Conservation Programmes Manager

About Us

Space for Giants is an international conservation organisation that protects Africa’s remaining natural ecosystems and the large wild animals they contain, while bringing major social and economic value to local communities and national governments. We have three thematic pillars of work to achieve our mission which are: 1) The protection and management of natural ecosystems and associated value creation for local citizens; 2) Combating the illegal wildlife trade; and 3) Promoting Human-Wildlife Coexistence. We pride ourselves on our highly collaborative approach with national governments, recognising the importance of being relevant to elected leaders and their constituents, striving to ensure that our conservation work is aligned with their priorities. Grounded in world class science, we bring high quality technical expertise and experience to inform and deliver our conservation programmes, wherever we work. Learn more about our work on our website: www.spaceforgiants.org

Job Description

Performance Criteria

1. Programme management

• Provide daily support to the Director of Conservation as directed, especially focused on financial reporting, project reporting, grants writing and communication
• Provide project management support across the Conservation department by tracking and reporting on updates for all projects, tracking key deliverables, targets, budgets vs actuals
• Provide operational support to the Conservation Director in setting up meetings, taking meeting notes, circulating these to all participants, and following up on all actions required
• Development of project proposals, conducting site assessments and supporting the development of business plans
• Providing guidance and management support to various departments within SFG including Conservation Monitoring & Evaluation, HWC, Conservation Investment and Conservation Landscapes.

2. Financial Management

• Support the Conservation Director to develop and submit annual strategic objectives and associated budgets for approval
• Project budget reporting on budget vs actual, adjustments required, red flags
• Work with and in support of the Director of Conservation to ensure that all projects are being managed and delivered in compliance with funding contracts and delivery terms

3. Impact Measurement

• Support the Conservation Impact Manager to develop and maintain an impact measurement framework to measure the division’s impact and to monitor and evaluate this over time. In doing so, supporting the Communications Department in reporting SFG’s impact to our network of supporters and partners.

4. Fundraising

• Assist with grant writing applications as well as supporting institutional and private grant reporting requirements
• Development of concept notes, proposals, presentations, etc for use in reporting and fundraising

5. Strategy

• Provide inputs to the Conservation Director to inform and shape the units strategy and five year road map

Organizational Governance

1. Finance

• Provide input into the Departmental Budgets on a yearly basis

2. Risk Management

• Help identify risks in project delivery and possible mitigation efforts that could be taken.

3. Impact Measurement and Management

• Record and Report on the Impact each Programme is having based on objectives vs. outcome vs. deliverables and targets to be achieved per Programme
• Record and Report on loss opportunities and potential reasons for same
• Ensure adherence to Impact measurement protocols & Standard Operating Procedures for each Programme

4. Regulatory and Compliance

• Record and escalate any regulatory or compliance deviations or risks per programme

Stakeholder Management

1. Strategic Relationships

Support the Conservation Director in maintaining relationships between:

• Internal stakeholders: Employees, Consultants, interns and volunteers and
• External stakeholders: Partner organizations, Donors, Vendors, Giants Club Presidents and associated government points of contact

Performance Management

1. Capacity Building

• Identify existing and potential staff requirements
• Oversee development and upskilling of direct and in-direct reports

2. Performance Management

• Conduct the Annual Performance Management Review with direct Reports
• Conduct the Cultural Contract renewal process with direct Reports and Interns
• Record, own and direct reports leave, timesheets and travel requirements

1. Staff Engagement

• Support the Development and Conduct a yearly Organizational Employee engagement survey
• Provide assistance and collaborate professionally with interns/scholars as required
• Engage with team members collaboratively to achieve the objectives of the unit
• Overseeing adherence to the internal Culture Contract

1. Direct Reports

• Conservation Monitoring Coordinator, GIS Data Coordinator, Human Wildlife Coexistence Team

Special Projects

1. SFG ambassador

• Represent the Conservation Director when requested to do so at meetings, conferences and events
• Represent SFG professionally and uphold the companies values at any external event or with any external parties
• Provide input as per special assignments requested by Conservation Director as the need arises

Culture and Values

1. Drive the Organizational Culture to internal and external Stakeholders

2. Conduct oneself and encourage team behavior to create awareness and reinforce Organizational Vision, Values and the Culture Contract

Any other relevant tasks related to the role as directed by the Supervisor

Person Specification

Key Skills: Experienced in Project management and people management, Efficient, Hard-Working, Driven, Innovative and Organized.

Uphold the cultural values and code of conduct of Space for Giants: Passion, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability, and Innovation.

Experience, Knowledge & Competencies

• Minimum Master’s degree level education or equivalent experience relevant to field of conservation management;
• At least five years of project management within the conservation sector
• Excellent written and oral communication skills (french, portuguese an advantage)
• Demonstrated ability to lead, inspire and mentor a team
• Excellent project and systems management skills
• Proven experience in working with African Governments and other Stakeholders within the conservation space.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to identify trends and patterns of information.
• Experience writing high quality descriptive reports;
• Exceptional organizational skills, ability to facilitate communication between different locations and ability work independently to meet deadlines
• Independent thinker and showing initiative in developing innovative approaches
• Exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills, ability to facilitate communication between different locations and ability work independently to meet deadlines
• Willingness to undertake some work related travel
• Working knowledge of various types of conservation technology (including but not limited to SMART, Earthranger, GIS etc.);
• Valid driving license

Additional Information

• Location: Kenya/Uganda
• Contract: Full Time
• Reporting to: Director of Conservation
• Direct Reports: Conservation Monitoring Coordinator, GIS Data Coordinator, Human Wildlife Coexistence Team
• Hours: 40 hrs per week
• This is a full-time position. You may be required to work long hours beyond the traditional 8:00am to 5:00pm as and when submission deadlines require. Additional work hours may be required on occasion so as to fulfil responsibilities.
• Flexible & Negotiable location for candidates in Africa with preference for candidates based in Kenya or Uganda.
• You must be ready to travel regionally across our projects in Africa.
• You must be willing to work in variable conditions, including when in the field.
• The position will start immediately when the successful applicant has been selected and is available to take up the position.