Location: The role is based at the NATURAL STATE Research Centre, with extensive fieldwork within Kenya and some international work
Position Type: Full-time
Report to: Director of Impact Monitoring
Term: 1-year contract with possible extension
Positions reporting into this role: Field Implementation Lead, Social Impact lead, Field Botanist
Application instructions: Please follow the full instructions at the end of this job advert
The Organisation
NATURAL STATE is a not-for-profit organisation headquartered in the savannas of Kenya with the aim of catalysing nature restoration globally. We design and test new nature financing mechanisms and the supporting impact monitoring systems, train local leaders to access this finance, and deliver large-scale restoration projects. Our location on the doorstep of vast ecosystems means that our team can be in the field every day, testing solutions in the places and with the people facing the challenges.
Founded in 2021, we have built a team of 40+ members individually selected to bring together decades of experience and proven track records in landscape monitoring, nature financing mechanism creation, the development of IT solutions, and the design and implementation of leading conservation education training programmes. It is also important to us to nurture a new generation of experts in the region, so we also recruit talented career starters from the local communities who undergo rigorous on-the-job training under the wing of our more experienced team members.
Diversity, inclusivity, and empowerment are central to Natural State’s mission, and we are deeply committed to social justice. We are proud to have cultivated a diverse and multicultural team, where individuals from various backgrounds come together to drive innovation, creativity, and excellence. Nevertheless, we recognise the harm racism and inequality have wrought in the communities where we work and in the conservation field generally. We appreciate the urgency of including new voices and perspectives from historically marginalised communities. If you come from a disadvantaged community, we urge you to reach out to us before applying, even if you are unsure about your fit for the advertised position, as we continue our efforts to remove barriers to equitable opportunity.
We have a supporting 501(c)(3) non-profit organisation in the US. For more information, visitwww.naturalstate.org.
Position Overview:
We are seeking a highly motivated and talented Project Coordinator to join our teams focused on biological monitoring and human well-being across landscapes, with an initial focus on African savannas but broadening to other biomes. The Project Coordinator will work with Natural State’s Directors of Impact Monitoring to coordinate the successful delivery of project activities and ensure the timely achievement of the department’s milestones. As a young organisation, Natural State requires employees to be flexible, quick to learn new skills, and ready to tackle evolving responsibilities and challenges.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Scientific
- Manage, guide, and mentor the Field Implementation and Social Impact teams in implementing their data collection activities to meet Natural State’s goals and commitments to donors.
- Work with the heads of the Biometrics, Carbon Sciences and Technical Delivery divisions to ensure that all field and social data collected are accurate, appropriately categorised and labelled, and in the format required by NS protocols.
- Coordinate with the heads of division on the planning and implementation of activities between the different divisions of the Impact Monitoring department.
- Coordinate with division leads to write and format reports to partners and donors on the activities undertaken by Natural State’s Impact Monitoring team.
- Coordinate with division leads to develop and optimise data models for collecting field observations.
- Work with the Carbon Sciences and Biometrics team to write and publish scientific articles on Natural State’s work in peer-reviewed publications.
Logistical
- Foster and maintain partnerships and collaborations with external stakeholders, organisations and institutions.
- Attend meetings with landowners and stakeholders to build and maintain collaborations across the landscape.
- Assist with budgeting and logistical planning for the Impact Monitoring department’s work.
- Work with the Director of Impact Monitoring to manage resources and ensure timely completion of activities, documentation, and communication of funding and reporting deadlines.
- Represent the Impact Monitoring department with visiting donors and partners.
Operational
- Assist Natural State’s fundraising team in developing funding pitches and grant applications tailored to research and development projects of specific interest to the Impact Monitoring team.
- Coordinate with Natural State’s Operations department to facilitate the procurement of field equipment for the Impact Monitoring department.
- Coordinate with Natural State’s Operations department on permitting requirements for all fieldwork activities in Kenya. This will include supporting the preparation, submission and renewal of research permits and facilitating the acquisition of export permits for biological samples and equipment import permits while ensuring that Natural State’s fieldwork complies with all location-specific guidelines.
Required qualifications & experience
- PhD in biology, ecology, conservation or related discipline
- Proven experience of 3 to 5 years in management position
- Proven ten years of experience in project management with exceptional organisational and planning skills
- An understanding of the permitting requirements relevant to fieldwork in Kenya
- Experience collecting environmental data in the field.
- Experience using project management tools.
- Experience interpreting scientific data and terminology.
- Experience with relational databases and coding languages, especially SQL and Python, is a significant advantage.
- Experience working with spatial data
- Fluency in the English, Swahili and other languages common in the northern rangelands of Kenya
- Good writing and presentation skills
- Strong experience with Microsoft Suite, including Microsoft Teams
- A valid driver’s license
How to apply
Please send a cover letter and CV to recruitment-ke@naturalstate.org. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview. The deadline for applications is 5 pm EAT on August 5th, 2024.
