Senior Director, Conservation Programs

Key Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Conservation, Environmental Studies, or a related field.
  
• 15 years of conservation experience relevant to the responsibilities outlined above.
  
• At least 7+ years managing professional staff, working with cross-functional teams and large projects.
  
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders and collaborate across cross-functional teams.
  
• Demonstrated leadership experience in managing professional staff.
  
• International experience and knowledge of the donor landscape is desirable.
  
• Proven ability to identify challenges, develop solutions, and make sound decisions under pres- sure.
  
• Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, cost control, and financial reporting.
  
• In-depth understanding of conservation principles, practices, and relevant policies.
  
• Strong project management skills
  
• Fluency in English and French is required.
  
• Ability to translate strategy into action.
  
• Lived conservation experience in Africa.
  
• Ability and willingness to travel to remote locations as required.
  

Program Leadership and Oversight

• Lead the execution of African Wildlife Foundation’s conservation programs and strategies, en suring alignment with AWF’s Theory of Change and business plan, institutional priorities and funding objectives.
  
• Ensure timely and on-budget delivery of program results as defined in the institutional balanced scorecard.
  
• Oversee and guide teams to ensure programs remain on track and meet established standards and donor requirements.
  
• Cultivate a culture of performance, innovation, learning, and accountability to ensure AWF’s field presence remains nimble, relevant, and responsive to rapidly evolving policy, ecological, and funding environments.
  
• Lead the annual departmental work-planning processes, ensuring effective coordination and adherence to established strategies, conservation targets, and timelines.
  
• Lead the departmental budget development process, identifying areas for improvement, efficiency, and alignment with institutional priorities.
  
• Foster cross-country and cross-functional collaboration, knowledge sharing, and problem-solving to strengthen the collective impact of AWF’s country portfolio.
  
• Identify strategic needs across programs and serve as the focal point for designing solutions and driving new innovations in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
  
• Represent AWF in key forums and events to showcase AWF’s programs and impact, and to cultivate new opportunities and partnerships.
  

Institutional Effectiveness and Culture Building

• Present program impacts and storytelling to donors, partners, and other stakeholders as requested by other divisions.
  
• Champion the implementation of African Wildlife Foundation processes, policies, and procedures.
  
• Cultivate a culture of strong performance and accountability.
  
• Model AWF’s values in all interactions and decision-making.
  
• Support the design of initiatives and programs critical to delivering AWF’s strategy and theory of change.
  
• Support a transparent reporting and peer-review process that strengthens accountability across the organization.
  
• Regularly evaluate the evolving landscape trends and developments in the biodiversity and conservation sector and propose best practices.