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; and
Incorporate sound science in decision-making
The Opportunity
Fauna & Flora (FFI) is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Conservation Policy Officer to support the delivery of its Kenya country programme. Working under the supervision of the Technical Specialist, Conservation Policy, the postholder will play a key role in advancing conservation outcomes through effective policy engagement, advocacy, and strategic partnerships at ecosystem, county, national and international levels.
The Conservation Policy Officer will provide technical and operational support to the design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of policy-related projects and initiatives. The role will involve close collaboration with internal programme teams, partners, government institutions and other stakeholders to support evidence-based policy development, promote uptake of best conservation practices, and strengthen the enabling environment for biodiversity conservation in Kenya.
Terms and Conditions
Start Date: As soon as possible
Duration of Contract: Permanent
Probation Period: Six months
Salary: USD 17,280 gross per annum
Location: FFI Office in Nairobi, Kenya
Benefits: 25 working days' annual leave entitlement plus national public holidays observed in Kenya
Hours of Work: This is a full-time position, working 40 hours Monday to Friday inclusive. These hours may vary depending on the requirements of the job
Line managed by: Technical Specialist, Conservation Policy
Key internal relationships: Country Manager, Kenya;
Programme Manager, Terrestrial, Kenya;
Programme Manager, Marine & Coastal, Kenya;
Grants & Operations Manager, Kenya;
Finance Manager, Kenya;
Key External
Relationships: The Conservation Policy Officer will, as required, represent Fauna & Flora with national and local government agencies, communities and community-based organizations; international and national partner NGOs and for- profit entities, academic institutions, private sector, financiers and donors, representing the values and interests of Fauna & Flora at all times.
Purpose
Under the immediate supervision of the Technical Specialist, Conservation Policy, Kenya, the Conservation Policy Officer, Kenya will provide technical and operational support for the design, implementation, reporting, monitoring and evaluation of the Fauna & Flora's Kenya country programme, projects and funds. The role will contribute to policy engagement, advocacy, and strategic partnerships that advance conservation outcomes.
Responsibilities:
Project support
Conduct desktop research and assessments to support policy and project development.
Provide logistical support for meetings and workshops, including the putting together and dissemination of information packs that include external audiences.
Attend meetings and take notes/minutes, ensuring appropriate dissemination and follow up on agreed actions.
As required, provide logistical support to field activities, including the handling of cash payments and other funds disbursements, in line with Fauna & Flora protocols, policies and procedures.
Ensure that field operations are conducted to a high standard of health, safety, welfare, environmental good practice and cultural sensitivity, in line with Fauna & Flora global policies and procedures and any national policies and procedures.
Implement data management in line with Fauna & Flora protocols, policies and procedures, helping to ensure that all relevant documentation is on Fauna & Flora's data management systems.
Technical support
Coordinate the local implementation and delivery of Fauna & Flora's commitments under policy funded projects.
Support Technical Specialist, Conservation Policy in researching, tracking, and documenting conservation-related policies, legislation, and institutional frameworks.
As required, coordinate input from Fauna & Flora staff and external stakeholders, and facilitate submission of comments on policies and legislation under development or review, to the relevant government authorities.
As required, using various communication channels and other strategies, assist in promoting uptake of best policy practices among government agencies, private sector, and the public to mitigate negative impacts on biodiversity.
As required, ensure up-to-date workplans and budgets are in place to meet project aims, objectives and timelines and ensure that activities are implemented in line with workplans and within budget, for project partners to meet their commitments.
As required, disseminate project results to decision-makers and advocate for their integration into county and national plans (e.g., County Integrated Development Plans, Climate Change Action Plans, Spatial Plans), national reports (e.g., Nationally Determined Contribution, National Adaptation Plans), and Multilateral Environmental Agreements.
As required, document and share lessons learned from policy processes at ecosystem, county, and national levels.
Develop awareness materials to promote Fauna & Flora's biodiversity and conservation work across media platforms.
Contribute to the development of project-level policy influencing and communication strategies.
Conduct ground-truthing and data collection to inform policy work.
Maintain an up-to-date database of key conservation and sectoral policies, policy processes and stakeholders.
Provide technical support and input as required on conservation issues and priorities including design, development and implementation of new policy projects.
Support project monitoring and evaluation ensuring activities, logical framework milestones and indicators are attained within set timeframes and budgets.
As required, support donor reporting, including collating supporting documents for project reporting.
Partnerships
Under the guidance of the Technical Specialist, Conservation Policy, Kenya:
Carry out assessments with partners to ensure Fauna & Flora understands the technical and administrative abilities of partner organizations to carry out project work, clearly identifying gaps that will need to be addressed for successful delivery of projects.
Liaise with relevant staff to identify partner capacity gaps or any other issues with partner capacity to deliver projects.
Ensure that Fauna & Flora Kenya continues to be well positioned, locally respected and valued by relevant.
Communications and Representation
Ensure regular and meaningful communication and coordination with Fauna & Flora programme staff in Kenya and the UK, and wider region as appropriate.
As required, support development of project specific internal and external communication materials.
As requested, attend external meetings to represent and actively promote Fauna & Flora and project specific activities.
Respond, as appropriate, to external enquiries relating to policy work.
As required, prepare and keep an updated a contact database to help convening meetings, dissemination of publications and communications etc.
As required, prepare high quality power point presentations and communications based on literature reviews and other project activities.
Other
Undertake other activities that fall within Fauna & Flora's strategy and plans as requested by your Line Manager, commensurate with your skills, experience and role.
Work as an active member of the Fauna & Flora Africa and Fauna & Flora Kenya team, and attend Fauna & Flora Kenya team meetings.
Duties may be altered, reasonably added or delegated from time to time to reflect changes within the organisation's activities and structure.
Person Specification
Essential
Desirable
Skills
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 synthesize 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 prioritization and time management skills.
* Ability to lead and manage both decisions and people, in line with other decision makers, in high stress environments
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.
Knowledge
Undergraduate degree in Wildlife Management, conservation biology, natural resources management or equivalent work experience in a relevant field
Master's degree in Wildlife Management, conservation biology, natural resources management or equivalent work experience in a relevant field
Experience
At least three years' experience in conservation policy influence
* Effective engagement in multiple policy processes running concurrently.
* Work with multiple partners
* Project development and fundraising, including managing donor relationships
Minimum three years' experience in conservation policy work
* Experience in evidence-based policy influencing
* Experience of successful work with diverse partners
* Evidence of experience engaging in policy formulation process tracking from beginning to end.
* Experience working in formulation of model legislation
Behavioral qualities
Self-motivated, independent and resourceful
* Commitment to Fauna & Flora mission, vision and values
* Commitment to organizational 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
Others
Entitlement to live and work in Kenya (without employee sponsorship)
* Available to travel domestically and/or internationally, and work occasional evening and weekend hours
FFI 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 FFI 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 supportive & respectful
We get things done