Position Title: Marine and Coastal Programme Manager, Kenya- Fauna & Flora International (FFI)

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 with and alongside 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 organizations
  • 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

FFI Marine Programme

FFI has been working in marine conservation for decades. However, it launched its formal marine programme in 2011 which focuses on the following three strands:

  • securing important areas to safeguard marine biodiversity
  • informing and influencing policies and practice affecting the marine environment
  • supporting key national local institutions to help them deliver effective marine conservation

Since 2011, we have worked across 23 countries with over 90 partners. We have contributed directly to the establishment or strengthening of over 50 marine protected areas and dozens of new no-take zones, witnessed a reduction in destructive fishing activities at 45% of all sites and seen evidence of recovery in key species groups and habitats. (Please see our website for an overview of current projects).

Kenya Marine Programme

Kenya’s northern coast supports extensive coral reefs and sea grass meadows, critical marine species habitat, important carbon sinks, and community wellbeing, yet is increasingly threatened by unsustainable practices including over exploitation, destructive fishing and by-catch. Current work supports protection of key marine habitats and vulnerable species in North Coast Kenya, through development of/driven by a Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) approach, and influencing policy approaches. It is anticipated current funding and work will seed the development of a much larger programme of work.

The Opportunity

FFI is seeking an experienced Marine and Coastal Programme Manager to oversee the delivery of our exciting and growing marine programme of work in Kenya. We are looking for an experienced technical programme manager with a proven track record in project design and the ability to work constructively with a broad range of stakeholders. You will be comfortable building strong and effective relationships with corporates, policy makers, scientists and NGOs, including NGOs and teams within FFI’s wider countries of operation.

You will work closely with other members of the Marine and Africa teams to ensure the Kenya Marine Programme is well aligned with, and embedded within regional operations and you will lead the development of a dynamic portfolio of marine conservation projects, in line with agreed programme priorities and in line with the wider organizational strategy.

You will be the lead spokesperson on our Kenya-marine work, able to provide technically defensible and organizationally aligned representation of the programme and approaches used. You will be able to communicate with confidence and credibility to a range of audiences, and have experience in building and maintaining positive organizational and external relationships. You will take responsibility of project delivery, and will be accountable for fundraising, and delivery and reporting for existing grants.

In return, the role offers the opportunity to work within a ground-breaking and entrepreneurial organization, at the forefront of global conservation.

Terms and Conditions

Start Date: As soon as possible

Duration of Contract: Two-years fixed-term contract

Probation Period: 6 months

Salary: USD 38,000 gross per annum

Location: Long-term this role will be based in Mombasa, Kenya. In the immediate-term, significant time will need to be spent at FFI’s office in Lamu, Kenya. Going forward, there will be extended trips to field sites and domestic travel to Nairobi 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 40 hours Monday to Friday inclusive. These hours may vary depending on the requirements of the job in the field.

Job Description

Job Title: Marine and Coastal Programme Manager, Kenya

Reporting to: Country Manager, Kenya

Line Manager of: North Kenya Seascape Project Manager (under recruitment)

Key Internal Relationships: Kenya Programme Team (Kenya), Africa Programme Team (UK and regionally), Cross-cutting Marine team (UK), Climate and Nature Linkages team (UK), Science and Design Team (UK), Social Equity, Agriculture and Enterprise Team (UK), Wildlife Trade Team (UK), Corporate Sustainability Team (UK), Fundraising Teams (UK)

External Relationships: The Marine and Coastal Programme Manager, Kenya will represent FFI with national and local government agencies, communities and community based organisations; international and national partner NGOs and for- profit entities, academic institutions, private sector, finances and donors, representing the values and interests of FFI at all times.

Purpose

Under the immediate supervision of the Country Manager, Kenya, the Marine and Coastal Programme Manager is responsible for enabling FFI to deliver marine and coastal conservation work in Kenya, as directed and agreed, both directly and through partner organisations, and ensuring all work follows the FFI workplans and regional strategies.

Specific Duties:

Technical

  • Provide technical advice and input as required on conservation issues and priorities, project design, development, implementation and monitoring on current and forthcoming projects
  • Ensure the robust design and delivery of project activities
  • Lead the implementation of specific/agreed project activities and deliverables
  • Gather, understand and use applicable Kenyan legislative and regulatory frameworks relevant to the project to secure and optimize conservation initiatives conducted with local communities.
  • Ensure that field operations are conducted to a high standard of health, safety, welfare, environmental good practice and cultural sensitivity, in line with FFI global policies and procedures and any national policies and procedures.
  • With project partners, ensure the development and implementation of robust monitoring systems for fisheries and marine habitats within focal project areas. Support the establishment of fisheries co-management areas – CMAs (and locally managed marine areas – LMMAs) liaising with the relevant institutions as required
  • With project partners, ensure the development and implementation of good governance practices for equitable and inclusive management within the community institutions are supported

