The Country Representative, Kenya / Regional Head, Land Systems will develop, resource, and manage IUCN ESARO’s Lands Systems programme activities in the country and region in close collaboration with other relevant IUCN programmes, Members, Commissions and partners S/He will take a lead in maintaining successful relationships with the Governments and the IUCN membership in Kenya and respective countries with his oversights.
Responsibilities:
Lead the strategic development of the Land Systems Thematic Programme, including periodically conducting situation and scoping analysis to develop/refine the Thematic Area’s strategic framework, ensuring that priorities identified are relevant to IUCN’s members and partners and aligned with IUCN’s value proposition.
Act as a focal point for facilitating and supporting the involvement of IUCN Commissions, Members and other members of the Secretariat in the development and implementation of programmatic activities
Ensure that IUCN is adequately represented in relevant regional, international fora and negotiations on Lands systems (forest, drylands and working lands/agriculture) in ESARO
Lead transformative policy influencing initiatives so as to position IUCN as strategic partner in the region
Provide evidence-based support and facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogues on emerging issues and policy debates, as requested by and under the Delegation of Authority by the Regional Director.
Develop and maintain strong strategic partnerships with global programme units, members, commissions, policy bodies and donors.
Lead the design and implementation of a coherent Programme organizational structure
Develop, coordinate and build capacity of thematic and cross thematic teams including at country level for coherence across IUCN global and regional programmes, field programmes, projects, members and partners.
Providing leadership in programme development aligned with the ‘One Programme’ approach and taking responsibility for ensuring that funding for the programme is secured and ensures that associated programme and project documentation is produced for fund-raising purposes.
Develop highly strategic initiatives that will unlock IUCN’s capacity to establish multi-million initiatives in the region.
Lead in the identification of strategic fundraising needs and in developing concepts and identify and nurture funding opportunities for the LS regional programme.
Develop project concepts and proposals, working closely with thematic programme teams and other relevant IUCN ESARO thematic programme, IUCN global programmes, IUCN members and Commissions and other partners.
Work with IUCN ESARO Senior management to identify donors and key strategic partners aligned to thematic and cross thematic priorities in the ESARO region.
Help maintain and strengthen relationships with key thematic donors.
Accountable for overseeing quality technical implementation within ESARO of LS contracted (“C”) projects, and the planning of the implementation of new projects during negotiation phases with donors.
Provide technical advice, guidance and support to projects, country offices as well as other Technical Thematic Coordinators, delegating appropriately.
Ensure that project/programme strategies and workplans are developed and implemented according to plan and commitments to partners and donors.
Work closely with the Finance and Administration as well as Human Resource Departments to ensure that projects/programmes are financially viable and have the necessary human resources and other resources necessary for effective implementation.
Ensure contractual obligations and IUCN’s policies and procedures are efficiently adhered to.
Ensure that the different projects are coordinated, synergetic and integrated and support each other to optimize programs and projects outcomes.
Unlock additional synergies and collaboration with other programmes and projects
Ensures the integration of cross cutting issues into design and implementation including gender.
Education:
Master’s degree in development, Studies, Environmental policies, Agriculture, Forestry/Agroforestry, natural resources management, or other relevant discipline.
High proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc)
Work Experience:
Minimum 10 years of experience in developing, managing and implementing multi-stakeholder projects with defined objectives, deliverables, monitoring and evaluation of results, including proven experience working in Eastern and Southern Africa.
Demonstrated understanding of issues related to land-use dynamics at the field, national and international level.
A good knowledge on land-use dynamics, and its social, environmental and economic implications.
Knowledge of the current thinking on climate impacts on land systems.
Familiarity with established and emerging biodiversity conservation approaches, and methodologies and processes related to land systems management.
Network development and alliance building skills to consult and collaborate across boundaries to build strategic relationships and achieve common goals; demonstrated ability to build consensus
Results based portfolio and project cycle management, monitoring and evaluation methodologies and principles and facilitation skills.
Project and Programme development and management, with demonstrated fundraising, budgeting and programme planning abilities and past performance, including experience of development and successful marketing of project proposals with donors, and subsequent delivery and reporting.
Strong interpersonal, management and supervisory skills and experience.
