Head of the African Centre for Nature Restoration & Resilience 21 views0 applications

Position Type: Full time.

Contract: Full-time, with an initial contract until December 2025 (renewable) based on performance and funding availability.

Report to: Director of Catalyst.

Location: In the interim, the post will be stationed atNATURAL STATE’sNanyuki Office, Kenya. Once built, the African Centre for Nature Restoration & Resilience just north of Nanyuki will be the main station of work. The post holder will also be required to attend meetings at the NATURAL STATE Research Centre near Lewa Conservancy and the Nanyuki office, and undertake field visits in Kenya and international trips where needed.

About NATURAL STATE

NATURAL STATE’s aim is to catalyse nature restoration across Africa and the globe to tackle the biodiversity and climate crises and support resilient communities. NATURAL STATE and partners are creating the African Centre for Nature Restoration & Resilience – a pioneering hub for accelerating nature restoration efforts across Africa and beyond. The Centre is designed to foster leadership, share best practices, and provide specialised training to support nature restoration and regenerative agriculture projects. The Centre will accommodate trainees, researchers, and partners, with the ultimate goal of catalysing the transition to a sustainable nature-based economy.

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.