Chief Field Officer

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

POSITION SUMMARY – This position is based in Nairobi, Kenya

The Chief Field Officer, Africa Field Division (CFO Africa), leads Conservation International’s strategy, delivery, and impact in Africa, with a focus on four primary elements: Conservation Outcomes, Operational Excellence, Reimagining Conservation, and Fundraising. They lead a team of 290+ staff with an annual budget of $40 million.

The CFO Africa develops and oversees a Pan African strategy by identifying priorities, raising and allocating flexible funding resources, and representing CI to internal and external partners, including high-level decision-makers both internally within CI, and externally with donor agencies, governments, and private sector leaders.

This position reports to the Executive Vice President, Field Programs, and is a member of CI’s Leadership Team that is responsible for overseeing the organization’s strategies and delivery.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and lead the implementation of CI’s strategy for Africa which includes unlocking sustainable financing in iconic landscapes while building nature-based livelihoods, building capacity and improving governance of governments, poverty alleviation through nature conservation, and working with indigenous people to fight climate change.
• Oversee the Africa Field Division’s operations team and ensure operational excellence including identification of inefficiencies; fully align the operations team with the Africa strategy, vision, and goals.
• Oversee project and program design and ensure quality and alignment with vision and strategy, including oversight of programs funded by public and private donors, as well as REDD+ and/or climate financing programs.
• Lead annual planning and budgeting for the Africa Field Division in collaboration with CI’s Leadership team.
• Build and implement a multi-year plan to increase staff capacity to design and deliver high-quality conservation projects in compliance with CI and donor requirements.
• Lead and manage the Africa Field Division’s Executive Management Team with a particular focus on accountability, delivery excellence, staff well-being as well as a culture of equity, inclusion, and diversity throughout the Division.
• Establish and maintain a culture of compassionate conservation that embraces human-centered design for conservation and supports local- and Indigenous-led conservation.
• Identify and pursue new resources for CI’s Africa strategy, and fundraise from individuals, foundations, government, and corporate sources. Identify, cultivate, steward, and solicit high-net-worth private donors in partnership with CI’s Development teams.
• Oversee public funding and corporate partnerships and ensure alignment with CI’s Africa strategy.
• Communicate progress on regional strategies and action plans internally within CI and externally through media, social media, and targeted communications.
• Lead establishment, stewardship, cultivation, and growth of an Africa Council.
• Represent CI’s work in Africa with CI board members and other CI bodies to develop high-impact partnerships with private sectors, governments, academia, and other non-governmental organizations.
• Represent CI with high-level government officials and private sector leaders.

People and Resource Management Responsibilities

• Oversee approximately 290+ staff across the Africa Field Division, including nine direct reports.
• Responsible for an average annual budget of $40m.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The position requires significant travel with up to 50% of time dedicated to travel to countries in Africa, Europe, and the USA for high-level meetings and fundraising. Travel is conducted only when safe to do so and in accordance with CI policies and country-specific mandates or restrictions.
• Guidance on flexible work arrangements will be shared during the interview process.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• A Master’s/Postgraduate degree or equivalent and more than 15 years of broad conservation and/or natural resource management leadership, strategy development, and program management experience. Experience in Africa is required.
• 5 or more years of experience in senior leadership.
• 7 or more years of experience managing teams of professional employees.
• Demonstrated ability to lead high-impact conservation projects.
• Demonstrated success in influencing and communicating with national-level authorities and private sector leaders.
• Ability to transform research and project results into practical decision-making tools and improved practices and policies for governments, private sector, and civil society.
• A proven track record of identifying strategic issues and priorities, developing implementation teams and plans, and serving as the key decision-maker on programmatic, fundraising, and operational issues.
• Advanced university degree in conservation and/or development, or related field, or significant equivalent expertise and experience.
• A proven track record of successful fundraising at the $1 million+ level.
• Excellent ability to work in a variety of cultural and political settings.
• Professional fluency in English.

Preferred

• A doctoral degree in conservation, natural resource management, and/or development.
• Fluency in French and/or Portuguese

To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

Conservation International is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility-committed employer. We are proud to have a diverse, global workforce where employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, position requirements, business needs, market conditions, merit, and other legitimate nondiscriminatory factors.