Chief Program Officer at Ol Pejeta Conservancy (OPC)

• The Chief Program Officer is responsible for overseeing and managing the organization's strategy and leading all conservation and community efforts. This includes developing and implementing strategies to protect wildlife, habitats, and ecosystems, as well as managing resources, developing and managing programs, stakeholder relationships and personnel to effectively carry out these efforts. S/he will lead the organization in fulfilling its mission and achieving its conservation goals, protecting and preserving natural and cultural resources for future generations. The Chief Program Officer has a key role in advocacy and fundraising efforts to support the organization’s mission.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Provide visionary leadership to develop and execute the organization's conservation and community vision, goals, and strategies in alignment with its mission and values. and guide the conservation and community teams and the organization in achieving Ol Pejeta’s long-term conservation objectives.
• Implement monitoring and evaluation systems to assess the effectiveness of conservation and community programs, identify areas for improvement, and measure progress toward goals.
• Collaborate with the organization's board of directors to communicate conservation and community strategies, provide updates on progress, and seek guidance.
• Foster a culture of scientific research and data-driven decision-making to inform conservation and community strategies
• Prepare for and respond to environmental crises, such as natural disasters or emerging conservation threats and/ or associated challenges to the community. Adapt strategies accordingly.

Programme Management and Collaboration:

• Lead the design and implementation of conservation and community programmes, initiatives, and projects that contribute to the organization's mission.

Oversee the project management office to:

• Supporting strategy development, monitoring and course correction (as required).
• Support strategic projects that enhance the conservation and community efforts, and which support long-term sustainability and resilience.
• Supporting annual planning (work plans, budgets etc) across departments to ensure the organizations strategy is being effectively implemented and management can take timely management decisions around resource allocation.
• Ensure annual plans are packaged as projects that can be translated to proposals for donors as compelling projects with clear goals, timelines and funding requirements.
• Provide a framework for effective project implementation including tool development and roll out, backstopping and coordination and technical support to M&E and help build capacity of staff around Project Management.
• Develop and manage budgets for conservation and community programs, ensuring resources are allocated effectively and efficiently.

Partnerships, Advocacy and Community Engagement:

• Communicate effectively to varied audiences to promote engagement, collaboration, and support.
• Lead partnership and collaboration with other like-minded organisations for knowledge sharing and to leverage resources and expertise for increased impact.
• Work closely with local communities, stakeholders, and partners to foster positive relationships, share knowledge, and involve them in conservation activities.
• Collaborate with government agencies and policymakers to influence conservation-related decisions.
• Advocate for conservation policies and regulations that support the organization's objectives at local, regional, and national levels.
• Provide thought leadership, participating in key forum and representing the organization, at a national and global level.

Team Leadership and Development:

• Recruit, mentor, and manage a diverse team of conservation and development professionals, fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment.
• Provide guidance, support, and professional development opportunities to team members.
• Promote organizational learning through conservation data and knowledge management (data collection, analysis and reporting/sharing).

Qualifications and skills:

• An advanced degree (A Master’s degree or higher) in conservation, business management or a related discipline.
• At least 10 years of experience in conservation planning, programme design or development both at the conceptual and practical level.
• At least 5 years of direct experience in relation to environment, development, conservation, or sustainability in a senior leadership role.
• The ability to lead the development and execution of long-term organizational strategies and plans
• Proven leadership skills, including experience managing multidisciplinary teams, overseeing large projects, and guiding strategic initiatives.
• Strong organizational and project management skills to ensure the successful execution of complex programs.
• Proven experience to engage and influence diverse stakeholders, including KWS, KWCA, county and national government, communities, NGOs, donors, and partners.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively convey complex conservation concepts to a wide range of audiences, from scientists to the public.
• Understanding of conservation advocacy and policy development processes, and the ability to influence policy decisions at various levels of government.
• Commitment to ethical conservation practices and sustainable resource management, demonstrating a strong sense of environmental ethics.
• Ability to respond effectively to environmental crises, adapting strategies and implementing emergency measures as needed.
• A genuine passion for conservation and a deep commitment to the organization's mission and the preservation of natural resources.
• Willingness to explore innovative conservation approaches, adapt to changing environmental conditions, and embrace new technologies and methodologies.
• Experience of working in an international and/or multi-cultural environment, with NGO experience and management of large grant budgets is an advantage.