate the development of communications and fundraising materials (e.g., web pages, profiles, articles) with Fauna & Flora Cambridge staff to support the development of Fauna & Flora’s E&SA programmes
General
Provide input, where appropriate, on other technical work undertaken by the Africa programme
Perform any other tasks that may be requested from time to time that are appropriate to skills and experience, including broader representation of Fauna & Flora and its Programmes

Essential Qualities

Essential Qualities
Essential A relevant, higher degree or equivalent level qualification or equivalent experience in a conservation related subject Experience managing teams in person and remotely to deliver complex projects including developing individuals in their leadership roles Experience in institutional development and related capacity building Experience in overseeing, with accountability for, a concurrent number of conservation projects, including financial and risk management, preferably in Africa Experience managing a project cycle process from the design stage through fundraising to implementation, MEL and reporting Experience in project management including large grant budget management and donor reporting, preferable statutory funds from a multilateral/bilateral donor Experience of working in Africa, preferably the Eastern and southern region Track record of engaging and working effectively with a range of stakeholders Desirable Experience of working alongside, or a good understanding of working with businesses such as extractive industries, preferably in Africa Experience of developing and implementing sustainable finance mechanisms appropriate to conservation practice including Ministries and Wildlife Authorities, other government institutions, donor agencies, the private sector, NGOs, and local communities, preferably in Africa Experience of operating in conflict and post-conflict countries Experience in Protected Area management Experience of managing partnership projects, including those involving local community interests or collaborative PA management Experience working in remote locations with limited resources and amenities Experience leading social safeguard and safeguarding responses. Skills High standard of written and spoken English Outstanding communicator and collaborator with ability to ensure effective communication flows within and between different teams and individuals, including ability to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders, and diplomacy to present, negotiate and persuade at all levels of government and civil society Excellent ability to forward plan and act quickly in the moment to mitigate further issues down the line Excellent proposal and log frame writing skills, with proven fundraising record Effective leader with proven ability to manage national and international staff and partners, with performance management skills and the ability to develop and sustain positive working relationships Proven ability to assess capacity, mentor and develop skills of project staff and partners Ability to solve problems and effectively prioritise, organise and manage a wide range of tasks, duties and resources concurrently, working to multiple deadlines Advanced skills in Microsoft Office including Outlook and Excel and financial systems. Written and spoken Portuguese Behavioural qualities Demonstrates Fauna & Flora’s Values Willingness to back-stop in-country teams, supporting them to lead and develop Self-motivated, independent and resourceful A structured and methodical approach to work Ability to deal with matters in a sensitive manner Good judgement in managing resources and people Approachable and proactive manner Solution focused and results-driven Ability to work under pressure High levels of compliance and respect for organisational and donor policies and procedures. Other A commitment to Fauna & Flora’s mission and vision in conservation and a genuine interest in protected area management and the sustainable use of resources An understanding of key issues impacting conservation in the Eastern and Southern Africa region Entitlement to work in Kenya if that is the chosen location Ability to undertake international travel Fauna & Flora Values Values underpin who we are and how we act. Just as values shape who we are as individuals, they define us as an organisation, creating the culture of success for which Fauna & Flora is renowned. Our people exemplify our shared values, which are interconnected and interdependent: We act with integrity We are collaborative We are committed We are inclusive, supportive & respectful We get things done

Essential
A relevant, higher degree or equivalent level qualification or equivalent experience in a conservation related subject
Experience managing teams in person and remotely to deliver complex projects including developing individuals in their leadership roles
Experience in institutional development and related capacity building
Experience in overseeing, with accountability for, a concurrent number of conservation projects, including financial and risk management, preferably in Africa
Experience managing a project cycle process from the design stage through fundraising to implementation, MEL and reporting
Experience in project management including large grant budget management and donor reporting, preferable statutory funds from a multilateral/bilateral donor
Experience of working in Africa, preferably the Eastern and southern region
Track record of engaging and working effectively with a range of stakeholders

Desirable

Experience of working alongside, or a good understanding of working with businesses such as extractive industries, preferably in Africa
Experience of developing and implementing sustainable finance mechanisms appropriate to conservation practice including Ministries and Wildlife Authorities,
other government institutions, donor agencies, the private sector, NGOs, and local communities, preferably in Africa
Experience of operating in conflict and post-conflict countries
Experience in Protected Area management
Experience of managing partnership projects, including those involving local community interests or collaborative PA management
Experience working in remote locations with limited resources and amenities
Experience leading social safeguard and safeguarding responses.
Skills
High standard of written and spoken English
Outstanding communicator and collaborator with ability to ensure effective communication flows within and between different teams and individuals, including ability to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders, and diplomacy to present, negotiate and persuade at all levels of government and civil society
Excellent ability to forward plan and act quickly in the moment to mitigate further issues down the line
Excellent proposal and log frame writing skills, with proven fundraising record
Effective leader with proven ability to manage national and international staff and partners, with performance management skills and the ability to develop and sustain positive working relationships
Proven ability to assess capacity, mentor and develop skills of project staff and partners
Ability to solve problems and effectively prioritise, organise and manage a wide range of tasks, duties and resources concurrently, working to multiple deadlines
Advanced skills in Microsoft Office including Outlook and Excel and financial systems.
Written and spoken Portuguese

Behavioural qualities

Demonstrates Fauna & Flora’s Values
Willingness to back-stop in-country teams, supporting them to lead and develop
Self-motivated, independent and resourceful
A structured and methodical approach to work
Ability to deal with matters in a sensitive manner
Good judgement in managing resources and people
Approachable and proactive manner
Solution focused and results-driven
Ability to work under pressure
High levels of compliance and respect for organisational and donor policies and procedures.
Other
A commitment to Fauna & Flora’s mission and vision in conservation and a genuine interest in protected area management and the sustainable use of resources
An understanding of key issues impacting conservation in the Eastern and Southern Africa region
Entitlement to work in Kenya if that is the chosen location
Ability to undertake international travel
Fauna & Flora Values
Values underpin who we are and how we act. Just as values shape who we are as individuals, they define us as an organisation, creating the culture of success for which Fauna & Flora is renowned. Our people exemplify our shared values, which are interconnected and interdependent:
We act with integrity
We are collaborative
We are committed
We are inclusive, supportive & respectful
We get things done

Application Process

Applications should consist of the following:

Covering letter:
Clearly identify your preferred location and if you have the right to work there
Explain why you are applying, relating your experience and skills to the role
Full CV
Contact details for two referees (who will not be approached without your permission)
Applications should be submitted electronically to africajobs@fauna-flora.org
Please mark your application ‘Senior Programme Manager, E&SA’ and indicate in your covering letter where you saw the position advertised.

Close Date

18/05/2025