Kenya Country Director (Full-Time / Permanent)

We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction. Through the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists and our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos, we guide and enable others in the UK and all across the world. Inspiring, informing, empowering – working for wildlife.

ZSL are seeking an individual with extensive leadership experience to drive forward the Kenya Country Programme. The successful candidate will be ZSL’s senior representative in Kenya and will be responsible for the management and strategic direction of the Programme. The post holder will line manage six employees and report directly to ZSL’s Senior Programme Manager for Africa in London and oversee all ZSL’s operations in Kenya in line with the ZSL 200 strategy (click here for more information).

The successful candidate will play an instrumental role in expanding ZSL presence in Kenya, building on achievements to date, whilst maintaining existing partnerships, exploring and developing new relationships and securing funding to support the programme.

• Lead the development, management, and implementation of the ZSL Kenya Country Strategy.
• Responsible for making key strategic and operational decisions in consultation with the Senior Programme Manager for Africa and the Director of Conservation.
• Recruitment and management of staff, including performance monitoring, mentoring, and training.
• Ensuring that the country budget is appropriately managed, spent, documented, and reported on, both internally and externally.
• Responsible for the generation of accurate and timely financial and programmatic reports to ZSL HQ, donors, stakeholders and government.
• Track, manage and report on the performance and impact of the Programme, including monitoring and evaluation of financial and technical deliverables.
• Maintain and nurture existing, and develop new, relationships and partnerships with relevant actors in the country, including government authorities, donor agencies, national and international NGOs, private sector and research institutions.
• Identify fundraising opportunities and secure funds for the programme, including the preparation of fundraising proposals and project budgets.
• Ensure full compliance with all ZSL UK and Kenya policies, Kenyan legal and registration requirements, and conditions of grants.

This is a senior management level position which requires proven leadership experience and experience of managing multiple conservation projects, teams of people and associated resources in developing countries. The successful applicant will have a track record of strategic programme development, securing and managing funds from a range of funding sources and experience of developing and managing relationships with partners and donors. Candidates should also have:

• An excellent standard of written and spoken English. A basic knowledge of Kiswahili is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in developing, implementing and evaluating strategic plans.
• People management, coaching and capacity building/development skills.
• Strong skills in conservation project planning, budgeting, management, implementation, and evaluation.
• A good knowledge and understanding of current international and Africa specific biodiversity conservation issues and, ideally protected area management.
• Excellent understanding and experience in developing donor strategies and partnerships, building governmental and international relations, and fundraising.

Please note: The post will be based in Nairobi with significant national travel to field sites in Kenya and to attend meetings and workshops. The work will include extended periods in field conditions. Travel requirements fluctuate through the year, but can take up to 50% of this role. The position is to start as soon as possible.

For a full Job Description please click here.

Applicants will need to upload their CV and covering letter (detailing relevant experience and skills, stating why they want the position and including details of availability) and can do this by clicking the "Apply for this job online" button. If you have any queries regarding this position or when applying through the system please contact Human Resources at hr@zsl.org.

Closing date for applications: Midnight (23:59 BST) Friday 11th October 2019.

The Zoological Society of London is a charity registered in England and Wales: no. 208728.