Project Management and Development

  • In coordination with financial and administrative Africa programme staff based in Kenya and the UK, undertake specific fund management responsibilities where appropriate, including:
    • 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.
    • Ensure all landscape-level 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
    • Delivery of grant funded projects within time-frames and budgets
    • Manage project inputs from relevant technical and operational staff and consultants, and implementing partners, ensuring appropriate contracts are in place where relevant
    • Be responsible for fund finances and ensure all expenditure complies with donor and FFI regulations, and the DoA.
    • Prepare project financial reports, with support from the FBP-A, 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 data on implemented FFI systems such as a monitoring system, as well as “cloud” based online storage.
    • Ensure that field operations are conducted to a high standard of health, safety, welfare, environmental good practice and cultural sensitivity, in line with FFI global policies and procedures and any national policies and procedures.

Partner Development and Relations

  • As directed, act as the primary point of contact to partners implementing projects using funds provided by FFI
  • Carry out assessments with partners to ensure FFI 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
  • Work with relevant staff to identify partner capacity gaps or any other issues with partner capacity to deliver projects
  • Develop strategies for addressing partner capacity requirements including but not limited to:
  • Providing training directly from within FFI utilizing the skills and capacity within the FFI. Africa team and/or FFI cross-cutting teams
  • Writing requirements into proposals
  • Recommending further partnerships as appropriate
  • Provide technical advice and support to partners and collaborators, in line with and acting as a conduit for FFI’s institutional experience and expertise
  • As directed, lead on the development and implementation of partnership agreements, complying with FFI’s Delegation of Authorities as required.
  • Ensure alignment and good relations are upheld with partner NGOs operating in the landscape
  • Work with the Country Manager, Kenya to ensure that FFI Kenya continues to be well positioned, locally respected and valued by relevant authorities and development and civil society actors

People Management

  • Provide strong and motivational management to line reports to support efficient, effective delivery of FFI’s conservation programme in Kenya through objective setting, continuous performance management, annual appraisal, training provision and personal development planning.
  • Support project team members to ensure work plans are in place to meet project aims, objectives and timelines and ensure that projects are implemented in line with work plans and within budget.

Communications and Representation

  • Ensure regular and meaningful communication and coordination with FFI programme staff in Kenya, the UK, and the wider region as appropriate
  • Represent FFI at project-relevant key fora, meetings and workshops as required

Other

  • Work as an active member of the Kenya team and attend Kenya team meetings
  • Contribute to the annual budgeting process as required
  • As directed, coordinate risk assessments within the Kenya or wider Eastern Africa programme, maintaining records and communications as per FFI policies and procedures
  • Provide input, where appropriate, on other technical work undertaken by the Africa programme
  • With the agreement of your line manager, perform any other tasks that may be requested from time to time that are appropriate to skills and experience

Person Specification

Skills

Essential

  • Strong technical skills relating to marine ecology and conservation
  • Fluent written and spoken English skills
  • Excellent project management skills with proven experience in project design, development, implementation, risk management and evaluation
  • Excellent financial management, including budgeting, reforecasting and procurement skills
  • Excellent people management skills, with ability to motivate and performance manage individuals to achieve excellence
  • Strong written communication skills, including report and proposal writing
  • Facilitation and training skills
  • Excellent analytical skills
  • Excellent information organization and presentation skills
  • Strong prioritization and time management skills, with ability to work to multiple deadlines

Desirable

  • Marine biodiversity field identification skills
  • GIS and map producing skills
  • Fluency in Kiswahili

Knowledge and experience

Essential

  • Proven track record and ability to develop and manage marine/coastal conservation projects and teams
  • Undergraduate degree in Marine conservation/biology/ecology, wildlife management, conservation biology, natural resources management
  • Proven ability to successfully negotiating with diverse audiences
  • At least five years’ experience in marine conservation programme management
  • Proven leadership experience working with multiple partners with conflicting interests
  • Management of contracts/grants
  • Experience in dealing with rural/coastal communities on management of local natural resources
  • Project development and fundraising, including managing donor relationships

Desirable

  • Masters degree in Marine conservation/biology/ecology, Wildlife Management, conservation biology or natural resources management
  • Formulation and implementation of marine conservation strategies
  • Experience of managing large (100,000 USD plus) multi-year grants from statutory sources

Behavioural qualities

Essential

  • Commitment to FFI’s values and mission
  • Self-motivated, independent and resourceful
  • 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 multi-cultural 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

Desirable

  • Experience living and/or working on the Kenya coast

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 organization, 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

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 to kenyajobs@fauna-flora.org

Please mark your application ‘Marine and Coastal Programme Manager, Kenya’

The closing date for applications is 4th September 2022. Interviews are likely to be held during the week commencing 12th September 2022. 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 us on Tel: +254 (0) 715 795359.

FFI values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity

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