Job Description

Exciting Career Opportunities at WWF Kenya

Are you creative, dynamic and driven by a passion for biodiversity and vision for a world where people live in harmony with nature?

WWF-Kenya believes in a future where people live in harmony with nature, so we’re committed to safeguarding the natural world.

As one of the leading conservation organisations in Kenya we work on tackling key threats to biodiversity.

We also focus on influencing the decisions – often involving governments, businesses and partners – which have a significant impact on the natural world, using our expertise and experience.

To do this, we need to create an organisation that is results-driven and adaptable, which inspires positive solutions to our Country’s environmental problems.

Position Title: Business Development and Enterprise Expert

Reports to: Wildlife Programme Manager – WWF-Kenya

Supervises: None

Position Level: Professional Level 1

Location: Mara Landscape, Narok, Kenya

Background and position summary

Although a relatively new approach in Kenya, Community Conservancies offer the potential to safeguard critical wildlife habitats and corridors in areas surrounding national parks, whilst positively supporting local livelihoods through wildlife tourism, improved rangeland management and promoting business and enterprise development.

Since 2015 WWF has supported the development of Oloisukut and Siana Community Conservancies – located in the buffer area surrounding the Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR). WWF’s support has been critical for these initial stages to develop the conservancies’ infrastructure and governance; support community members to obtain title deeds for their lands, establish wildlife monitoring and law enforcement, support rangeland management, mitigate human-wildlife conflict and develop alternative sources of community income.

Although Siana and Oloisukut Conservancies are now fully operational, they are not yet financially self-sustaining. Further support is required to maintain what has already been achieved and to secure financial diversification to support the sustainability of operations, and to provide opportunities and benefits for the communities and their members living in and around conservancies.

The primary responsibility of this position will be to lead on the development and implementation of businesses and enterprises for Siana and Oloisukut Conservancies, as well as for their members. The post will also capture and share approaches taken, challenges and lessons learnt to help inform other similar initiatives elsewhere in Kenya including in the SOKNOT landscape.

The role will work with a range of stakeholders across the landscape, including close collaboration with the Conservancies, local communities, other partners, potential investors, financial institutions, experts and agencies supporting the business planning and the diversification of livelihoods, to the scope and develop enterprise opportunities that benefit people, wildlife and habitats.

Initial ideas of enterprises include livestock, eco-tourism, agriculture, carbon payment schemes, Payment for Environmental Services and benefit-sharing schemes, but the expert is expected to go beyond these themes and explore other enterprise options that may work in the landscape.

At a national level, WWF-Kenya will continue to engage constructively with the government to take forward the recommendations of the Task Force established to consider the sustainable utilisation of wildlife – incorporating any learning from the work in and around Siana and Oloisukut conservancies.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Development of a comprehensive business and enterprise strategy for Siana and Oloisukut conservancies, including detailed plans to ensure financial sustainability of these areas.


• Lead on the development, piloting and implementation of new enterprises aimed at diversifying income towards the financial sustainability of the conservancies, greater livelihood security for communities and individual households.


• Lead on the identification of bankable nature-compatible projects and link conservancies to potential investors.


• Work with external consultants to incorporate advice on specialist areas (including the development of contracts, support communities to negotiate better business deals with tourism and other investors etc.).


• Lead on market analyses, including the development of links to market for key products and associated marketing strategies.


• Identify key opportunities to assist community members (particularly women and youth) to start and scale up their business.


• Support communities to gain access to information, resources, other relevant stakeholders and opportunities that are likely to empower them to develop businesses to improve their livelihoods.


• Lead on the monitoring and evaluation of data and reporting for the project, to track performance and adapt as required.


• On behalf of WWF, establish good working relationships with local communities and their leaders, and endeavour to uphold the reputation of WWF.


• Liaise closely with other Programmes of WWF-Kenya and the WWF Network including the Nature Pays Hub, to share knowledge and identify opportunities to support the conservancies’ business development.


• Document and share learnings to support the wider development of community conservancies in Kenya.


• Report to key stakeholders including donors – including the preparation of progress reports. Ensure implementation of activities is in line with respective donor grants, expectations and planned outcomes.


• In collaboration with WWF Communications Unit, contribute to periodic publications and features on community engagement.

Qualifications

• An undergraduate university degree in the field of business/enterprise (other undergraduate degrees will be considered where the candidate can demonstrate relevant experience).


• A relevant master’s degree is an added advantage.

Experience

• A minimum of 8 years’ active engagement and experience in developing business and enterprise solutions.

Key Skills /Competencies

• Experienced in business development, project management and financial planning


• Experience in developing business and enterprise strategies


• Ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural and diverse setting


• Ability to build good relationships and work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders in a respectful, participatory manner. Experience of engaging with ‘hard to reach’ members of society is desirable.


• Ability to communicate effectively (written and verbal) with a wide range of collaborators/audiences, including proven ability to write a project and donor reports.


• Commitment to WWF and its mission.

Working Relationships

• Internal: Interacts frequently with theme leaders, Coordinators/ Managers, Projects Officers, Consultants, researchers, and all WWF-Kenya staffExternal: Interacts frequently with a range of WWF partner office staff, government departments and other agencies, conservation officials in the country, development agencies, NGOs, INGOs, investors, financial institutions, impact investment funds and donors.

How to Apply?

For more details please apply with your CV and cover letter as one file with the Job Title of Position Applied for on the subject line to the HR &Administration Manager, WWF-Kenya: hresource@wwfkenya.org to be received no later than 25th October 2019.

We will not accept applications without a CV and cover letter.

Work permit restrictions may apply

Kindly note that only short listed candidates will be contacted.

WWF Kenya ¡s an equal opportunity employer and ¡s committed to having a diverse workforce.

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