International Fund For Animal Welfare Careers

Role and Responsibilities

•  Support the Director, International Policy to develop, implement and deliver IFAW's International Policy Strategy, particularly as it relates to African governments and African-based international policy forums and institutions.
•  Under the supervision of the Director, International Policy and in close collaboration with Country/Regional and Program staff, design and implement strategies that engage with policy initiatives of African governments and African-based international institutions to affect policy change and implementation in line with IFAW's International Policy Strategy, Program and Regional strategies, and guided by IFAW's Institutional Strategic Plan.
•  Support the implementation of Engagement Plans for specific meetings of relevant MEAs and Conventions, as they relate to African governments. Relevant agreements and institutions include but are not limited to: UN biodiversity conventions (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)), the other Rio Conventions (UNFCCC, UNCCD), the UN Environment Assembly and the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and the IUCN.
•  In close collaboration with Country/Regional and Program staff, identify and develop strategic relationships with key African governments and key global institutions based in Africa, such as UN Environment and UN country missions based in Nairobi, and the African Union, in order to advance Institutional and Programmatic strategies in the conservation and protection of wildlife.
•  In coordination with Country/Regional staff, represent IFAW as required in meetings with senior decision-makers in Africa and at regional and international meetings of relevant agreements and institutions.
•  Provide support for Program and Regional/Country staff in implementation of campaigns/strategies/projects to influence and change perceptions, policies and practices of African governments and other stakeholders at a national and international level. Provide guidance on IFAW advocacy, and regular constructive feedback and mentorship to team members and staff, as required.
•  Responsible for effective administration of Campaigns and Projects under this portfolio, including the development and management of budgets, contractors, and regular reporting to the Supervisor and other IFAW audiences.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

•  Undergraduate degree or equivalent required. Advanced degree in public policy, conservation, biological or environmental science preferred.
•  A minimum of 5 years relevant combined experience in Africa in management, global campaigns and international conservation and/or closely-related government or NGO field and proven track record in successful and innovative strategy development and implementation.
•  Demonstrable understanding of and experience and background in Multi-Environmental Agreements or other wildlife conservation and animal welfare related international conventions or treaties, politics and political decision-making mechanisms. Experience of working in government or intergovernmental institutions desirable.
•  Experience and background in international politics and political decision-making mechanisms required, including experience of African politics and an understanding of African-based international institutions.
•  Dedication to wildlife conservation and animal welfare, a demonstrable understanding of the politics of African wildlife conservation and an existing network of contacts in government and conservation sectors.
•  Ability to work in diverse, international teams to achieve common goals.
•  Fluency in English required. Fluency in French and/or another common language used in Africa is beneficial.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

•  Bachelor's degree or the equivalent experience preferred
•  5 + years administrative support experience, ideally including experience working in an international NGO or multinational company.
•  2+ years Office Management or equivalent experience
•  Ability to confidently communicate with all staff, visitors, vendors, etc. across cultures and backgrounds.
•  Excellent written and verbal communication skills
•  Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
•  Extremely well organized and ability to prioritize
•  Excellent time management skills with proven ability to meet deadlines
•  Ability to work well in a fast-paced environment with strong attention to detail
•  Strong working knowledge of office administration, clerical procedures, and recordkeeping systems.
•  Ability to maintain a high level of integrity and discretion in handling confidential information
•  Expert proficiency in Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook a must

Role and Responsibilities

• Manages a financial and administrative support team for regional projects, significant emphasis on managing donor restricted grants and contracts, such as grant administration, financial and progress reporting and database management
• Oversees and may provide direct support for the day to day operations of staff
• Ensures accurate projects budgets are maintained by coordinating with project and support teams to process financial updates and reforecast on an ongoing basis to inform monthly reporting and accurate end-of-year projections, may include budget transfers and expenses reallocations
• Provides technical and financial review of sub award and grantee reporting
• Works closely with Project leads and support staff to prepare donor reports, including lead on report generating and review to ensure sufficient, accurate and timely submission
• Coordinates EA Programs’ contribution for quarterly and annual reporting needs, including synthesizing technical progression, restricted award performance, budget variances, impact, and providing top-level illustrative narratives for internal reporting
• Responsible for ensuring annual and multiyear work plans and budgeting for regional projects are compiled for accurate and timely submission
• Actively engages on regional proposal development efforts as key member of proposal team, including producing cost application budgeting for restricted institutional and government grants
• Consults with Programs and Development departments to appropriately recognize incoming restricted funding received by ifaw for regional use and facilities the reflection and use of funds
• Supports the Head of Programs and project leads with partner coordination including sub-contractors, and sub-awardees
• Provides the necessary support, mentorship and training to build staff and regional capacity, effectiveness and efficiency particularly within the project lifecycle
• Actively promotes effective communication, coordination and information sharing within and between project teams, Finance, Development, HR, Compliance, Impact & Evaluation, and Communications to strengthen operational communications between departments and field operations
• Develops a deep understanding of relevant institutional policies and procedures
• Proactively identifies problems and formulates recommendations for corrective action

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in business administration or a relevant field preferred and a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, including experience in public or business administration, international development, project or financial management with multiple funders and/or stakeholders.
• Familiarity with managing contracts or grants for government-funded projects as well as bilateral or multilateral donors is desirable (USAID, EU, UKAID, USFWS, US-INL).
• Strong understanding of administrative, financial management and operational processes required.
• Pragmatic, self-motivated, composed under pressure, with professional acumen, good judgment, and a highly developed sense of responsibility.
• Experience serving in a people management role and willingness to provide the necessary support, mentorship and training to direct reports as well support broader internal capacity building efforts.
• Demonstrated ability to use word processing, database, and spreadsheet software packages; Microsoft Office, Intermediate to advanced experience with Microsoft Excel in particular.
• Ability to manage and prioritize competing demands, deadlines and processes with an exceptional customer service ethic and orientation, anticipate and proactively respond to work requests.
• Demonstrate proactive critical thinking and practical problem-solving abilities, including ability to work independently.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Effective communication skills, including with senior level management, both internal and external, and ability to operate in a culturally diverse international organization.
• English language skills required. Other languages (e.g. Maa an asset).
• Solid understanding of wildlife conservation and animal rescue issues preferred.
• Flexibility required; able to work flexible work hours, as needed, to accommodate staff working outside of Nairobi, Kenya.
• Ability and willingness to travel to IFAW field operational areas is a must.

Experience

Required

• Solid understanding of wildlife conservation and animal rescue issues
• 5 years: Relevant experience, including experience in public or business administration, international development, project or financial management with multiple funders and/or stakeholders.

Preferred

Familiarity with managing contracts or grants for government-funded projects as well as bilateral or multilateral donors is desirable (USAID, EU, UKAID, USFWS, US-INL).