JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title: / Senior Programme Design Officer / SalaryRange: / Competitive
Location: / Nairobi, Kenya / Department: / Programme Design and Knowledge Management
Supervisor: / VP for Program Design
Position Summary:
AWF is inviting applications for the Senior Programme Design Officer who will be responsible to lead fundraising from public sector sources for AWF’s programme in Eastern Africa. The officer will be responsible for raising funds from government and professional foundation donors and for all aspects of donor relationship management for all AWF’s work inEastern Africa. This position will work very closely with the other members of the AWF Programme Design team, with the field based implementation teams and with AWF finance and administration staff. The person hired will have outstanding written and oral communication skills, extensive conservation experience and a high level of technical competence in contemporary conservation and development issues in Africa. This position is based at AWF’s Headquarters in Nairobi.
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 Kenyaand 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, with a goal of securing at least $0.75 million for each of the Samburu, Kilimanjaro and Maasai SteppeHeartlands per year from official sources. Responsible as focal point for all proposals submitted to allocated donors.
c)Support DC-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. /

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 multi-disciplinary 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.
b)Provide and or prepare digests of programme information written to different target audiences including “success stories” from the Heartlands, and short communications for AWF’s internet, intranet and newsletter(s).
c)Prepare specific technical publications related to personal technical competencies, and support other Heartland staff with preparing and publishing their own technical publications as requested.
4. / Providing technical support to programme
a)Provide technical support to Heartland teams in areas of personal technical competency, as requested by Regional Programme Director and Heartland Directors.
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 WashingtonDC finance office.
c)Contribute to the evolution of the Programme Design function within AWF.
d)Represent AWF in international and local fora, as requested.
Qualifications
EDUCATION / Reputable Undergraduate and Postgraduate (MBA, MSc or PhD) qualifications required in relevant fields: including economics, business management, conservation, natural resource management, rural development.
EXPERIENCE / At least 5 years relevant 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.
SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE / 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 by December 15th 2008.

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