The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), an international conservation organization headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, invites applications for the post of Programme Design Officer (PDO) to lead fundraising from public sector sources for AWF¡¦s programme in eastern Africa, to be based in our Headquarters in Nairobi. The PDO will lead on raising funds from government and professional foundation donors for AWFs work in Kenya and support fundraising for AWFs work in Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This position will work very closely with the other members of the AWF Programme Design team, the field-based Heartland teams, other key Program staff and AWF finance and administration staff and reports to the Vice President for Programme Design and Knowledge Management.
Key Accountabilities -Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Fundraising from official/professional sources
a) Manage regional and local donor relationships. Explore and manage donor relationships, and act as a specialist source of knowledge on opportunities arising within bilateral and multilateral donor agencies and professional foundations represented in Kenya and and regionally. Additionally act as focal point for all information and intelligence for a set of specified global and regional donors.
b) Prepare and submit proposals. Responsible for leading on and/or contributing to preparation of specific funding proposals, taking them through from research, partnership formation, writing, revising and finalising text through to the internal review and external negotiation processes, in full compliance with AWF protocols and in close collaboration with Heartland teams and other Program staff, with a goal of securing at least $0.75 million p.a. for each of the Samburu and Kilimanjaro Heartlands. Will also support proposals processes for Maasai Steppe and Virungas Heartlands. Responsible as focal point for all proposals submitted to allocated donors.
c) Support US-based fundraising initiatives by Development Department. Ensure effective interaction with AWF¡¦s Washington-based Department of Development and Marketing, regarding information required for submissions to US-based family and professional foundations. Help to ensure full collaboration between Programme Design and Development functions of AWF.
2. Provide oversight on grant management
a) General support to Samburu and Kilimanjaro Heartlands with management of existing grants. Provide support with 3 year funding strategy preparation and updating, pipeline tracking, grant planning and financial tracking of ongoing grants.
3. Analysis, learning, knowledge management and communications
a) Support sound analysis and documenting of lessons learned & best practice in AWF. Provide analytical support to the Heartland Programme, nurture these skills in Heartland staff, and assist in the development and implementation of an integrated information and knowledge management strategy within AWF, in support of the programme agenda.
4. Providing technical support to programme
a) Provide technical support to Heartland teams in areas of personal technical competency, as requested.
b) Provide technical support to annual budgeting and planning processes, updating of 3-year funding strategies, preparation of Heartland strategies, grant management and tracking, reporting to donors, and coordination with the finance and administration teams in the field, Nairobi Headquarters and Washington DC finance office.
c) Contribute to the evolution of the Programme Design function within AWF.
d) Represent AWF in international and local for as requested.
Key Skills, Experience and Knowledge
- Reputable Undergraduate and Postgraduate (MBA, MSc or PhD) qualifications required in relevant fields: including economics, business management, conservation, natural resource management, rural development.
- Experience of working at a responsible level in conservation, including direct experience of conservation in Africa, and strong track record in raising significant volumes of restricted funding.
- Demonstrable experiencing of engaging in high level stakeholder consultation with regards to conservation in Africa, including donor presentations and policy dialogue.
- Demonstrable commitment to AWF mission and understanding of issues faced by AWF in delivering its mission.
- Up-to-date understanding of current bilateral and multilateral donor agencies¡¦ and professional foundations¡¦ priorities would be considered an additional advantage
- Outstanding interpersonal skills including the ability to negotiate and manage donor relationships;
- Proven ability to conceptualize and write project documents (including budgets, logframes, and work plans) and reports.
- Ability to communicate effectively with a wide group of partners, including proactive sharing of information and reporting;
- Advanced computer and internet skills;
- Ability to work as part of a team and independently;
- A flexible, multi-tasker who meets deadlines.
- Ability and willingness to fulfil AWF administrative and accounting procedures;
- Fluency in written and spoken English essential. Fluency in French a strong advantage. Fluency in Kiswahili and other African languages also an advantage.
Interested candidates should forward a 2-3 page CV, cover letter and a sample of their written work to Senior Human Resources officer at HumanResources@awfke.org by June 15, 2009. Only short listed candidates will contacted.
AWF is an equal opportunity employer and female candidates are encouraged to apply.
