Program Design Officer

The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), an international conservation organization headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, invites applications for the post of Program Design Officer for the Democratic Republic of Congo,who 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 in DRC as well as co-responsible for fundraising from specific donors across the growing AWF Program in Central Africa. The position will be based in Kinshasa, DRC.

The successful candidate will:-

1) Fundraise from official/professional sources

  • 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 DRC or with significant DRC/Central African interests. Act as focal point for all information and intelligence on donor opportunities in and relating to DRC. Coordinate, track and manage donor relationships and design initiatives in DRC.
  • 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 p.a.for the AWF Maringa Lopori Wamba Heartland from official sources.
  • Support DC-based fundraising initiatives. Act as the focal point within the Maringa Lopori Wamba Heartland for interaction with AWF’s Washington-based Department of Development and Marketing, regarding information required for submissions to US-based private funding sources.

2) Support Heartland team with oversight on grant management, budgeting and planning

  • Support grant planning and financial tracking of ongoing grants. Focal point for development of and twice yearly updating of three year Heartland funding strategy and translating this into funding priorities.

3) Undertake program analysis, learning, knowledge management and communications activities

  • Support sound analysis and documenting of lessons learned & best practice in AWF. Provide multi-disciplinary analytical support to the Heartland Program, 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 program agenda.
  • Provide and or prepare digests of program information written to different target audiences including “success stories” from the Heartland, and short communications for AWF’s internet, intranet and newsletters.
  • Prepare specific technical publications related to personal technical competencies, and support other Heartland staff with writing analytical pieces.

4) Provide technical support to program

  • Provide technical support to the Heartland team in areas of personal technical competency, as requested by Heartland Director and other senior AWF staff.
  • Provide technical support to Heartland strategy development; Heartland Conservation Planning; annual work plans and budgets, grant management and tracking, reporting to donors, and coordination with the finance department in Washington, D.C.
  • Contribute to the evolution of the Program Design function within AWF, and specifically within the Maringa Lopori Wamba Heartland.
  • Co-represent AWF in local fora, as requested by Heartland Director or Vice President for Program Design.

Minimum required qualifications, skills and abilities

  • Reputable Undergraduate and preferably postgraduate (MBA, MSc or PhD) qualifications required in relevant field: e.g. economics, business management, conservation, natural resource management, rural development.
  • At least 3 years relevant experience of working at a responsible level in conservation and development in Africa preferred, including direct experience of raising 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.
  • Fluency in spoken and written English and French required. Competency in African languages an advantage.
  • Proven ability to conceptualize and write project documents and reports;
  • Good interpersonal skills including the ability to negotiate and manage donor relationships;
  • 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;
  • Ability and willingness to fulfill AWF administrative and accounting procedures.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please send your CV, a covering letter, and an example of your writing to by June 30, 2007. Only short listed candidates will contacted.

AWF is an equal opportunity employer.