Head of the African Centre for Nature Restoration & Resilience at Natural State

Role summary

• We are seeking a visionary and experienced leader and entrepreneur to serve as the Head of Centre for the African Centre for Nature Restoration & Resilience. This pivotal role will guide the establishment and long-term growth of the Centre, overseeing strategic development, partnerships, operational management, and training programmes. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead a pioneering institution that will shape the future of nature restoration across Africa. The ideal candidate will drive the Centre's aim to become a leader and role model in equitable nature restoration training and leadership in Africa.  

Key Responsibilities

• Centre Development & Operations: Oversee the Centre’s development, ensuring it is operational by Q4 2025, including construction, governance and policies, team recruitment, IT setup, and day-to-day management.
• Strategic Leadership & Income Generation: Develop and implement the Centre’s long-term strategy and sustainable business model, securing diverse income streams including philanthropic funding for bursaries and scholarships.
• Team Leadership: Lead the Centre’s team, ensuring effective recruitment, performance management, and creating a motivated, high-performing team.
• Programme & Curriculum Development: Design and implement world-class training programmes in collaboration with internal and global partners, focusing on scalable, practical solutions for nature restoration.
• Participant Admissions and Management: Oversee design and operations of participant admissions process, including the bursary fund, ensuring diversity, inclusion, and positive participant experiences from recruitment to programme completion.
• Specialist hubs: Oversee the design and implementation of a Rangelands Restoration Hub and Community Hub on site and ensure close collaboration with surrounding communities for shared learning, knowledge exchange, and collaboration.
• Governance & Reporting: Ensure compliance with governance frameworks, report regularly to the Centre’s Senior Board, Subcommittee, and NATURAL STATE team, and manage workplans, M&E, and budgets effectively.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree required. 
• Proven experience in successfully setting up and operating new education institutions or other capacity building-related non-profits or social enterprises.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in education settings and / or long-term capacity building programmes. Adult teaching experience is an advantage. 
• Minimum of 10 years of leadership in education settings and / or long-term capacity building programmes. Adult teaching experience is an advantage. 
• Strong background in strategic planning, partnership development, and income generation.
• Strong entrepreneurial tendency with experience in business model/plan development.
• Demonstrated experience in engaging with diverse local, national, and international partners.
• A desire to see inclusive, diverse, and equitable education and capacity building results. 
• A passion for nature restoration/conservation and education/capacity building.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and guide a diverse team and partner group.
• Fluency in English both written and spoken required, and knowledge of local languages, cultures and ecosystems are a bonus.
• Strong skills in the use of Microsoft Apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Valid driver’s license.

Compensation

• A competitive salary will be offered, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• In addition, Natural State offers a total of 33 days holiday per year (including annual leave and public holidays) and additional office closure days in December, a pension scheme and medical cover.